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BX  8966  .A3  1888 
Alexander,  ^-  ^-   ^   ^^^ 
A  Digest  of  the  Acts  and 
j\   uxyc-^         ,   General 
Proceedings  oi  tne  v:xci 


A  DIGEST 


THE    ACTS    AND    TROCEEDINGS 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

OF  THE 

'WeSBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

IN    THH    IINMTED   STATES, 

FEOM  ITS  ORGANIZATION  TO  THE  ASSEMBLY  OF  1887,  INCLUSrV'E, 

WITH 

CERTAIN  HISTORICAL  AND  EXPLANATORY  NOTES. 


BY 

Rev.    AV.    a.    ALEXANDER. 


RICHMOND,     V  A. : 

PrKSBYTERIAN  CoMMITTKK  of  PrBLIOATlON. 

18  8  8. 


Copyright 

BY 

Jas.    K.    Hazen,    D.  D., 
188  8. 


Printed    by 
Whittet    &    Sheppehso X. 

1!  1  r  II  M  u  N  II  ,   \'  A  . 


P  R  E  F  A  G  E. 


The  compiler  was  led  to  undertake  the  preparation  of  a  Digest 
of  the  General  Assembly's  acts  and  proceedings  by  the  conviction 
that  a  need  for  such  a  work  is  now  sensibly  felt.  Our  Church  has 
occupied  suflBciently  long  a  place  in  the  sisterhood  of  churches,  and 
has  arrived  at  that  point  in  the  formulation  of  her  principles,  and 
the  general  plan  on  which  she  conducts  her  agencies  has  attained 
that  stage  of  maturity  and  definiteness,  that  a  compilation  of  her 
documentary  histor}',  in  a  systematic  and  convenient  form,  may 
with  propriety  be  presented  to  the  public.  The  deliverances  of 
her  highest  court  are  sufficiently  varied,  and  on  subjects  of  such 
importance,  as  to  make  it  desirable  that  for  purposes  of  reference 
they  be  gathered  into  a  single  collection.  Particularly  is  the  need 
of  such  a  collection  felt  by  the  younger  generation  of  ministers 
and  office-bearers  in  the  Church,  who  are  without  access  to  the 
minutes  of  our  earlier  years,  and  so  without  means  of  acquainting 
themselves  with  the  earlier  acts  and  deliverances  of  our  highest 
court. 

I  found  it  to  be  a  matter  of  no  little  difficulty  to  settle  on  a  suit- 
able outline  or  scheme  of  classilication  for  the  matter  which  I  find 
in  the  voluminous  minutes  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century; 
also  to  arrive  at  some  general  principle  of  inclusion  and  exclusion. 
What  one  might  think  to  be  of  little  importance,  scarcely  worthy 
of  being  embodied  in  this  work,  another  might  regard  as  of  con- 
siderable value,  and  look  upon  its  omission  as  a  serious  blemish. 
Since  the  judgment  of  no  two,  perhaps,  would  coincide  as  to  the 
extent  to  which  such  a  work  bhould  be  al)ridged,  1  resolved  to  make 
the  compilation  exhaustive,  with  full  and  copious  references  to  the 
minutes,  giving  the  year  and  page  where  each  citation  is  to  be 
found.  It  may  be  found  prudent  in  subsequent  editions  to  abridge 
this  work  somewhat  in  its  least  important  parts.  I  have,  however, 
presumed  to  make  this  draft  complete,  and  that  the  voice  of  the 
Church  should  decide  what  abridgment,  if  any,  is  desirable.     Mean- 


IV  PRKFACK. 

while,  I  have  weeded  out  of  every  passage  that  I  have  embodied 
all  extraneous  matter;  and  I  hope  that  my  work  will  be  found  to 
be  at  once  concise  and  complete.  I  have  taken  no  liberties  with 
the  text  other  than  the  elimination  of  some  of  the  formal  and  super- 
fluous verbiage  in  which  the  record  of  a  transaction  is  often 
wrapped  up,  and  the  exclusion  from  each  minute  of  whatever  is 
not  pertinent  to  the  subject  which  I  seek  to  illustrate. 

This  work  will  be  found  to  differ  somewhat  in  its  plan  from  that 
adopted  in  other  well-known  Digests,  in  the  prominence  I  have 
given  to  those  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  that  have 
reference  to  its  executive  agencies,  and  the  several  departments  of 
its  work  entrusted  to  the  supervision  of  its  secretaries  and  execu- 
tive committees.  This  prominence,  however,  is  due  to  the  fact 
that  such  njatters  have  prominently  occupied  the  Assembly's  at- 
tention. No  one  line  of  business  has  engaged  so  much  of  the 
Church's  care,  or  called  for  more  frequent  and  careful  considera- 
tion in  lier  successive  Assemblies,  from  the  very  first,  than  the 
establishment  and  regulation  of  her  executive  agencies,  and  legis- 
lation upon  the  practical  questions  growing  out  of  their  relations 
to  inferior  courts  and  the  general  work.  When  the  Church  entered 
upon  its  separate  career,  twenty-six  years  ago,  it  was  without 
boards,  endowments,  or  an)'  organized  agencies  in  her  bounds  sub- 
ject to  her  control  and  at  hand  to  do  her  work.  Pier  first  duty 
was  the  inauguration  of  central  agencies,  or  arms,  for  that  pur- 
pose, the  determination  of  their  duties,  limitations,  etc. ;  and  to 
this  she  first  applied  herself.  Discarding  the  old  plan  of  inde- 
pendent l)oards,  the  Assembly  decided  to  do  itself  all  tlie  ap- 
propriate work  of  the  Church,  establishing  committees  for  that 
purpose,  to  be  appointed  annually,  with  power  to  act  ad  interim. 
only  in  such  manner  and  subject  to  such  rules  as  the  Assembly 
might  prescribe.  This  plan,  steadfastly  adhered  to  up  to  the  pre- 
sent, is,  perhaps,  next  to  her  pronounced  views  on  the  spirituality' 
of  the  Church,  and  her  well-known  conservatism,  the  most  dis- 
tinctive feature  in  tl)e  histoiy  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  manner  in  which  these  committees  conducted  their  work 
during  the  disastrous  period  of  war,  and  the  unsettled  period  that 
for  several  years  thereafter  ensued,  until  each  was  on  a  sure  and 
established  basis,  will  be  found  liere  faithfully  outlined. 

In  a  number  of  instancies  where  the  record  in  the  Minutes  was 
found  to  be  vague,  I  have  secured  from  synodical  and  presbyterial 


PKKFACE, 


clerks  transcripts  from  their  records,  and  added  the  same  as  an 
explanatory  note  on  the  minute  in  hand,  thus  bringing  out  the  As- 
sembly's action  in  greater  clearness.  In  a  few  instances  I  have 
added  elaborate  notes  gathered  from  the  official  records  of  other 
bodies,  where  such  appeared  to  be  of  value  in  completing  the 
record  of  transactions  only  a  part  of  which  is  found  in  the  Assem- 
bly's Minutes.  Such  are  the  accounts  of  the  Atlanta  convention 
of  1861,  the  notes  cm  the  United  Synod  of  the  South,  and  the 
Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri.  These  bodies  having  blended 
their  organic  life  with  that  of  the  Assembly,  and  being  now  con- 
stituent parts  of  the  Church,  it  seemed  right  that  some  note  rela- 
tive to  their  respective  principles  and  their  separate  history  should 
be  preserved  in  connection  with  the  minute  of  their  reception  by 
the  Assembly. 

I  believe  the  statistics  whicli  are  found  at  the  end  of  tiie  volume 
are  substantially  accurate.  The  lack  of  any  adequate  plan  of 
reporting  such  information  to  the  Assembly  renders  the  task  of 
compiling  such  tables  exceedingly  difficult.  We  trust  they  may 
prove  sufficiently  ample  to  afford  an  idea  of  the  Church's  annual 
progress.  It  was  not  until  a  few  yeai-s  after  the  war  that  these 
facts  began  to  be  so  gathered  and  published  as  to  be  available  or 
valuable  as  statistics. 

If  brethren  throughout  the  Church  discover  any  defects  in  the 
plan  or  the  execution  of  this  work,  I  would  be  greatly  obliged  if 
they  would  communicate  the  same  to  me,  with  any  suggestions 
that  may  occur  to  then),  that  I  may  have  the  benefit  of  them  in 
any  subsequent  revision. 

I  desire  to  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  friends  in  various 
localities  who  have  materially  aided  me  in  various  ways,  and  with- 
out whose  encouragement  this  work  would  not  have  been  prose- 
cuted to  conjpletion.  I  would  particularly  recognize  my  obliga- 
tion in  tbis  line  to  Kev.  M.  R.  Raynumd,  D.  D.,  Rev.  B.  M. 
Palmer,  I).  D.,  Rev.  .1.  R.  Wilson,  D,  D.,  stated  clerk  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Converse,  of  Louisville,  Ky. 

W.  A.  A. 

Canton,  Miss.,  Fifbrmiri/.  1888. 


CONTENTS. 


BOOK  I.— THE  CONSTITUTION. 

Title  of  the  Church.  Constitution  adopted.  Mode  of  amending  the  stan- 
dards :  1,  The  Confession  of  Faith  ;  2,  The  Book  of  Church  Order.  The 
Confession  of  Faith  amended  in  the  matter  of  the  deceased  wife's  sister. 
The  phrase,  "He  descended  into  hell,"  in  the  Creed.  Hevision  of  the  Form 
of  Government  and  Book  of  Discipline.  Indexing  the  Book  of  Church 
Order.  Eevision  of  the  Directory  of  Worship.  Informality  in  sending  down 
overtures.      .............. 


BOOK  II.— THE  CONGEEGATION. 

CHAPTER  I.— Its  Members. 
When  in  good  and  regular  standing.  How  members  may  be  received  from 
other  denominations;  meaning  of  the  word  "Church."  Dismissing  mem- 
bei-s  to  churches  in  other  denominations.  Letters  dismissing  members  must 
inchide  their  children.  Dismissi(Ui  of  non-communing  membei-s.  Notify- 
ing the  church  to  which  a  member  is  dismissed.  Koll  of  non-communing 
membei-s  to  be  kept  by  sessions  and  reported.  Losses  in  membership.  Re- 
turning an  uniised  letter  of  dismission  reinstates  one  in  ftill  membership. 
Non-contribiitiug  members.  Certificates  of  reception.  Congregational 
meetings,  for  what  i^urposes  they  may  be  called,  and  who  may  preside  over 
them.     Church  courts  may  not  make  rules  of  memliei-ship.  .  .  .20 

CH.IPTER  II.  —  MiMSTKKs. 
Reception  of  ministers  from  the  Northern  Assembly  \\'ithout  letters.  Recep- 
tion from  foreign  countries.  Dismissing  ministers  to  other  bodies.  De- 
clines to  make  the  examinaticm  rule  optional,  or  to  embody  it  into  the  con- 
stitution. The  subscribing  of  ministers  admitted  into  a  Presbytery.  "Who 
may  vote  in  calling  i»pastor.  Amending  the  form  of  a  call.  A  call  without 
promise  of  adequate  salary.  The  pastoral  relation  not  to  be  lightly  broken. 
Presbytery's  power  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation.  Ministers  supplying 
churches  out  of  our  connecticm.  Ministers  without  charge.  The  stated  sup- 
ply, and  his  official  status.  Ordination  sine  titulo.  Restoration  of  a  deposed 
minister.  An  additional  cla.ss  of  ministers.  Licensure  and  ordination  in 
extraordinary  cases.  Lay  evangelists.  Women  preachere.  Doubting  and 
dissenting  ministei-s.  Lay  exhorters.  Licentiates  in  the  evangelistic  service. 
The  Latin  thesis  as  a  part  of  trial.  Lowering  the  standard  for  licensure. 
\Miat  a  lictntiatf  may  do.      Licentiates  ft)r  colored  peo])le.      Partial  license      23 


■viii  Contents. 

CHAPTER  III.— EuLiNG  Elders. 
How  long  an  elder's  membership  in  Presbytery  continues.  An  elder  re^jre- 
senting  two  or  more  associated  cliurches.  Elders  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Presbyteries  to  conduct  services  in  neighboring  congregations.  Presbyterial 
courtesies  to  ruling  elders.  An  elder  who  has  moved  from  the  bounds  of  his 
church.  An  elder  returning  a  lettre  of  dismission  resumes  his  functions. 
Demission  of  elders  and  deacons.  Functions  of  a  single  elder.  The  exami- 
nation of  elders  on  the  standards  before  oi'dination.  The  elder-moderator- 
ship.      .............     3i 

CHAPTER  IV.— Deacons. 
Demission  of  deacons.     Relation  of  deacons  to  the  session.     The  diaconate  in 
its  relations  to  the  agencies  of  the  Church.    .......     42 


BOOK  III.— CHURCH  COURTS. 

CHAPTER  I.— The  Session. 
May  one  elder  constitute  a  valid  session.     Quorum  of  a  session.     Citation  of 
members  of  session.     Sessions  may  not  instruct  their  representatives.     Have 
no  power  to  make  new  rules  of  membership.     Who  may  moderate  the  ses- 
sion.    For  what  purposes  the  session  maj'  call  a  congregational  meeting.       .     44 

CHAPTER  IL  — The  Peesbyteey. 
The  original  Presbyteries.  Presbyterial  changes  in  Georgia.  Potomac  and 
Winchester.  New"  Presbyteries.  Presbyteries  that  have  disappeared  from 
the  roll.  Charleston  Union  Presbytery.  Sao  Paulo.  Hangchow.  Who 
may  serve  on  Presbyterial  committees.  Seating  elders  in  Presbj'tery  who 
have  not  been  appointed.  Change  in  the  number  of  elders  necessary  to  a 
quorum.  Presbyterial  meeting  away  from  place  appointed  for  it.  Shall 
meet  twice  a  year.  Has  discretion  as  to  manner  of  organizing  new  churches. 
Original  jurisdiction  over  elders  and  members.  Elders  in  Presbytery  are 
representatives,  not  delegates.  Who  may  sit  in  a  commission  of  Presbytery. 
Number  required  to  constitute  a  commission.  Quorum  of  a  commission. 
Topics  for  Presbyterial  narratives.     Narratives  must  be  signed.     .         .         .47 

CHAPTER  III.— The  Synod. 
The  original  Synods.  Other  Synods  received.  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and 
Florida  organized.  Division  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  refused.  Boundary 
changes  in  various  Synods.  Assembly  changes  time  of  a  Synod's  meeting. 
A  meeting  held  out  of  time  legalized.  Synods  ordered  by  Assembly  to  meet. 
Synod  must  specify  the  object  when  it  orders  Presbytery  to  meet.  Synod 
may  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet  inst<iiiter.  Biennial  meetings.  Quorum. 
Record  of  absentees.  No  power  to  amend  the  records  of  an  inferior  court. 
Names  of  churches  rei)resented  by  elders  should  be  given.  What  may  go 
into  the  minutes.  Assembly  may  demand  the  records  of  a  Synod.  Copy 
of  records  sent  up  for  review.  Minutes  must  be  signed.  How  a  Synod  may 
be  divided.     Who  may  vote  on  approval  of  Presbyterial  records.  .         .     59 

CHAPTER  IV.— The  General  Assembly. 
The  Assembly  organized.     The  Atlanta  convention.     Seating  members  without 
commissions.     Term  for  which  a  commissioner  is  chosen.     Two-vear  terms. 


Contents.  ix 

Commissioners  leaving  before  Assemblj'  adjourns.  The  privilege  of  delib- 
erating extended  to  secretaries  and  clerks.  Term  of  clerk's  service.  Duties 
and  expenses  of  the  clerks.  Treasurer  of  the  Assembly.  His  accounts  to  be 
published  in  the  Minutes.  A  reporter  for  the  Assembly's  proceedings.  Kev. 
"William  Brown,  D.  1).  Time  of  the  Assembly's  meetings.  Biennial  meet- 
ings. Place  of  meetings.  Rules  adopted.  Ordered  revised.  New  Parlia- 
mentary Bules.  Accepting  invitations.  Elt'ctioueeriug  pamphlets.  Prayer 
for  the  Assembly.  Permanent  standing  committees.  Overtures  and  memo- 
rials, hoM'  referred.  Shall  be  printed  in  the  Minutes.  Should  come  through 
the  lower  courts.  Minutes  to  be  published  by  the  Committee  of  PubUca- 
tion.  Price  of  Minutes.  Committee  to  verify  the  printed  Minutes.  Con- 
tingent fund.  How  raised.  Committee  on  Finance.  Assessments.  The 
Assembly  without  power  to  organize  a  Presbytery.  Auditing  tinancial  re- 
ports to  the  AssembW.  The  executive  committees  to  audit  their  own  reports. 
Quarto-Centennial  services  of  the  Assembly.  Centennial  of  the  first  General 
Assembly  in  America.     ...........      67 

CHAPTEK  v.—  CxENEKAi  PowKiis  OF  Chikch  ContTs. 

They  have  power  to  make  deliverances  affirming  what  is  an  offense.  Nature 
and  authority  of  in  thesi  deliverances.  Authority'  of  deliverances  of  church 
courts  and  force  of  logical  inferences  from  the  same.  No  in  thcsi  deliver- 
ance can  set  aside  a  judicial  sentence,  llight  of  private  judgment.  Right 
of  protest.  Mode  of  representation  in  higher  courts.  Tenxrre  of  office  for 
clerks.  Commissioners  may  be  required  to  rejjort  on  other  matters  than 
their  diligence.       ............     89 


BOOK  IV.^THE  AGENCIES  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

CHAPTER  I.-FoEEioN  Missions. 

Constitution  of  the  executive  committee.  Work  of  the  provisional  committee. 
The  executive  committee  organized.  The  monthly  concert  llic  Missionary. 
Women  as  missionaries.  Women's  missionary  societies.  Day  of  jDrayer. 
Foreign  Missicms  in  the  pulpit,  the  Assembly,  the  Sunday-school,  the  Semina- 
ries, and  Presbvtery.  C(mtributious  to  sjjccial  objects.  Ft>reigu  statistics. 
Co-operation  in  the  foreign  lield.  The  Manual.  The  treasurer's  bond.  The 
secretary's  salary.  Ecclesiastical  character  and  powers  of  the  foreign  evan- 
gelist, ilixed  Presbyteries  in  the  foreign  held.  Transferring  a  missionary 
to  a  foreign  Presbytery.  Joint  Committee  for  Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 
Free-will  offerings.  Consolidation  with  the  Northern  Board.  The  secretary 
and  treasurer  vindicated.  Memorial  of  Rev.  G.  Nash  Morton.  Commenda- 
tory of  Drs.  Woodrow,  Mcllwaiue.  andJ.  Leightou  Wilson.  (  hildren's  day. 
Presbyterial  chairmen.  Our  first  mission,  that  to  the  American  Indians. 
Schools  among  the  Indians.  The  Choctaw  Bible.  Rev.  C.  Byington.  Rev. 
C.  Kingsbury,  ]).  1).  The  C-herokee  mission.  Care  of  the  Indians  trans- 
ferred to  the  (\)mniittee  iif  Hc>me  Missicms.  Our  second  mission,  China. 
Pi\)vision  for  family  of  Rev.  E.  li.  liislee.  Our  third  mission,  Italy.  Fourth 
mission.  Ignited  States  of  ('olombia.  Fitth  mi.ssion,  Brazil.  Sixth  mission, 
Mexico.  Seventh  mission,  Greece.  Eighth  luissiim,  Japan,  .\friia.  ITie 
Jews.     Amounts  called  for  bv  the  committee.        ....  .94 


X  Contents. 

CHAPTER  II.  —Home  Missions. 
The  Soiithwestern  Advisory  Committee.  Constitution  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Domestic  Missions.  Change  of  location  allowed.  The  committee 
consolidated  -with  that  of  Foreign  Missions.  Church  extension.  Chaplains 
and  the  army.  Non-co-operating  Presbyteries.  Treasurer's  accounts.  His 
salary  and  bond.  The  Sustentation  scheme.  Board  of  Aid  for  Southern 
Presbyterian  pastors.  Aid  from  Kentucky  and  Baltimore.  Southern  Aid 
Society  of  New  York.  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation  appointed.  By- 
laws of  the  Sustentation  Committee.  Additional  regulations.  The  commit- 
tee's financial  year.  Loans  for  erecting  church  edifices.  Bureaii  of  Informa- 
tion. Begging.  Manses.  Minimum  salary.  Grouping  churches.  Separ- 
ation of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions.  Change  of  location.  Co-ordinate 
secretary.  Dr.  Wilson  retires  from  the  secretaryship.  Dr.  Craig  elected 
secretary.  Title  of  the  committee  changed.  The  secretary  to  visit  Texas, 
Florida  and  the  Red  River  countrj'.  Seamen.  Amount  of  money  asked 
for.  Duties  and  powers  of  evangelists.  Standing  Committee  on  Evan- 
gelistic Labor.  Grouping  churches  under  evangelists.  Collections  for  this 
cause.  To  be  conducted  separately  from  Sustentation.  Non-co-operating 
churches.  Presbyterial  visitation.  Presbyterial  reports.  Work  in  Texas. 
Column  for  this  fund.  Synodical  evangelist.  Evangelism  in  the  seminaries. 
The  Workman  legacy.  By-laws  touching  the  Evangelistic  work.  Work 
among  the  colored  people  assigned  to  Domestic  Missions.  Pastoral  letter. 
Plan  for  instruction  of  the  colored  people.  Co-operation  with  the  Northern 
committee.  A  new  plan  inaugurated.  Separate  organization  for  colored 
churches.  Appropriation  from  Sustentation  fund  for  this  work.  Five  per 
cent,  of  funds  to  be  so  used.  Presbyterial  reports.  By-laws  for  Colored 
Evangelistic  fund.  Missionaries  to  the  colored  race.  State  of  the  work. 
Disabled  minister's  fund.  A  temporary  fund.  Relief  scheme.  General 
regulations  for.  History  of  the  scheme.  The  fund  taken  from  under  eccle- 
siastical control.  Supervision  of  the  contract,  Stuart  Robinson  legacy. 
Benefit  fund.     Rules  apphing  to  the  Invalid  fund.        .....    126 

CHAPTER  III.— Education. 
The  executive  committee  constituted.  A  provisional  committee.  United  with 
the  Committee  of  Publication.  Beneficiary  Education .  State  of  the  com- 
mittee's work  in  18(56.  .  Condition  in  1867.  Questions  referred  to  the  com- 
mittee. Rev.  Dr.  Hamner,  travelling  agent.  How  to  remit  and  report 
mtmeys.  Report  from  candidates  to  Presbj'tery.  Location  of  the  commit- 
tee changed.  Powers  of  the  committee.  Care  in  receiving  candidates. 
Maximum  appropriation.  Only  candidates  of  co-operating  Presbyteries  to 
be  aided.  What  stage  of  advancement  is  required.  The  Lusk  legacy.  Shall 
the  scheme  of  Beneficiary  Education  be  abandoned  ?  Pledges  to  candidates 
be  absolute.  Funds  advanced  to  candidates  who  have  abandoned  jirejiaration 
for  the  ministry.  Presbyterial  reports.  Testimonials  for  applicants.  Ad- 
dress to  the  churches  on  ministerial  education.  Secretary  to  visit.  Need  of 
more  ministers.  Duties  of  PresV)yterial  chairmen.  Apportionment.  The 
Education  year.  When  applications  for  aid  are  to  be  sent  in.  Color  of  can- 
didates to  be  reported.  Notice  of  collection.  Form  of  application.  Day 
of  prayer  for  youth.  Prayer  for  youth  in  the  army.  Week  of  prayer. 
Prayer  for  increase  in  the  ministry.  Secular  education .  A  Southern  Pres- 
byterian University.  Maryville  College.  Sayre  Female  Institute.  Florida 
Land  Company.     Receipts  and  disbursements.      ......   179 


Contents.  xi 

CHAPTER  IV. — Theological  Seminabies. 
Columbia  Semiuary  transferred  to  the  General  Assembly.  Constitution  (jf  the 
Seminary  changed.  Condition  of  the  Seminary.  Endowment.  Removal 
of  the  Seminary.  Election  and  iuaut^uratiou  of  jirofessors.  Resignation  of 
professors.  Attendance  upon  chapel  services.  Condition  of  the  Seminary. 
The  As.sembly  surrenders  control  of  the  Seminary.  Condition  of  the  Semi- 
nary. Chanf»es  in  the  faculty.  Finances  of  the  Institution.  List  of  pi-ofes- 
sors.  The  Assembly  assumes  supervisory  control  over  Union  Theological 
Seminary.  Opening  and  closing  day.  Financial  condition  of  this  Seminary. 
Changes  in  the  faculty.  Tuskaloosa  Institute.  Agency  for  the  Institiite. 
Salary  of  tlie  secretary.  Institute  commended.  Columii  in  the  statistical 
tables.  Retaining  incompetent  students.  Method  of  collecting  and  disburs- 
ing funds.  Progress  of  the  Institute.  A  Southwestern  Theological  Semi- 
nary. Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures  in  the  Seminaries.  Standard  of  minis- 
terial education.  Change  in  the  mode  and  standard  of  Theological  Educa- 
tion. The  English  Bible  in  the  Seminary.  Extraordinary  recruit  for  the 
ministry.  Health  in  the  Seminaries.  Students  should  attend  our  own  Semi- 
naries. What  control  the  Assembly  has  over  our  Theological  Seminaries. 
Evolution  in  the  Theological  Seminaries.  Rev.  W.  S.  Plumer,  D.  D.  Rev. 
George  Howe,  I).  D.     Hon.  Cyrus  H.  McCormick.         .....   215 

CHAPTER  V.  Publication. 
The  executive  committee  established.  Depository  property  of  the  Synod  of 
Mississippi  tendered  to  the  Assembly.  Change  of  locality.  Religious  litera- 
ture for  the  army.  Books  of  Rev.  W.  J.  Keith.  Our  imprimatur  to  be 
])]aced  (m  t)ther  publications.  Salary  of  the  joint  committees:  how  paid. 
Donation  from  the  Religious  Tract  Society  of  London.  From  the  British 
and  Foreis;;!!  Bible  Society.  Quorum  of  the  committee,,  and  vacancies.  Rule 
about  examining  books.  PuV)lishing  agent.  Assistance  for  the  secretary. 
Plan  for  resuscitation.  Branch  depositories.  Endowment.  A  monthly 
paper  for  the  executive  committees.  Publishing  annual  reports.  Non-de- 
nominational books.  Attendance  of  treasurer  u^jon  the  Assembly.  Separate 
fund  for  benevolent  work.  Committee's  ecclesiastical  year.  Management 
of  the  committee  and  secretary  endorsed.  Charter  of  incorporation  for  the 
committee.  By-laws  for  the  trustees.  Publishing  House.  Contracts  of  the 
committee  with  the  secretary.  Losses  through  the  business  failure  of  the 
secretary.  The  business  to  be  d(me  by  contract.  Colportage.  Candidates 
as  colporteni-s.  Restrictions  as  to  sale  removed.  Regulations  for  the  com-  • 
mittee.  The  secretary  made  treasurer.  Must  visit  Synods  and  I'resbyteries. 
Gratuitous  distribution.  Consolidation  with  the  Philadelphia  lk)ard.  Union 
of  the  Committees  of  Education  and  I'liblication.  Memorial  of  Dr.  Robin- 
sou.  The  Kennedy  be(juest.  Itemized  reports.  Secretary's  salary.  Litera- 
ture for  freedmeu ;  for  the  Indians.  Date  of  collection.  What  io  the  Sun- 
day-school ?  Must  be  under  the  control  of  the  session.  Presbyteriauism  to 
be  taught  therein.  \\'ho  should  be  teachers.  Standing  Committee  on  Sun- 
day-schools in  the  A.ssembly.  Presbyterial  superintendents  and  committees. 
Sunday-schools  as  related  to  parental  instruction.  Parents  should  attend 
Sunday-sc^hool.  Should  embrace  adults.  ,\ttendance  of  children  on  public 
worship.  Committee  of  Publication  to  have  general  oversight  of  Sunday- 
schools.  T/te  Cfiildren'x  Friend.  The  Hunnd  Worker.  Infant  pai)er. 
Co-operation  with  the  Reformed  Church.  International  Lessons.  Contribu- 
tion   of    Sabbath-schools    to    benevolent    causes.        ITnion    Snndav-schools. 


xii  Contents. 

Teachers'  meetings.  Sunday-school  conventions.  Libraries.  Sunday- 
school  Hyiuu-book.  Preaching  to  children.  Mission  schools.  Sensational 
methods  and  literature.  Use  of  the  Bible.  Sunday-school  reports.  The 
Assemblj^  devotes  an  evening  to  the  Sunday-school  cause.  Adult  scholars 
to  be  reported.     Schools  for  colored  people.  ......   267 

CHAPTER  VI. — General  Eegulations  foe  the  Conduct  of  the  Assembly's 
Schemes  of  Benevolence  and  Guidance  or  her  Agencies. 

The  executive  committees  to  he  all  constituted  alike.  A  single  treasurer  for 
all  the  funds  of  the  Assembly,  Mode  of  electing  the  executive  committees. 
Weekly  Sabbath  collections.  Dates  for  the  various  collections.  Presbyte- 
ries to  enquire  about  collections  for  benevolence.  Presbyterial  reports  on 
Systematic  Benevolence.  Standing  Committee  on  Systematic  Benevolence. 
Opportunity  of  giving  to  be  afforded.  Supplies  sent  to  vacant  churches 
should  take  up  collections.  Small  collections.  Presbyterial  Committees  on 
Systematic  Benevolence.  Items  not  required  in  these  reports.  Printed 
copies  of  the  executive  reports.  Publishing  these  reijorts.  Itemized  reports 
from  the  various  treasxirers.  Location  of  the  committees.  Consolidation  of 
the  executive  committees.  Apportionment  for  Systematic  Benevolence.  The 
tithe.  Only  abstracts  of  annual  reports  to  be  put  in  the  miuiites.  Ketreuch- 
ment  and  reform.  The  executive  committees  to  audit  the  reports  of  their 
treasurers.  Appeals  by  one  committee  conflicting  with  the  regular  collec- 
tions for  the  other  committees.  Free-will  offerings.  Uniform  ecclesiastical 
year.     Directory  for  the  oblation.     Tract  on  Systematic  Benevolence.     Vol- 

■  untary  associations  and  societies.  Statistical  tables  to  be  published.  Blanks 
for  stfitistical  reports.     What  should  be  reported.  .....   301 

CHAPTER  VII.— Trustees  and  the  Charter. 

Steps  taken  in  securing  a  charter.  The  charter  secured.  Application  for  a 
new  charter.  Secretaries  of  the  Executive  C'ommittees  e.v  <>Jfici<i  members  of 
the  Board.  Relations  between  the  Executive  Committees  and  the  Board 
of  Trustees.  The  charter  amended  and  enlarged.  Claim  to  certain  pro- 
perty in  the  C'onfederate  States.  Trustees  to  pay  over  bequests  to  the  ap- 
propriate Executive  Committees.  Form  of  bequest  or  testamentary  dona- 
tion. By-laws  of  the  trustees.  Trustees  divided  into  three  classes.  Seal. 
Executive  Committees  to  defray  the  expense  of  securing  certain  legacies. 
Reports  to  be  published.  Trustees  holding  over.  Treasurer  of  the  board. 
Method  of  distributing  legacies.  The  Leonard  legacy.  Costs  of  litigating 
in  the  matter  of  legacies.  Expenses  of  trustees.  Expenses  of  the  president. 
Quorum  of  the  board.  President  of  the  board  cr-offirin  a  member  of  the  As- 
sembly. Members  of  the  board  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  floor.  Hon. 
T.  C.  Perrin 317 

CHAPTER  VIII.  — Voluntakv  AciENciES. 

National  Jiible  Society  for  the  Confederate  States.  American  Bible  Society. 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  Bible  revision.  Collections  for  Bible 
Society.  Presbyterian  Historical  Society.  Southern  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society.  Collecting  material  for  a  history  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church 336 


Contents.  xiii 

BOOK  v.— ORDINANCES. 

1.  -SV//;/«/fA.-Meiuori:il  to  tbe  Coufederate  authorities  ou  Sabbath  observance 
in  the  army.  Transmitting,'  mail  on  the  Sabbath.  Permanent  committee  on 
the  Sabbath.  Presbyterial  committee.s  on  the  Sabbath.  Application  to 
civil  authorities  on  the  Sabbath  question.  i)itiiculty  of  co-operating  in  the 
Sabbath  movement.  Discipline  for  infraction  of  the  Sabbath  law.  Sunday 
ue\vspa])ers  and  railway  trains,      ileetin^  of  Synod  on  the  Sabbath. 

2.  liiiptisiii.'  l^aptism  as  a  hiiritd.  May  a  Presbyterian  minister  baptize  by 
immersion.  Komish  baptism.  Campbellite  and  Unitarian  baptism.  Bap- 
tism of  the  children  of  non-professint,'  parents.  Baptism  o^  the  children  of 
su.spended  members.  Ne<<lect  of  infant  ])aptism.  Baptism  of  unconscious 
adults.     Baptism  in  extremis.     Valid  baptism. 

3.  IVWi/z/'/A —Liturgy  for  public  worship.  Directory  for  the  oblation.  Burial 
service.  The  benediction.  Day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  Daj*  of  thanksgiv- 
ing and  prayer.  Family  worship.  Pastoral  letter  on  religious  training  in 
the  family  and  the  church  attendance  of  children. 

4.  Hyinnoloijy.-  Committee  to  ju-epare  a  hymn-book.  Bouses  version  of  the 
Psalms.     Hymn  and  tune-book.     Bobinsons  hymns  and  tunes.     BeWsion 

of  the  hvnm-book.  ...........    340 


BOOK  YI.— TOPICS  MORAL  AND  SECULAR. 

Fashionable  amusements  and  social  recreations.  Discipline  to  be  enforced 
against  certain  offenses.  Card-playing,  dancing  and  dancing-schools.  De- 
liverances ou  worldly  amusements.  How  to  be  iinderstood.  Declines  to 
make  a  further  deli%erauce  on  dancing.  Slavery.  Committee  of  Inqxiiiy 
as  to  intemperance.  Suppressing  the  liquor  traffic.  Betailing  ardent  spirits. 
Gambling.     Profanity.     Involution.       ........   361 


BOOK  YII.— RELATIONS   OF   THE  CHURCH  WITH   OTHER 

BODIES. 

CH.\PTEB  I.  -  NoN-SEc;rL.\R  Chak.\ctek  <jf  the  Chvrch. 
Relations  with  the  state.  Address  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout 
the  Earth.  Prayer  for  the  Confederate  States  and  for  our  soldiei-s.  Prayer 
for  our  soldiers  and  generals.  Beligious  establishment  by  the  government. 
Memorial  to  C!ongress  to  embody  in  the  constitution  a  recognition  of  the 
•  Christian  religion.  Days  of  fasting  and  thanksgiving,  when  designated  by 
the  civil  magistrate.  O'lr  relation  to  the  civil  governments  of  the  country. 
Duties  of  citizens  to  the  state.  The  spirituality  of  the  church.  Othcial  ut- 
terances of  the  Assembly  on  the  spirituality  and  independence  of  the  church 
to  be  ptiblished.  Committee  to  review  the  testimonies  of  the  .Assembly  as 
to  the  non-political  character  of  the  church.  Competencj'  of  the  church  to 
seek  the  intervention  of  the  civil  powers.  Declines  to  recommend  the 
Southern  Presbyterian  Beview.     Stonewall  Jackson.     .....  369 

CHAPTER  II.     Oko.vnic  Union  Effected  with  Othek  Ecclesiastical  Bodies. 
1.   PresV)ytery  of  Patapsco  received.     "2.   Union  with  the  I'nited  Synod  of  the 
South.     Origin  and  history  of  the  United  Synod.     3.   Relations  with  the  As- 


xiv  Contents. 

sociate  Reformed  Church.  Alabama  Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church.  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  Kentucky.  4 .  Union  with  the 
Independent  Presbyterian  Church.  5.  Union  with  the  Sj^nod  of  Kentucky. 
A  note  on  the  history  of  the  Synod.  I>.  Union  with  the  Synod  of  Missouri, 
with  a  historical  note.    .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .   398 

CHAPTER   III.— -FftATEKNAL  CoHEESroNDENCE  WITH  OtHEE  BoDIES. 

The  Assembly  solicits  fraternal  correspondence  with  various  churches.  A  depu- 
tation sent  to  the  churches  of  Great  Britain  and  the  continent  of  Europe. 
Correspondence  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  Greetings 
from  the  Methodist  EpiscojJal  Church,  North.  Aid  for  the  Waldensian 
churches.  Correspondence  with  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scot- 
land. Also  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  With  the  Reformed  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  United  States.  State  Sunday-school  Convention.  Evan- 
gelical Alliance.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  Northern  Pres- 
byterian ministers  occupying  our  pulpits.  Letter  to  the  Episcopal  bishops 
on  church  unity.  Correspondence  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  With  the  Colored  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Assembly.  With  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  Correspondence  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  ITnited  States  of  America  with  reference  to 
organic  union.  Pastoral  letter  to  the  churches  explanatory  of  the  above 
action.  Report  of  the  conference  committee.  Appointment  of  a  committee 
of  conference  with  reference  to  fraternal  relations  with  the  Northern  Presby- 
terian ChTirch.  Failure  of  the  conference.  The  (correspondence  had  be- 
tween the  committees.  Exchange  of  salutations  between  two  Assemblies. 
Fraternal  relations  established.  Delegates  interchanged.  The  Assembly 
declines  to  re-open  the  question.  Committee  on  inquiry  as  to  organic  union 
appointed.  Mode  of  correspondence.  Amendmg  the  provisions  of  the  con- 
stitution as  to  the  powers  of  the  Assembly  to  establish  imion,  correspondence, 
etc.  Provincial  Assemblies.  Preservation  of  our  identity  and  independence 
as  a  denomination.  ( )rganic  union  with  the  Presbj'teriau  Church,  North. 
Conference  on  co-operation.  General  Presbji;erian  Alliance.  Delegates  to 
the  General  Council  to  be  accredited  by  commissions.  The  Dabney  Reso- 
h^tions.  Delegates  to  the  council  should  be  chosen  from  the  various  Synods. 
Standing  committee  to  correspond  with  the  council.     Expenses  of  the  council.   433 


BOOK  VIII.— JUDICIAL  CASES. 

Comi^laint  of  Rev.  James  Sinclair  vs.  the  Synod  of  North  Carolina.  Appeal  of 
R.  B.  Williamson  from  the  Presbytery  of  Tombeckbee.  (bmplaint  of  Rev. 
A.  W.  Miller,  D.  D.,  Rev.  John  Douglas,  and  others  rs.  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina.  (  omplaint  of  Samuel  Galloway  rs.  the  Synod  of  Georgia.  Of 
Rev.  J.  J.  Cook /-.v.  Presbytery  of  Louisville.  Of  Rev.  S.  J.  Baird,  D.  D., 
rs.  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover.  Of  Rev.  I.  W.  Canfield  v.s.  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky. Appeal  of  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  and  others  from  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky.  Of  Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D..  from  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 
Comphiint  of  Rev.  R.  S.  McAllister  and  Rev.  M.  B.  Shaw  rs.  Presbytery  of 
Louisiana.  Of  J.  II.  Moore  and  others  r.s.  Synod  of  Kentucky.  Appeal  of 
Rev.  J.  E.  White  from  Synod  of  South  Carolina.  ('omiDlaint  of  Rev.  J.  E. 
White  vs.  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina.  Of  I.  W.  Canlield  and  W.  Q.  Can- 
field  vs.  the  Svnod  of  Kentuckv.     Of  E.  E.  Bacon  rs.  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 


Contents.  xv 

Restoration  of  a  deposed  minister ;  case  of  Rev.  S.  P.  Linn.  Four  appeals 
of  W.  S.  Turner  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia.  Complaint  of  the  Presbytei-y 
of  Memphis  vs.  the  Synod  of  Memphis.  Of  Rev.  W.  McKay  vs.  Synod  of 
Georgia.  Of  C.  A.  Baker  and  others  rs.  Synod  of  Alabama.  Of  Rev.  F.  P. 
Ramsey  rs.  Sj-nod  of  Virginia.  Of  Rev.  James  Woodrow  vs.  Synod  of 
Georgia.  Appeal  of  Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  from  the  Synod  of  North  Caro- 
lina. Discipline  without  trial,  but  where  confession  has  been  made  to  a  com- 
mittee. The  right  to  overture,  appeal,  and  complain  cannot  be  abridged. 
Counsel  for  the  accused.  Refusal  to  obey  a  citation  from  the  session.  Who 
are  entitled  to  sit  in  a  judicial  case.   Courts  not  parties  in  judicial  cases.        .   512 


BOOK  IX.— GENERAL  STATISTICAL  INFORMATION. 

Succession  of  moderators.  Succession  of  clerks.  Officers  of  the  executive 
committees  and  the  board  of  trustees.  Corresponding  delegates  from  the 
General  Assembly  to  other  ecclesiastical  bodies.  CoiTesponding  delegates  to 
the  Assembly  from  other  ecclesiastical  bodies.  General  tabular  view.  Sta- 
tistics of  Foreign  Missions.  Of  Home  Missions.  Of  Education.  Of  Publica- 
tion.    Of  Sabbath-schools .529 

Index.       ..............   .541 


A   DIGEST 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

OF 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


BOOK    1. 

THE    CONSTITUTION. 

1.    Title  of  the  Clair ch. — The  Constitution  declared. 
1861,  p.  7.     The  followiiif^-  resolutious  were  presented  bv  Dr.  Thorn- 
well,  and,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Leland,  were  unanimoasly  adopted,  ^iz.  : 

1.  That  the  style  and  title  of  this  Chiux-h  shall  be  The  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  Confeder.\te  States  of  America. 

2.  That  this  Assembly  declare,  ui  conformity  with  the  unanimous 
decisicm  of  our  Presbyteries,  that  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Larger 
and  Shorter  Catechisms,  the  Form  of  Government,  the  Book  of  Disci- 
phne,  and  the  Direc-tory  of  Worship),  which  together  make  up  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
are  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyteiian  Church  in  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  only  substituting  the  term  "  Confederate  States " 
for  "United  States." 

2.    l^itU  of  the  Church  changed. 

1805,  p.  350.  On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  WUsou,  it  was  made 
the  duty  of  the  Ccjmmittee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  to  report  to-morrow 
morning  cm  the  subject  of  the  name  which  this  Assemlily  shall  here- 
after bear. 

1805,  p.  857.  The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  and  the  Commit- 
tee on  Bills  and  Overtures  made  a  report,  recommending  that  the  name 
of  the  Church  shall  be  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Un^tep  States  ; 
after  which  various  other  names  were  proposed  by  members  of  the  As- 
sembly. 

After  considerable  discussion  on  the  merits  of  the  names  proposed, 
the  vote  was  taken  with  the  following  result:  For  the  name  proposed 
by  the  conniiittee,  42  :  Presbyterian  Churdi  in  the  South,  7  :  American 
Presbyterian  Clnu"ch,  2:  Protestant  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  2. 

The  vt)te  was  then  made  unanimous,  and  the  report  of  the  committee 
was  adopted. 


2  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I, 

8.  Manner  in  v^hich  the  standards  may  he  amended. 

1861,  p.  39.  The  followiug  overture  was  referred  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  viz. : 

No  changes  shall  be  made  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Larger  or 
Shorter  Catechisms,  unless  proposed  by  three -foiu'ths  of  one  Assembly 
and  ratified  by  three-fourths  of  the  tvpo  succeeding  Assemblies,  or  un- 
less proposed  by  two-thirds  of  the  Presb}i;eries  and  ratified  by  three- 
foiu'ths  of  the  Assembly. 

No  change  shall  be  made  in  the  Form  of  Government,  the  Book  of 
Discipline,  or  the  Directory  of  Worship,  imless  proposed  by  three- 
fourths  of  one  Assembly  and  ratified  b}-  three-foiu-ths  of  the  next  suc- 
ceeding Assembly,  or  unless  proposed  by  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries 
and  ratified  by  a  majority  of  the  Assembly. 

1862,  p.  17.  This  overture  was  referred  by  the  Assembly  to  the 
Committee  on  Revision. 

4.  Hoio  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms  may  he  amended. 

1883,  p.  50.     The  following  j^aper  was  adojited : 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  provisions  for  amending  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  which  the  Synod  of  1788  incorporated 
in  the  act  by  which  it  adojited  said  formularies,  is  nowhere  printed  in 
our  standards,  this  Assembly  hereby  requests  all  the  Presbyteries  im- 
der  its  care  to  send  up  to  the  next  Assembly  a  distinct  answer  to  the 
following  question : 

Shall  Chapter  VII.  of  the  Form  of  Government  be  amended  by  add- 
ing a  thii'd  section  to  read  as  follows : 

III.  Amendments  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Catechisms  of 
this  Church  may  be  made  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  one  As- 
sembly, the  concurrence  of  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  Presbyteries, 
and  the  enactment  of  the  same  by  a  subsequent  Assembly. 

1884,  p.  250.  To  Overtm^e  No.  2  (see  Minutes  1883,  pages  50  and 
51,)  forty-nine  Presbyteries  answer  in  the  afl&i'mative,  ten  in  the  nega- 
tive, and  two  give  modified  answers,  claiming  that  the  j^rovision  of  the 
Synod  of  1788  is  the  law  of  the  Church  on  this  subject,  and  must  be 
comphed  with  in  this  case. 

1884,  p.  248.  The  Committee  on  BiUs  and  Overtures  report,  that  as 
a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  have  given  their  advice  and  consent  to 
the  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  Book  of  Chiu'ch  Order,  Chap.  VII., 
by  the  addition  of  the  following  paragraph,  viz. :  "3.  Amendments  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Catechisms  of  this  Church  may  be 
made  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  one  General  Assembly,  the 
concurrence  of  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  Presbyteries,  and  the  en- 
actment of  the  same  by  a  subsequent  Assembly  "■ — 

We  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  :  Resolved,  That  this 
amendment  be,  and  is  hereby,  enacted  as  Par.  3,  Chap.  VII.,  Form  of 
Government.     Adopted. 

1885,  p.  411.  Also  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Johns, 
asking  the  amendment  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order,  defining  and 
limiting  the  method  of  altering  the  doctrinal  symbols  of  the  Church. 
Ansioer  :  The  Assembly  recommends  that  the  Form  of  Government, 
^Chapter  VII.,  Paragraph  3,  be  amended  by  adding  to  the  said  para- 


Secs.  5-8.]  The  Constitution.  3 

gi'aph  the  following  words,  viz. :  "  The  provision  contained  in  the  pre- 
ceding paragraph  for  the  amendment  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order 
shall  not  apply  to  this  paragraph  ;  but  this  paragraph  shaU  be  amended 
or  altered  (jnly  in  the  way  in  which  itself  i)rovides  for  the  amendment 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms  of  the  Church."  And  the 
Assembly  sends  down  to  the  Presbyteries  this  amendment  for  theu'  ad- 
vice and  consent  thereunto. 

188G,  p.  56.  On  this  the  vote  was — Ayes,  51 :  noes,  6.  It  was  there- 
upon enacted. 

5.    lliis  supersedes  the  old  method  of  ametiding  the  standards. 

188-4,  p.  249.  The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenbui*g  overtures  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  as  follows :  Whereas,  The  provision  of  the  SjTiod  of 
1788  for  amending  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms  by  two- 
thirds  t)f  the  Presb^'teries  proposmg  alterations  and  amendments,  to  be 
enacted  by  a  subsequent  General  Assembly,  is  still  in  force,  as  was  de- 
clared by  the  General  Assembly  of  1844 ;  therefore  the  Assembly  is 
asked  to  order  said  provision  to  be  prefixed  to  all  future  editions  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  as  an  organic  part  of  the  same. 

Aiisrver :  The  General  Assembly  refers  the  Presb^i:ery  of  Mecklen- 
biu'g  to  its  resolution  of  enactment  whereby  the  following  paragraph 
was  added  to  Chap.  VII.  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order :  "  3.  Amendments 
to  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Catechisms  of  this  Chiu'ch  may  be 
made  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  one  General  Assembly,  the 
concurrence  of  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  Presb^-teries,  and  the  en- 
actment of  the  same  by  a  subsequent  Assembly."     Adopted. 

6.  Declines  to  anmd  the  neio  method. 
1885,  p.  401.  An  overture  from  the  Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.  D.,  ask- 
ing the  Assembly  to  annul  as  unconstitutional  the  act  of  the  Assembly 
of  1884,  providing  for  the  amendment  of  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the 
Church.  The  following  answer  was  adopted :  The  Assembly  declines 
to  take  the  action  proposed,  as  in  its  judgment  the  act  complained  of 
was  strictly  constitutional  and  lawful. 

7.  JJeclines  to  transfer  a  paragraph  from,  the  Form  of   Government 

to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
1885,  ]).  401.  An  overture  from  the  Presbytery  t)f  Concord,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  give  its  advice  and  consent  for  amending  the  Form  of 
Government  and  the  Confession  of  Faith  by  transferruig  to  the  latter 
Paragraph  3,  Chapter  VII.,  of  the  former,  which  is  as  foUows:  Amend- 
ments to  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Catecliisms  of  this  Church 
may  be  made  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  one  General  Assembly, 
the  concurrence  of  at  least  thi'ee- fourths  of  the  Presbyteries,  and  the 
enactment  of  the  same  by  a  subsecjuent  Assembly.  The  foUowuig  an- 
swer was  adopted :  The  Assembly  declines  to  take  the  action  requested. 

8.  Declines  to  change  the  mode  of  amending  the  Bool-  of  Church 

Order. 
1884,  p.  207.     The  General  Assembly  is  overtured  by  the  Rev.  R.  P. 
Fai'iis,  D.  D.,  to  recommend  to  the  Presb^•teries  that  the  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment, Chap. VII.,  Sec.  11.,  be  amended  so  as  to  read : 


4  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.         [Book.  I. 

The  Book  of  Cbm-cli  Order  may  be  amended  by  the  follo-s\diig  pro- 
cess : 

(1.)  The  General  Assembly  may,  at  its  discretion,  transmit  the  pro- 
posed amendment  to  the  Presbyteries. 

(2.)  If  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  shall  enact  it. 

(3.)  The  succeeding  General  Assembly  shall  aimouuce  it  to  be  the 
law  of  the  Church. 

Answer  :  As  no  sufficient  reason  is  apparent  for  making-  the  change 
proposed,  the  General  Assembly  declines  to  recommend  it  to  the  Pres- 
byteries.    Adopted. 

9.  Amendments  to  the   Confession  of  Faith. — Deceased  wife's  sister. 

1881,  p.  358.  From  the  Presbytery  of  West  Hanover,  asking  for  the 
appointment  of  a  judicious  committee  to  consider  and  report  to  the  next 
Assembly  upon  the  lawfulness  of  marrying  a  deceased  wife's  sister. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  request  be  not  granted.    Adopted. 

1882,  p.  570.  Concord  PresbAi:ery  overtures  the  General  Assembly 
to  take  steps  to  have  stricken  from  our  Book  the  prohibition  agamst 
the  marriage  of  a  deceased  wife's  sister,  and  other  degrees  of  affinity 
contained  in  the  last  sentence  of  Chap.  XXIV.,  Sec.  IV.,  Confession  of 
Faith ;   assigning  the  following  reasons : 

"1,  It  is  practically  almost  a  dead  letter:  2,  A  great  many  cannot 
be  brought  to  l^elieve  that  this  connection  is  wrong  from  the  Bible ;  3, 
It  has  been  abolished  by  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland, 
and  the  Protestant  churches  on  the  continent  of  Eiu'ope ;  4,  Other  de- 
nominations do  not  hold  to  the  rule  or  discipline  for  the  violation  of  it 
as  an  offence ;  5,  None  of  the  United  States  have  such  a  prohibition  on 
their  statute  books;  G,  Men  of  the  highest  attainments  in  the  know- 
ledge of  the  ancient  laws  and  usages  of  the  Jews  and  the  Talmud  are 
against  it;  7,  The  Septuagint  translation  of  the  Old  Testament  is 
against  it ;  8,  It  is  impossible  to  lead  men  of  common  understanding 
to  believe  that  it  is  incest  in  any  degree  corresponding  to  the  marriage 
of  a  man's  own  near  kin.  For  these  and  various  other  reasons,  Ave,  the 
members  of  Concord  Preslntery,  humlily  and  respectfully  pray  the 
General  Assemlily  in  their  wisdom  to  consider  the  matter,  and  to  take 
measvu"es  to  remove  this  law  fi-om  our  Confession  of  Faith." 

The  foUowing  answer  was  returned : 

"  The  matters  contained  in  the  overture  from  Concord  Presbytery  are 
of  such  f/rare  and  general  interest,  that  the  Assembly  hereby  du'ects 
the  publication  of  the  overture  in  full  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly, 
aud  that  the  special  attention  of  the  Presbyteries  be  caUed  to  the  sub- 
ject." 

1883,  p.  36.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  communica- 
tions from  the  Presbyteries  anent  the  marriage  of  a  man  with  his  de- 
ceased wife's  sister,  respectfully  submit  the  following  report: 

The  last  General  Assembly  liaving  called  the  special  attention  of  the 
Presbyteries  to  the  overture  to  that  body  from  the  Presbytery  of  Con- 
cord, touching  the  last  sentence  of  Sec.  IV.,  Ch.  XXIV.,  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  responses  have  been  received  from  tifty-tive  of  the  sixty-seven 
Presbyteries  that  constitute  our  Church.  Of  these,  thirty-eight  express 
tbeu-  judgment  clearly  and  uneciuivocally  that  the  sentence  in  question 
ought  to  l)e  stricken  out:  five  more  ask  the  General  Assend)ly  to  take 
steps  to  introduce  a  provision  into  the  constitution  by  which  the  Con- 


Sec.  y.  ]  The  Constitution.  5 

fession  of  Faith  may  be  altered  in  this  regard.  So  that  foi-ty-three 
Presbyteries — four-fifths  of  those  heard  from,  and  more  than  two-thirds 
of  the  whole  number — officially  reconnnend  the  change ;  three  dechne 
to  express  any  opinion  on  the  merits  of  the  question,  as  the  constitu- 
tion makes  no  pro%dsion  for  a  change  in  the  Confession  of  Faith ;  four 
dechne  to  express  opinion  because  the  time  is  in()i)p(jrtiine  for  making 
changes  in  the  standards  of  the  Churcli :  two  declare  the  rule  unscrip- 
tiu'al,  but  make  no  recommendation;  three  oppose  the  change,  without 
assigning  any  reasons. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that  an  overwhelming  majority  of  the  Presl^y- 
teries  favor  the  abolition  of  this  rule  as  a  law  of  the  Church  ;  and  in 
view  of  this  fac^t,  as  well  as  of  the  settled  conviction  on  the  part  of  almost 
the  whole  Church,  that  the  rule  in  (juestion  is  not  supported  by  any 
just  Scripture  authority,  and  that  nothing  should  be  contained  in  the 
Confession  of  Faith  which  has  not  clear  and  undoubted  warrant  from 
the  Word  of  God,  your  committee  recommend  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly take  the  pro])er  steps  to  have  stricken  from  the  Confession  of  Faith 
the  last  sentence  of  Sec.  IV.  of  Chap.  XXIV.,  which  reads  as  follows:  "  The 
man  may  not  marry  any  of  his  wife's  kindred  nearer  in  blood  than  he  may 
of  his  own,  nor  the  woman  of  her  husband's  kindred  nearer  in  blood  than 
of  her  own."  The  section  will  then  read:  "  jMarriage  ought  not  to  be 
within  the  degrees  of  c(jnsanguiiiity  or  affinity  forbidden  in  the  Word; 
nor  can  such  incestuous  maiTiages  ever  be  made  lawful  by  any  la^^  of 
man  or  consent  of  parties,  so  as  those  persons  may  live  together  as  man 
and  wife."     Adopted. 

188  B,  p.  51.  The  General  Assembly  having  decided  by  a  unanimous 
vote  to  take  the  proper  steps  to  have  stricken  from  the  Confession  of 
Faith  the  last  sentence  of  Chap.  XXIV.,  Sec.  IV.,  does  hereby  send  down 
to  the  Preslnteries,  l)v  A\ay  of  overture,  the  following  proposition,  viz. : 

That  in  Chap.  XXIV.,  Sec.  IV.,  of  the  Confession  ( )f  Faith,  the  following 
words,  constituting  the  last  sentence  of  that  section,  be  stricken  out, 
viz. :  "  The  man  may  not  marry  any  of  his  A\"ife's  kindred  nearer  in 
blood  than  he  may  of  his  own,  nor  the  woman  of  her  husband's  kindi'ed 
nearer  in  blood  than  of  her  own." 

18S4,  p.  251.  Fifty-two  Presbyteries  answer  this  overture  in  the  af- 
firmative, seven  in  the  negative,  and  four  dechne  to  ansAver  for  reasons, 
1st,  that  there  is  no  provision  in  the  constituticJii  of  the  Church  for 
making  the  proposed  change :  2d,  that  the  overture  is  not  properly  be- 
fore the  Preslnteries :  lid,  that  more  time  is  needed  for  the  discussion 
of  this  sul)ject. 

1884,  }).  248.  The  amendment  to  the  Eot)k  of  Church  Order,  pro- 
viding a  method  l)v  which  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the  Church 
may  l)e  amended,  not  having  been  enacted  at  the  time  the  above  over- 
ture was  voted  on  in  the  Presbyteries,  and  an  overtm-e  Inn-ing  been 
received  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Mecldenburg  asking  that  the  amend- 
ment to  the  Confession  of  Faith  relative  to  a  man's  marrying  the  kindred 
of  his  wife  be  postponed  until  the  next  Assembly,  that  a  fuller  consid- 
eration may  be  given  to  the  (piestion  (p.  248),  it  was  resolved: 

That  this  Assseml)ly  recommends  that  the  Confession  of  Faith  be 
amended  by  striking  out  from  Par.  4,  Cha}).  XXr\\,  the  foUowing  words : 
"The  man  may  not  miuTV  any  of  his  wife's  kindred  nearer  in  blood 
than  he  may  of  his  own,  nor  the  woman  of  her  husband's  kiiuli-ed 
nearer  in  blood  than  of  her  own.  "     And  the  Assembly  hereby  sends 


6  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeai.  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

doAvii  this  proposed  amendment  to  the  Presb}i;eries  for  their  advice 
and  consent. 

1885,  p.  427.  The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  answers  of 
Presb3i:eries  to  the  above  overtvu'e  of  last  Assembly  beg  leave  to  report 
as  follows,  viz. : 

That  fifty-five  out  of  the  sixty -nine  Presb_^'teries  have  returned  an- 
swers.    Of  these,  forty-eight  have  rephed  in  the  affii'mative. 

We  recommend,  therefore,  the  adoption  of  the  foUowiug  resolution : 

Resolved,  (1,)  That  inasmuch  as  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  re- 
quires the  advice  and  consent  of  at  least  fifty-two  Presbyteries  (or 
thi'ee-fourths  of  the  entire  number)  to  effect  an  amendment  in  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith ;  and  inasmuch  as  only  forty-eight  have,  in  the  present 
instance,  favorably  responded,  this  Assembly  hereby  declares  that  the 
proposed  change  has  not  been  authorized. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  (2,)  That  the  report  now  presented  be  re- 
ferred to  the  next  Assembly  (together  with  the  answers  now  in  hand) 
in  order  that  those  Presbyteries  which  have  not  ah-eady  responded  to 
the  overture  may  have  the  opportunity  to  send  up  theii'  replies  to  the 
Assembly  of  188G ;  and  that  it  be  made  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
to  inform  the  dehnquent  Presbyteries  of  this  resolution. 

(It  does  not  appear  in  the  Minutes  that  this  report  was  acted  on. — A.) 

1886,  p.  13.  The  chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  to  report 
to  the  Assembly  of  1885  the  answers  of  the  Presbyteries  to  the  over- 
tvu'e  respecting  marriage  with  a  deceased  wife's  sister,  read  a  statement 
as  to  an  omission  in  the  Minutes  of  that  Assembly,  and  the  consequent 
status  of  the  question.  The  statement  was  referred  to  a  special  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Pev.  Dr.  W.  T.  Eichardson  and  ruling  elder  W. 
W.  Heni'y,  who  were  also  instructed  to  report  on  the  answers  of  the 
Presbj-teries  touching  this  matter. 

P.  48.  That  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  adopted :  and,  as 
slightly  abridged,  is  as  follows : 

Your  committee  find  as  follows :  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Assem- 
bly, fifty-five  out  of  the  sixty-nine  Presbj'teries  reported  answers.  Of 
these  forty-eight  are  recorded  on  the  Minutes  as  voting  ia  favor  of  strik- 
ing out  the  clause  from  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  seven  as  voting 
against  striking  it  out. 

But  there  was  an  eiTor  in  recording  the  vote  of  Central  Texas  Presby- 
tery. It  is  recorded  as  voting  in  favor  of  striking  out  the  clause,  but 
its  answer  shows  that  it  voted  against  striking  it  out.  So  that  the  true 
vote  of  the  fifty-five  Presbyteries  was  forty-seven  voting  in  the  affirma- 
tive and  eight  in  the  negative. 

Answers  have  now  been  received  from  all  the  remaining  Presbyteries, 
except  two  (Muhlenl:)urg  and  Indian).  Nearly,  if  not  all,  of  these  an- 
swers were  reaUy  sent  to  the  last  Assembly,  but  were  not  received  by 
the  Stated  Clerk.  Sixty-seven  Presbyteries  have  now  returned  answers. 
Of  these  fifty-seven  have  voted  in  the  affirmative,  and  ten  in  the  nega- 
tive. 

We  recommend,  therefore,  the  adoption  of  the  foll(,)wing  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  entire 
number  of  the  Presbyteries,  in  response  to  an  overtm^e  from  the  Assem- 
bly, have  given  their  advice  and  consent  to  the  proposed  amendment 
(i.  e.),  to  strike  out  fi'om  the  Confession  of  Faith  the  clause  in  Sec.  IV. 
of  Chap.  XXIV. ;  therefore  this  Assembly  does  hereby  enact,  that  said 


Sec.  10-11.]  The  Constitvtion.  7 

clause,  which  reads,  "  the  man  may  ncjt  maiiy  any  of  his  wife's  kindred 
nearer  in  blood  than  he  may  of  his  own,  nor  the  woman  of  her  husband's 
kuidi'ed  nearer  in  blood  than  of  her  own,''  is  stricken  out  of  the  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  of  our  Church. 

Your  committee  think  it  proper,  in  connection  with  this  matter,  to 
say  that  they  have  had  before  them  a  written  statement  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Assembly,  to  the  effect  that,  owing  to  some  oversight  on  the 
I^art  of  the  last  Assembly,  the  minute  which  records  the  action  of  that 
Assembly  touching  resolutions  on  tliis  subject  is  somewhat  inaccm'ate 
as  foimd  printed  on  page  428  of  the  Minutes.  This  inaccuracy  we 
cannot  correct.  It  is  sufficiently  clear  to  your  committee,  from  the 
statement  of  y(^ur  Stated  Clerk,  that  the  only  action  of  that  Assembly 
on  the  report  made  to  it  on  this  subject  was  not  to  adopt  that  report, 
but  to  refer  it  to  the  next  {i.  e.,  this)  Assembly,  together  with  the 
answers  in  hand,  in  order  that  those  Presb^-teries  from  which  answers 
had  not  been  received  might  have  the  oppoiiunity  to  send  their  replies 
to  the  Assembly  of  188f)  (this  Assembly). 

To  the  action  of  the  Assembly  enacting  this  amendment,  a  jn'otest, 
signed  by  Eev.  C.  W.  Humplu-eys  and  three  others,  was  admitted  to 
record  without  answer.     They  assign  the  following  reasons : 

1..  The  Presbyteries  did  not  understand  the  nature  and  efiect  of  the 
action  taken.  2.  The  fault  of  this  misapprehension  rests  upon  the 
General  Assembly.  3.  More  was  expunged  from  the  law  than  Avas 
intended.  4.  It  leaves  the  Chm-ch  unsettled  in  her  whole  maiTiage 
law. 

This  protest  is  found  on  page  49  of  the  Minutes. 

1887,  p.  215.  Overtru'es  from  the  Presbyteries  of  PalmvTa  and  Sa- 
vannah asking  the  Assembly  to  define  the  marriage  law  of  the  Church, 
and  to  put  a  particular  construction  on  the  amendment  to  the  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  enacted  by  the  last  Assembly  as  only  referring  to  the  de- 
ceased wife's  sister. 

1.  The  Assembly  cannot  give  a  more  definite  expression  to  the  mar- 
riage law  than  that  found  in  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

2.  Tliis  Assembly  has  no  power  to  put  any  restrictions  upon  the 
constitutional  amendment  enacted  by  the  last  Assembly  on  the  mar- 
riage question. 

10.    77ie  phrase  in  the  Creed,  ''He  descetuled  into  hell." 

1878,  p.  652.  To  aii  overtin-e  from  the  Presbvi;er\'  of  Fayetteville, 
as  to  the  propriety  of  omitting  in  the  future  publications  of  our 
Church  the  phrase  in  the  Creed,  "He  descended  intt)  hell,"  the  follow- 
ing reply  was  made : 

The  Assembly  does  not  regard  this  change  as  necessaiy,  since  the 
phrase  objected  to  as  liable  to  misrepresentation  is  satisfactoiily  ex- 
plained, as  pubhshed  by  lis,  in  a  foot  note,  by  a  quotation  from  the  an- 
swer to  the  5()th  cjuestion  of  the  Larger  Catechism. 

11.    The  Jievisifyii  of  the  Form  of  Goreriimevt  und   Book  oj    Dis- 

iipline  hefiitn. 

1861,  p.  10.  Dr.  J.  S.  Wilson  oflfered  the  foUowiug  preamble  and 
resolutions,  which  were  adopted,  to-wit: 

Whereas,  It  will  now  become  necessaiy,  in  the  altered  relations  of 
our  Church,  shortly  to  publish  a  new  edition  of   the  Confession  of 


8  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

Faith,  with  such  emendations  as  shall  couform  it  to  the  style  and  title 
of  the  Presbyterian  Chm'cli  in  the  Confederate  States ;  and 

W/iereas,  The  necessity  has  long  been  felt  for  a  revision  of  the  Book 
of  Discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  it  is  highly  proper  that  such 
revision  should  be  made  liefore  another  edition  of  the  Book  is  printed. 
Therefore, 

Hesolved,  That  a  ccnnmittee  be  now  appointed,  to  ^\•hich  shall  be  re- 
feiTed  the  work  of  siich  revision  or  amendments  of  the  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment and  Book  of  Discipline,  and  that  said  committee  be  I'equired 
to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

The  Assembly  Hesolved,  That  this  committee  should  consist  of  nine 
members,  to  be  appointed  by  the  moderatt)r. 

The  following  persons  were  placed  upon  this  committee :  J.  H.  Thorn- 
weU,  D.  D.,  E.  L.  Dabnev,  D.  D.,  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  J.  B.  Adger,  D. 
D.,  and  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.,  ministers:  with  Euling  Elders  W.  P.  Webb, 
T.  C.  Perriu,  W.  L.  Mitchell,  and  Job  Johnstone. 

To  this  committee  Judge  J.  G.  Shepherd  was  afterwards  added,  on 
motion  of  Dr.  Thornwell. 

1862,  p.  7.  A  communication  was  received  from  the  Eev.  Dr.  Thorn- 
well,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Fe\ision  of  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment and  Book  of  Discipline,  stating  that  he  had  been  miable  to  con- 
vene said  committee,  owing  to  the  disturbed  state  of  the  country  and 
the  pressure  of  Seminary  duties.  Whereupon,  on  motion  of  Eev.  J. 
M.  Anderson,  the  abo^'e  named  reasons  for  failing  to  call  this  ccnnmit- 
tee  together  were  sustained,  the  committee  contmued,  and  requested  to 
report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

Eev.  Thomas  E.  Peck  was  added  to  the  Connnittee  on  Eevision. 

12.  J)r.  Adger  appointed  (Jhairman  of  the  Committee,  to  succeed  Dr. 
Thorviocll,  deceased,  and  otiur  vacancies  filed. 

1863,  p.  151.  The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  ditty  of 
nominating  a  chairman  for  the  Committee  on  the  Eevision  and  Amend- 
ment of  the  Form  of  Government  and  Book  of  Discipline,  beg  leave 
to  report :  That,  with  entire  vmanimity,  the  committee  ha^•e  agreed  to 
present  to  the  Assembly  the  name  of  the  Eev.  John  B.  Adger,  D.  D., 
as  chairman  of  that  important  connnittee :  and  that  there  exist  by 
death  two  vacancies,  to  till  which  your  committee,  with  the  same  unan- 
imity, present  the  names  of  W.  P.  Finlev,  Esq.,  and  the  Eev.  B.  M. 
Pahner,  D.  D.     Adopted. 

(The  vacant  places  were  those  of  Dr.  Thornwell  and  Mr.  Johnstone. 
-A.) 

1864,  p.  245.  The  connnittee,  through  its  chairman,  made  a  report, 
and  submitted  a  di'aft  of  the  revision  thty  had  prepared.  With  refer- 
ence to  the  Book  of  Discipline,  they  say:  The  main  improvements 
which  we  claim  to  have  made  are  as  follows:  1.  The  introduction  of  a 
chapter  on  the  Discipline  of  the  Church  as  it  is  to  be  administered  in 
regard  to  her  bai)tized  non-communicating  members.  2.  The  more 
full  and  complete  statement  of  the  doctrine  of  censure,  in  its  various 
forms  of  admoniticni,  suspensi(m,  exconnnunication,  and  deposition. 

W^ith  reference  to  the  Form  of  Govei'nment,  the  report  says:  The 
committee  are  deeply  impressed  Avith  the  desirableness  of  our  possessing, 
as  a  Church,  a  more  scientitic  statement  of  the  Scriptiu'e  doctrine  of 
Church  government  than  is  found  in  our  present  form.     The  svibject 


Sec.  13.]  The  Constitution.  9 

has  been  largely  tliscussed  and  the  doctrine  much  developed  in  ^'alious 
directions  since  oiu'  present  form  wrh  adopted,  and  the  book  is  no 
longer  fully  abreast  of  the  advanced  stage  of  the  doctiine,  as  it  is 
actnally  held  among  vis.  For  example:  the  book  does  not  contain  any 
statement  of  what  are  the  radical  principles  of  oiu-  system,  except  a 
veiT  imperfect  one  introduced  in  a  mere  foot-note.  Again,  onr  doctrine 
of  the  courts  receives  no  adecpiate  presentation,  nor  is  anything  found 
in  the  l)ook  respecting  the  duties  in  full  of  the  different  office-bearers. 
Again,  the  evangehst  does  not  appear  in  any  part  of  the  book,  except 
in  a  clause  appended  to  the  chapter  on  Ordination,  and  in  the  general 
reference  made  to  that  most  important  office  in  the  chapter  on  Mis- 
sions. Then,  again,  the  method  prescribed  in  the  book  for  setting  apait 
ruling  elders  and  deacons  v^ithout  the  imposition  of  hands,  is  clearly 
unscriptural :  and  the  remarkable  omission  cries  aloud  for  the  consider- 
ation of  the  Church. 

The  following  recommendations  of  the  committee  were  adopted  by 
the  Assembly: 

I.  That  the  consideration  of  the  amended  Book  of  DiscipUne  and 
General  Rules,  after  they  shall  have  been  read  to  the  body  .  .  .  shall 
be  referred  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

II.  That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  c(jmplete  their  labors  on  the 

Fonii  of  Government,  and  to  print copies  of  their  whole  work,  to 

be  distributed  amongst  (jur  ministers  and  elders,  as  soon  as  may  be 
convenient,  with  a  view  to  the  careful  consideration  of  the  same  by  the 
Chiu'ch  preAious  to  the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly. 

1865,  J).  349.  The  chairman  of  the  committee  reported  that  the  state 
of  the  country  had  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  committee  to  come 
together  since  the  date  of  the  last  Assembly's  meeting,  and  that  no 
further  progress  had  been  made ;  also,  that  the  instruction  to  furnish 
copies  of  tlieh'  work  for  distribution  amongst  the  ministers  and  elders 
to  be  exammed  by  them,  was  not  obeyed  for  want  of  funds. 

1806,  p.  37.  The  committee  submitted  their  woi'k,  as  still  farther 
revised  by  them,  and  after  it  had  been  elaborately  chscussed  by  the 
Asseml)ly,  it  was 

Jiesolved,  That  the  whole  report,  viz. :  the  Rules  of  Parliamentary 
Order,  Canons  of  Disciphne,  and  Form  of  Government,  be  adopted: 
that  the  committee  shall  have  hberty  to  make  verbal  changes  in  it; 
and  that  each  part  be  sent  down  as  a  separate  overtiire  to  the  Presby- 
teries for  their  adoption.  Also,  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication be  directed  to  publish  an  edition  as  early  as  practicable  for  the 
use  of  the  churches,  and  send  a  copy  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  each  Pres- 
b^•tely.     Then  it  was 

Unsolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Assembly  be  tendered  to 
the  Committee  of  Revision  for  the  lidehty  with  which  they  have  })rose- 
cuted  and  completed  their  labors. 

13.    lYie  Hevision  rejected  by  the  Presbyteries  and  the  work 
discontinued. 

1867,  p.  149.  The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  answers  to 
the  overtures  sent  down  to  the  several  Presbyteries  by  the  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  touching  the  "Form  of  Government,"  "Canons  of  Dis- 
ciphne," and  "Rules  of  Parliamentaiy  Order,"  and  to  recommend 


10  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

action  to  this  Assembly  with  reference  to  the  whole  matter,  beg  leave 
to  report  as  follows : 

First,  A  careful  examination  of  the  answers  to  said  overtures  sent  to 
the  Assembly  by  forty  of  the  Presbyteries,  reveals  the  fact  that  thirty- 
five  of  these  Presbyteries  do  answer  all  the  overtures  with  an  uncondi- 
tional negative :  that  four  of  them  answer  with  a  conditional  negative ; 
whilst  only  five  adopt  the  overture  with  reference  to  Eules  of  Parlia- 
mentary Order,  and  but  one  adopts  the  whole  three  absolutely. 

Second,  These  answers  nearly  all  reveal  the  fact  that  the  Presbyte- 
ries are  impressed  wdth  the  importance  of  the  labors  that  have  been 
l^erformed  by  the  Assembly's  Committee  on  Eevision,  and  express  their 
desire  to  have  the  result  of  these  labors  preserved. 

Third,  These  answers  also  bring  out  the  fact  that  there  is  a  great 
diversity  of  opinion  in  the  Presbyteries  with  respect  to  the  changes 
proposed  by  the  overtures ;  very  few  of  them  coinciding  in  the  same 
objections,  or  conctu'ring  in  the  same  criticisms. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  your  committee  submit  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  1.  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  it  is  inexpe- 
dient to  continue  the  Committee  on  Eevision,  or  to  appoint  another  at 
this  time. 

2.  That  the  answ-ers  to  the  overti;res  be  all  carefully  filed  away,  with 
the  overtures  themselves,  for  futm-e  reference  and  use. 

3.  That  this  Assembly  feels  that  it  is  due  to  the  Committee  on  Ee- 
vision to  express  its  sense  of  the  value  of  their  long-continued  and  la- 
borious work,  and  to  ofier  them  its  thanks  for  what  they  have  done  in 
their  endeavor  to  set  forth  the  great  principles  of  the  constitution  of 
our  Church.     Unanimously  adopted. 

14.    TJie  work  resumed. 

1869,  p.  377.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  in  answer  to 
Overture  No.  10,  being  a  memorial  from  certain  of  our  ministers  and 
ruling  elders,  asking  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  to  "the  importance 
of  pr(jsecuting  and  completing  the  work  of  revising  our  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment and  Discipline,"  recommend  to  the  Assembly  that  the  request 
of  the  memorialists  be  granted,  and  that  a  special  committee  be  at  once 
appointed  to  cany  out  the  ends  contemplated,  to-wit:  to  re\dse  the 
Book  of  Order  and  Canons  of  Disciphne  in  the  hght  of  objections  and 
suggestions  sent  up  by  the  Presbyteries  to  the  Assembly  of  1867,  and 
report  the  result  to  this  Assembl}',  so  that,  if  approved,  the  Assembly 
may  send  down  the  revised  book  to  the  Presbyteries,  with  a  request 
that  they  express  their  assent  to  such  portions  thereof  as  may  meet 
their  approval,  and  send  up  also  to  the  next  Assembly  objections  to  any 
portions  they  may  disapprove  of,  and  with  a  request  that  the  portions 
disapproved  of  be  revised  by  that  Assembly,  and  sent  down  for  the 
action  of  Presbyteries,  with  a  view  to  final  action  by  the  Assemblv  of 
1871. 

Also,  on  Overture  No.  3,  from  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  in 
referencte  to  the  same  subject  embraced  in  Overture  No.  10,  the  com- 
mittee recommend  that  it  be  disposed  of  in  the  same  way.     Adopted. 

It  was  resolved,  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed,  of  which 
the  moderator  shall  be  the  chairman,  who  shall  call  to  their  aid  any 
members  of  the  old  Cc^mmittee  on  the  Eevision  of  the  Form  of  Govern- 


Sec.  15.]  The  Con.stitt-tion.  11 

mcBt  and  Book  of  Discipline  who  may  be  present,  and  also  the  Stated 
and  Permanent  Clerks  of  the  Assembly,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  act 
in  accordance  with  the  answers  given  above  to  Overtui'es  No.  10  and  3. 

1869,  p.  396.     After  this  committee  had  reported,  it  was — 
Mesolved,  That  this  Assembly,  having  received  the  report  of  the 

special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  "  Book  of  Church  Order" 
for  revision  and  amendment,  hereby  orders  the  said  Book,  in  the 
amended  form  reported  by  the  committee,  to  be  sent  down  to  the  Pres- 
bytenes,  s(j  that  they  may  take  such  action  as  is  specified  in  the  memo- 
rial and  in  the  re})ort  of  the  committee  on  the  subject  which  was 
adopted  by  this  Asseml)ly,  to-wit :  That  they  express  their  assent  to 
such  portions  thereof  as  may  meet  their  approval :  and  send  up  also 
to  the  next  Assembly  objections  to  any  portions  they  may  disapprove 
of;  and  with  a  request  that  the  portions  cUsai^proved  of  be  revised  by 
that  Assembly,  and  sent  down  for  the  action  of  the  Presbvteries,  -with 
a  view  to  final  action  by  the  Assembly  of  1871. 

Mesolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Publication  is  hereby  directed, 
imder  the  supervision  of  Eev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.,  and  Eev.  Wilham 
Brown,  D.  D.,  to  print  the  Book  as  amended  by  the  committee,  for  the 
use  of  Presbyteries,  and  that  they  send  one  copy  to  each  minister,  and 
the  session  of  each  vacant  church  in  our  bounds. 

15.    The  vote  of  the  Presbyteries. 

1870,  p.  518.  The  Special  Committee  on  the  Book  of  Church  Order 
beg  leave  to  report : 

That  of  the  fifty-four  Presbyteries  on  the  roll  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, returns  have  been  received  from  forty-seven.  Of  these  forty-seven, 
fifteen  express  in  general  terms  theii'  approval  of  the  new  Book,  with 
certain  specified  amendments. 

Two  Presbvteries  approve  the  Book  as  it  stands. 

Ten  Presbvieries  simply  send  Tip  amendments,  and  exj^ress  a  desire 
for  continuance  of  the  revision. 

All  these,  twenty-seven  in  number,  may  be  classed  together  as  favor- 
ing the  further  revisi(jn  and  early  adoption  of  the  Book. 

On  the  other  hand,  twelve  Presbvteries  send  up  amendments,  with 
an  expression  of  general  disapproval  of  the  Book. 

Seven  Presb}i;eries  express  a  wish,  in  view  of  the  unsettled  condition 
of  the  present  period,  that  the  adoption  of  the  Book  may  not  now  be 
pressed  upon  the  Chvnx-h. 

One  Presbyteiy  has  not  yet  taken  action. 

These,  twenty  in  number,  may  l)e  classed  together  as  being  unfa- 
vorable to  the  present  agitation  of  this  subject. 

If  to  these  should  be  added  the  seven  silent  Presbyteries,  it  will 
make  an  exactly  etjual  division  of  the  Presbyteries,  so  far  as  the  ques- 
tion of  the  present  adopti(ni  of  the  Book  is  concerned. 

In  view  of  this  fact,  and  in  view  also  of  the  great  importance  of  a 
general  agreement  in  the  change  of  our  fundamental  law,  your  com- 
mittee recommend  that  all  these  proposed  amendments  by  the  Pres- 
byteries, be  referred  to  the  original  Committee  on  Pevision,  to  be  ex- 
amined and  incoi'jiorated  in  the  new  Book,  according  to  the  mind  of 
the  majority  in  the  Church  as  therein  indicated,  whicli.  in  its  amended 
form,  shall  be  reix)i*ted  to  the  next  Assembly. 


12  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

This  report  was  adopted.  (In  giving  it  here,  we  have  omitted  the 
names  of  the  Presbyteries. — A.) 

1871,  p.  9.  The  committee  was  allowed  another  year  in  which  to 
prosecute  the  work. 

1872,  p.  1G4.  Jiesolved,  That  in  accordance  with  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Committee  of  Revision,  the  Book  of  Disciphne,  as  reported 
by  them,  be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  to  l^e  by  them  either  adopted 
as  it  stands,  or  to  be  fiu'ther  ciiticised,  and  their  criticisms  sent  up  to 
the  Assembly,  as  they  may  elect.     Adopted — Yeas,  50  ;  noes,  38. 

(The  report  of  the  committee,  which  accompanied  the  Book  of  Dis- 
ciphne submitted  by  them,  is  found  on  page  218,  in  the  Appendix  to 
the  IVIinutes  of  1872,  being  preserved  there  because  of  important  facts 
which  it  embraces.     By  order  of  the  Assembly,  1872,  p.  178. — A.) 

16.   The  loork  again  discontinued. 

1873,  p.  328.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  answers  of 
the  Presbyteries  on  the  revision  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  made  a  re- 
port, which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  to  receive  and  collate  the  reports 
of  the  Presbyteries,  setting  forth  the  action  taken  by  them  in  regard 
to  the  Eevised  Kules  of  Disciphne,  which  were  sent  down  to  them  by 
the  last  General  Assembly,  to  be  either  adopted,  criticised  or  rejected, 
beg  leave  respectfully  to  submit  to  this  General  Assembly  the  foUowing 
statejnents  and  resolutions : 

1.  Certified  reports  of  the  action  taken  by  "  forty-seven  "  of  the  Pres- 
b^^teries  in  connection  with  this  Assembly  were  placed  in  the  hands  of 
your  committee. 

2.  After  a  very  careful  analysis  and  examination  of  these  reports, 
your  committee  have  reached  the  following  results : 

1.  It  appears  that  fifteen  Presb^-teries  have,  with  varying  majorities, 
decided  to  adopt  the  Rules  as  they  now  stand. 

2.  Five  have  adopted  with  proposed  amendments. 

3.  Seven  approve  the  Book,  but  on  grounds  of  expediency  clechne  to 
adopt. 

4.  Three  substantially  approve,  but  ask  that  the  work  of  revision  be 
suspended,  and  the  committee  discharged. 

5.  Nine  reject  the  Ee\dsed  Rules,  and  ask  for  an  indefinite  postpone- 
ment of  the  whole  subject  of  revision. 

6.  One  Presbyteiy  reports  its  vote  to  be  non  liquet. 

7.  Pour  reject  the  E erased  Rules,  and  desu-e  the  final  dismission  of 
the  whole  subject. 

8.  One  declines  to  adopt  the  Rules  as  they  stand,  but  asks  that  the 
substantial  changes  be  remitted  tf)  the  Presbyteries  in  the  form  of 
amendments  to  the  existing  Rules  of  Discipline. 

9.  Two  express  no  opiiiicni,  either  approving  or  disapproving  the  Re- 
vised Rules,  but  ask  the  indefinite  postponement  of  the  work  of  revision 
as  it  relates  to  our  standards. 

It  ai)pears,  therefore,  that  out  of  the  forty-seven  Presb^^-teries  from 
which  reports  have  been  received,  thirty  approve  the  wt)rk  of  revision, 
and  of  the  revised  Rules  of  Discipline.  But,  of  this  munber,  ten,  on 
the  ground  of  expediency,  or  for  other  reasons,  dechne  to  adopt.  Of 
the  remainder,  fifteen  decline  to  adopt;  while  three  dechne  to  vote 
■either  to  adopt  or  not. 


Sec.  17.]  The  Constitution.  13 

It  is  therefore  evident  that  a  majoiity  of  the  Presbvteries  are  in 
favor  of  a  revision  of  this  portion  of  oiu'  standards,  and  substantially 
approve  of  the  changes  proposed  in  the  revised  Eiiles  of  Disciphne. 
Yet,  at  the  same  time,  it  is  evident  that  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries 
heard  from  do  not  adopt  the  said  Rules. 

Fiu'thermore,  it  is  manifest,  from  a  comparison  of  the  reports,  that 
a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  reporting  to  this  Assembly  are  in  favor 
of  discontinuing  the  w(jrk  of  reAision  for  the  present.  Yet  these  Pres- 
b}i;eries,  Avith  scarcely  an  exception,  desii-e  that  the  Ee^-ised  Kules,  with 
the  criticisms  and  amendments  proposed  by  the  Presbyteries,  shall  be 
presei"ved  in  the  archives  of  the  Assembly  for  futiu'e  reference.  In 
view  of  aU  the  facts  ehcited,  your  committee  woidd  uuaninKJusly  offer 
the  following  resolutions: 

JResoIred,  1.  That  the  Rules  of  Discipline,  as  rcAised  and  remitted  to 
the  Presb^-teries  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1872,  together  with  all 
criticisms  and  amenchnents  pre)posed  by  the  Presbyteries,  be  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  by  him 
kept  in  the  archives  of  the  Assembly  for  future  reference  or  use,  sh(juld 
the  Church  at  any  time  hereafter  deem  it  expedient  to  re-enter  upon 
the  work  of  revising  this  portion  of  her  standards. 

Hesolred,  2.  That  tliis  Assembly  commends  the  fidehty  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  revision,  and  appreciates  the  ability  with  which  these 
honored  brethren  have  performed  the  work  entrusted  to  them,  and  the 
value  of  their  labors  to  the  Chiu-ch. 

Resolced,  8.  That,  in  view  of  the  generally  expressed  sentiments  of 
the  Presbyteiies  in  favor  of  this  course,  the  whole  work  of  revision 
be  for  the  present  suspended,  and  the  committee  entiiisted  with  the 
same  discharged. 

Hesolred,  4.  That  the  Book  of  Church  Order,  haAing  the  amendments 
of  Presbyteries  incorporated,  and  which  was  sent  up  to  this  Assembly 
by  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Revision,  be  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  Stated  Clei'k  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  by  lum  preserved 
in  the  arcliives  of  the  Assembly,  together  with  the  Rules  of  Discipline, 
as  already  provided. 

(Only  tlie  ReAised  Discipline  was  submitted  to  the  Assembly  of  1872. 
The  new  Form  of  Government  was  submitted  the  next  year,  and  was 
disposed  of  as  indicated  above. ^ — A.) 

17.    77ie  revisio)!  once  more  submitted. 

187G,  p.  211.  There  being  several  overtm-es  before  the  Assembly 
praWng  for  changes  in  the  constitution,  tmd  the  Assembly  ha\"ing  in- 
structed the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtiu'es  to  consider  and  report 
to  the  Assembly  whether  it  be  not  expedient  to  refer  again  the  Revised 
Book  of  Government  and  Book  of  Disciphne  (p.  239),  that  committee 
recommended  that,  instead  of  sending  down  these  overtures  for  par- 
tial changes,  the  Assembly  send  down  to  the  Presbyteries  iov  their  ac- 
tion the  Book  oi  Church  Order  and  the  Book  of  Discipline,  before  sub- 
mitted and  approved  in  part  only,  by  a  majority  of  the  Presbvteries,  as 
reported  to  the  Assembly  of  1870,  at  Louisville.      Adopted. 

1877.  p.  124.  The  committee  to  Avhom  was  referred  the  reports  of 
the  Preslnteries  to  the  overture  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  submit- 
ting to  them  the  ReAised  Book  of  Church  Order,  rept)rt: 

What  ansAvers  haA'e  been  received  are  mostly  ofticial^ — a  few,  the  re- 


14  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

ports  of  commissioners  to  this  Assembly  respecting  the  action  of  theii* 
several  Presbyteries — from  all  the  sixty-thi'ee  Presbyteries  on  the  roll 
of  the  Assembly,  except  the  Presbytery  of  Indian  and  the  two  small 
Presbyteries  of  Central  Ohio  and  Sao  Paulo,  in  Brazil. 

An  examination  of  these  answers  shows  that  twenty-five  Presbyteries 
have  adopted  the  Revised  Book  as  it  now  stands,  leaving  thirty-five  that 
have  not  adopted.  But  of  this  thu"ty-five,  twenty  express  approval  of  the 
Re-sised  Book  in  the  main,  and  ask  that  the  work  of  revision  be  con- 
tinued ;  whilst  two  only  ask  that  the  work  may  stop.  It  will  be  re- 
membered that  the  last  General  Assembly  sent  down  the  Book,  not 
specifically  for  adoption  or  rejection,  but  for  the  action  of  the  Presby- 
teries, without  specifying  what  the  nature  of  that  action  should  be ; 
youi'  committee,  therefore,  would  report  that  the  action  of  the  Presby- 
teries, by  an  overwhelming  majority,  is  in  favor  of  prosecuting  the 
work  of  revision,  and  upon  the  basis  of  the  present  revised  Book.  How 
shall  this  work  be  done  ?     The  Presbyteries  have  suggested  two  plans : 

1.  That  the  General  Assembly  shaU  call  a  convention,  to  meet  at 
some  central  point,  at  some  suitable  season  during  the  coming  year,  to 
whom  the  whole  matter  shall  be  committed,  that  the}^  i^ay,  if  possible, 
perfect  a  Book  of  Church  Order  on  the  basis  of  the  present  Revised 
Book,  to  be  sent  down  for  adoption  or  rejection  by  the  Presbyteries  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly. 

2.  That  the  work  be  carried  forward  under  the  auspices  of  the  As- 
sembly, as  follows,  viz. :  (1,)  That  certain  articles  in  the  Book  upon 
which  there  is  known  to  be  a  difference  of  opinion  in  the  Chui'ch,  such 
as  that  providing  for  the  demission  of  the  ministry,  and  that  determin- 
ing who  shall  vote  in  the  election  of  pastor,  shall  be  submitted  to  a  dis- 
tinct and  separate  vote  in  the  Presbyteries.  (2,)  That  this  Assembly 
amend  the  Revised  Book  in  certain  particulars  in  which  the  reports  of 
the  Presb^-ieries  seem  to  indicate  a  general  desire  for  amendment,  and 
then  send  down  the  Book,  as  thus  amended,  for  the  adoption  or  rejec- 
tion of  the  Presbyteries. 

The  last-mentioned  plan,  in  substance,  is  that  which  your  committee 
would  recommend  to  the  Assembly,  not  only  because  it  avoids  the  large 
expense  in  time  and  money  which  is  necessarily  involved  in  the  other, 
but  especially  because  it  is  thoroughly  Presbyterian  in  its  spirit,  and 
pro-vides  that  the  questions  of  real  difficulty  shall  be  decided  by  the 
Presbyteries  themselves,  the  proper  bodies  to  decide  such  questions. 
We  make  this  recommendation  the  more  confidently  because  a  careful 
examinatiim  of  the  answers — some  of  them  very  voluminous — sent  up 
by  the  Presbyteries  to  this  xlssembly  has  disclosed  the  fact  that,  outside 
the  six  or  seven  points  proposed  to  be  submitted  to  the  direct  vote  of 
the  Presbyteries,  there  is  reaUy  ver}'  little  difference  of  opinion  in  our 
Church.  Nine-tenths  of  the  amendments  suggested  by  the  Presbyte- 
ries are  mere  verbal  amendments,  afiecting  not  the  doctrine,  but  the 
style  of  the  Book ;  and  the  consideration  of  them,  we  think,  can  be  pro- 
vided for  in  a  way  which  would  seciu'e  the  best  possible  result  in  the 
end  without  occupying  the  time  of  this  Assembly. 

JFirst  Recommendation : 

Your  committee,  for  these  reasons,  recommend,  first,  that  this  As- 
sembly consider  certain  articles  proposed  to  be  submitted  to  the  Pres- 
byteries, to  be  separately  voted  upon  by  them,  as  follows,  viz. : 


Sec.  17.]  The  Constitution.  15 

I.  Chap.  Y.,  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  II.,  Fox-m  of  Governmeut,  restricting 
the  right  to  vote  in  Presb^-terv  in  certain  cases. 

II.  Chapter  V.,  Sec.  VII.,  Form  of  Government,  of  Ecclesiastical 
Commissions. 

III.  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  III.,  Art.  IV.,  Form  of  Government,  Electtjrs 
of  Pastors.  (1,)  This  article  as  it  stands  in  the  Eevised  Book  of  Church 
Order,  printed  at  Richmond  in  187G.  (2,)  The  article  as  adopted  by 
the  General  Assembly  at  Memphis,  viz. :  All  communicating  members 
of  the  Chiu'ch,  in  good  and  regular  standing,  but  no  others,  are  en- 
titled to  vote  in  the  election  of  chui'ch  officers  in  the  churches  to  which 
they  are  respectively  attached.  In  the  election  of  a  pastor,  when  a 
majority  of  the  electors  cast  theii*  votes  for  a  candidate,  he  shall  be 
considered  elected ;  but  a  separate  vote  may  also  be  taken  of  the  non- 
communicating  adult  members  of  the  Church  who  are  regular  in  their 
attendance  on  the  common  (jrdmances  in  that  congregation,  and  all  other 
persons  who  regularly  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  pastor,  in  order 
to  be  laid  before  the  Presbytery  as  a  representation  of  their  desires  in 
the  premises.  (3,)  All  communicating  members  of  the  Chui'ch  in  good 
and  regailar  standing,  but  no  others,  are  entitled  to  vote  in  the  election  of 
pastt)rs,  ruling  elders,  and  deacons  :  and  when  a  majority  of  the  electoi's 
cast  their  votes  for  a  person  for  either  of  these  offices,  he  shall  be  con- 
sidered elected. 

rV.  Chai>.  X.,  Sec.  IV.,  Ari.  V.,  Furm  of  Government.^ — The  ex- 
amination rule,  viz. :  Ministers  seeking  admission  to  a  Presb_\'terv  are 
to  be  examined  on  experimental  reUgion,  and  also  as  touching  their 
views  in  Theology  and  Church  Government. 

V.  Chap.  XII,  Aii.  I.,  Book  of  Disciphne. — Judgment  without  pro- 
cess. 

VI.  Chap.  Xn.,  Art.  II.,  Book  of  Discipline.- — Transfer,  in  certain 
circumstances,  of  a  member  from  the  class  of  communicatiug  members 
to  that  of  non-communicants. 

"\TI.  Chap.  XII.,  Ai't.  III.,  Book  of  Disciphne. — Demission  of  the 
minis  tiy. 

(The  second  recommendation  urges  the  Assembly  to  make  certain 
amendments,  chiefly  verbal,  to  the  Revised  Book  before  submitting  it, 
which  was  done,  p.  425.^ — A.) 

The  thii'd  recommendation  was  that  the  Revised  Book,  as  amended 
by  tliis  Assembly,  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  tive,  to  revise  the  lan- 
guage and  style  of  the  same  in  the  hght  of  the  criticisms  upon  those 
pohits  sent  up  to  the  Assembly  by  the  Presbyteries,  and  pubhsh  the 
same,  and  send  it  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  p.  420.     Adopted. 

These  recc^mmendations  were  embt)died  in  an  overture  and  sent  down 
to  the  Presbyteries  to  be  acted  upon. 

The  foU(jwing  persons  were  appointed  the  committee  provided  for  in 
the  third  recommendation  adopted  above,  viz. :  Revs.  J.  B.  Adger,  D. 
D.,  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Geo.  D.  Armstrong,  D.  D.,  J.  L.  Marve,  D. 
C.  Anderson  ;  p.  480. 

1878,  p.  638.  On  this  page  is  given  a  tabular  survey  of  the  vote  of 
the  Presbyteries  on  the  Book  as  a  whole,  and  on  the  sei:)arate  items 
with  reference  to  which  an  expression  was  asked,  as  follows :  For  the 
Book  as  a  whole,  29 ;  against,  32.  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec. 
IV.,  Ai-t.  II.,  For,  26 ;  against,  27.  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V., 
Sec.  IV.,  Ai't.  v.,  For,  89 ;  against  15.     Form  of  Government,  Chap. 


16  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

v.,  Sec.  VII.,  For,  35 ;  against,  19.  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  IX., 
Sec.  III.,  Art.  IV.,  43  for  the  thu-d  form.  Disciphue,  Chap.  III., 
Art.  I.,  44  for  the  first  form.  Disciphne,  Chap.  XII.,  Art.  I.,  For,  52 ; 
against,  1.  Disciphne,  Chap.  XII.,  Art.  II.,  For,  39 :  against,  15. 
Disciphne,  Chap.  XII.,  Art.  III.,  For,  47;  against,  8.  Disciphne,  Chap. 
VIIL,  Art.  X.,  For,  28 ;  against,  17. 

1878,  p.  639.     Extract  from  the  committee's  report : 

From  an  examination  of  the  statement  it  will  be  seen:  (1,)  that  the 
Revised  "Book  of  Chm-ch  Order"  has  not  been  adopted,  "as  a  whole," 
by  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  Presb^i^eries.  (2,)  That  of  the  articles 
submitted  for  a  "  separate  vote,"  those  marked  in  the  Assembly's  overture 
as  II.,  III.,  VI.,  VII.,  VIIL,  the  third  form  of  IV.  and  the  first  form  of  V., 
have  been  adopted  by  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  all  the  Presbyteries ; — 
that  the  one  marked  Ai't.  X.,  Chap.  VIIL,  submitted  by  a  committee  of 
the  last  Assembly  mider  cii'cumstances  a  statement  of  which  was  ap- 
pended to  the  overtiu'e,  was  not  voted  upon  by  several  Presbyteries 
which  voted  upon  all  the  others ;  but  was  adopted  by  the  Presbyteries 
actually  voting,  the  vote  being,  Aye,  28 ;  no,  17 ; — that  the  article  marked 
I.  was  lost,  the  vote  being.  Aye,  26 ;  no,  27. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  the  overtui'e  of  the  last  Assembly  submit- 
tmg  these  articles  for  a  separate  vote,  did  not  submit  them  as  indepen- 
dent propositions  overtiu'ed  to  the  Presbyteries,  but  as  "parts  of  the 
Book."  By  this  was  meant  that  their  adoption  by  the  Presl^yteries 
should  make  them,  not  parts  of  the  organic  laAv  of  the  Church,  but  jDarts 
of  the  Revised  Book. 

Your  committee  therefore  recommend  that  this  Assembly  declare 
such  of  them  as  have  been  adopted  by  the  Presbyteries  to  be  parts  of 
the  Revised  Book,  and  direct  that  such  of  them  as  have  failed  to  be 
adopted  be  stricken  out  of  said  book. 

That  the  Revised  Book,  as  thus  amended,  be  sent  down  to  the  Pres- 
byteries, with  the  direction  that  they  vote  aye  or  no  upon  its  adt)ption,, 
and  make  report  of  their  vote  to  the  next  General  Assembly.     Adopted. 

18.  New  Book  of  Church  Order  Adopted. 

1879,  p.  17.  According  to  testimony,  nearly  all  of  which  is  ofiicial, 
it  appears  that  one  Presbytery,  namely,  Muhlenburg,  declines  to  vote ; 
in  (me  Presbytery,  namely,  FayetteviUe,  there  is  a  tie  vote ;  eight  Pres- 
byteries, namely,  Columbia,  Knoxville,  Maryland,  Mecldenburg,  Nash- 
ville, North  Alabama,  Western  District  and  Western  Texas,  vote  to  re- 
ject; and  the  remaining  fifty-six  Presbyteries  to  adopt,  some  sixteen  of 
them  nearly  unanimously. 

The  committee  having  had  referred  to  them  by  the  Assendjly  the 
overture  from  Abingdon  Presbytery,  respecting  the  not  Innding  of  the 
new  B(j(jk  with  the  Confession  or  Hynm  Bot)k  for  five  years;  and  the 
overture  from  Paducah  Presbytery,  moving  the  Assembly  to  incorporate 
the  Old  Book's  Chapter  on  Preliminary  Principles  into  the  New  Book 
as  a  preface,  recommend  that  a  negative  answer  Ije  returned  to  both 
overtures.     Adopted. 

1879,  p.  17.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Chm-ch  in  the  United  States,  sitting  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  19, 
1879,  hereliy  declares  that  the  new  Book  of  Church  Order  has  been 
adopted  by  a  large  majority  of  the  Presbyteries,  as  shown  in  their  offi- 


Secs.  19-22.]  The  Constitution.  17 

cial  reports  to  this  body :  <iud  that  the  said  new  Book  of  Church  Order 
js,  therefore,  hereby  declared  to  be  the  law  of  the  Church. 

1879,  p.  55.  Kesoli'f'd,  That  the  C(juimittee  on  the  Revision  of  the 
Book  of  Church  Order  be  directed,  in  a  preface  thereto,  or  elsewhere  as 
in  then-  discretion  may  s  'em  best,  to  add  thereto  a  short  sketch  of  the 
Westminster  Assembly  ox  divines. 

19.  lude.cing  the  Book  of  Church  Order. 

1881,  p.  871.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ebenezer,  that  the 
Assembly  cause  to  be  pre})ared  a  full  and  accurate  index  to  the  Ijook, 
and  that  chapter  and  section  be  printed  at  the  top  of  the  pages  through- 
out, was  not  granted,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Dii'ectory  of  Worship 
Avas  undergoing  revision. 

1882,  p.  569.  The  Presl)ytery  of  Louis\aLle  requested  that  the  j^ara- 
graphs  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order  be  renumbered.     Not  granted. 

1888,  p.  20.  The  Presbyteries  of  Charleston  and  Atlanta  having  re- 
peated these  requests,  the  Assembly  ordered  that  the  paragraphs  of  the 
Book  of  Church  Order  be  nuniliered  consecutively,  and  an  index  pre- 
pai'ed.  • 

20.  Jnqiiiri/'as  to  tht^  expediency  of  revisin;/  the  Directory  of  Wor- 
ship. 

18()-i,  p.  270.  liesolved.  That  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the 
Form  of  Government  and  Book  of  Discipline  be  directed  to  take  also  in 
consideration  the  Directory  of  Worship,  and  to  inqiure  whether  any,  and 
if  s(j,  what  changes  are  needed  to  make  the  Directory  conform  to  the 
Government  and  Discipline.     On  this,  no  report  was  ever  made. 

1878,  p.  651.  The  Committee  on  the  Book  of  Church  Order,  to  whom 
was  referred  an  overture  from  Lexington  Presbytery,  asking  that  the 
Assembly  take  steps  to  prepare  a  revised  Directory  oi  Worship,  report, 
recommending  that  the  Assembly  return  as  answer  to  said  overture, 
that  it  is  inexpedient  at  the  present  time  to  move  in  this  matter. 

21.    The  v'ork  iiiid<  rttdce/i.  <i/id  the  committee  reorganized. 

1879,  p.  55.  On  motion  of  the  C(mimittee  on  the  Book  of  Church 
Order,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  ReAasion  Committee  be  authorized  anew  by  this 
Assembly,  as  was  done  by  a  previous  one,  to  prepare  a  revised  Direc- 
tory of  Worship. 

The  connnittee  was  then  reorgiinized,  and  made  to  consist  of  J.  B. 
Adger,  B.  M.  Palmer,  G.  D.  Armstrong,  Stuart  Roliinson,  T.  E.  Peck, 
James  Wot)drow,  J.  A.  Lefevre,  Thomas  Thomson,  W.  W.  Heniy,  and 
R.  K.  Smoot. 

22.  Progress  of  the  work. 

1880,  p.  191.  The  committee  haAing  presented  the  first  draft  of  a 
revision,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the 
Dii-ectory  for  Worship  be  accepted,  and  recommitted  to  the  same  com- 
mittee, with  permission  to  have  a  sufficient  lunnber  of  copies  printed 
at  the  expense  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  same 
be  forwarded  to  each  minister  of  this  Church,  and  two  copies  to  each 


18  Digest  or  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  I. 

session;  also  two  copies  to  each  stated  clerk  of  Presbyteries,  with  a 
request  that  the  same  be  critically  examined  by  each  Presbytery,  and 
the  result  of  such  examination  and  criticism  be  forwarded  to  the  chair- 
man of  said  Committee  on  Revision,  for  their  use  in  making  a  report  to 
the  next  General  Assembly. 

1881,  p.  368.  The  committee  having  availed  themselves  of  the  criti- 
cisms of  the  Presbyteries,  and  rewritten  the  revision  in  the  light  of  the 
suggestions  received,  laid  before  the  Assembly  a  copy  of  their  work, 
and  called  attention  in  their  report  to  the  leading  changes  they  had 
made. 

Resolved,  That  the  revision  be  recommitted,  to  be  printed,  and  one 
copy  sent  to  every  minister,  one  to  every  session,  and  two  copies  to 
every  clerk  of  Presbytery,  and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to 
take  up  the  work  again  for  a  fresh  examination,  and  report  the  result 
to  the  next  Assembly. 

In  response  to  this  overtiu'e  fifty-two  Presb^iieries  sent  up  answers  to 
the  next  Assembly  (1882,  p.  535). 

23.  Another  revision  ordered. 

1882,  p.  535.  Resolved,  That  the  criticisms  of  the  Presb^iieries  sent 
up  to  this  Assembly  be  referred  to  the  Permanent  Committee  on  the 
Revision  of  the  Directory  for  ^A'^orship,  vdth  instructions  to  examine 
and  compare  the  same,  and  with  their  aid  j)i'epare  another  revision,  to 
be  reported  to  the  next  Assembly,  with  a  view  of  its  being  submitted 
to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  adoption. 

The  permanent  committee  was  reconstituted,  and  made  to  consist  of 
Revs.  J.  B.  Adger,  B.  M.  Palmer,  T.  E.  Peck,  J.  A.  Lefevre,  G.  D.  Arm- 
strong, J.  L.  Girardeau,  James  Woodrow,  W.  E.  Boggs,  and  Mr.  VV.  W. 
Henry. 

In  1884,  this  committee  reported  that  their  work  was  not  yet  com- 
plete, and  asked  for  fiu"ther  time.     Granted,  p.  199. 

24.   Criticisms  asked  on  the  third  revision. 

1885,  p.  421.  The  committee  having  completed  their  task  and  laid 
it  before  the  Assembly,  it  was 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  General  Assembly  express  its  approval  of  the 
diligence  of  the  Committee  on  the  Re\ision  of  the  Directory  for  Wor- 
ship. 

2.  That  the  results  of  their  work  be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries, 
not  for  adoption,  but  for  their  further  examination  and  criticism,  to  be 
reported  back  to  the  next  General  Assembly  for  its  action. 

3.  That  it  is  unnecessary  to  continue  the  present,  or  to  apjjoint  a  new 
committee  on  this  revision  until  the  Presbyteries  shall  have  taken  ac- 
tion upon  the  report  now  sent  down  to  them. 

1886,  p.  54.  Answers  have  been  received  from  fifty-seven  PresbA-te- 
ries,  of  whom  six  dechned  to  take  action  or  make  criticisms,  mainly  on 
the  ground  that  copies  of  the  revision  had  not  been  furnished  them ; 
that  fivfe  voted  to  adopt  the  "third  revision"  without  comment  or  quali- 
fication; that  twelve  disapprove,  and  thirty-nine  approve  and  recom- 
mend the  continuance  of  the  work  of  revision ;  and  that  several  Pres- 
byteries ask  that  the  work  be  refeiTed  to  a  new  committee. 

From  this  it  appears  that  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  approve  the 
work  of  revision,  and  recommend  its  continuance. 


Sec.  25. 


The  Constitution.  19 


Your  committee,  therefore,  recommeud  that  a  new  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Rev.  Moses  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  D.  D., 
Rev.  J.  Henry  Smith,  D.  D.,  Rev.  G.  D.  Ai-mstrong,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling  El- 
der W.  AV.  Henry,  be  appointed,  to  whom  the  criticisms  of  Presbyteries 
on  the  "third  revision"  shall  be  submitted,  with  instructions  to  revise 
the  Dii-ectory  of  Worship  and  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly.  2d, 
That  said  committee  shall  send  a  copy  of  theu'  re\ision  to  each  session 
one  month  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly.  3d,  That  said 
committee  is  authorized  to  draw  on  the  treasurer  of  the  Assembly  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  work. 

1887,  p.  201.     The  following  report  was  adopted : 

The  Committee  on  the  Directory  of  Worship,  appointed  by  the  last 
General  Assembly',  beg  leave  to  report  that,  Uving  far  apart  as  they  do, 
the  efforts  made  to  secure  a  full  meeting  of  the  committee  have  thus 
far  failed.  Some  progress  has  been  made,  however,  by  coiTespondence, 
and  they  hope  by  the  next  meeting  of  the  Assembly  to  be  able  to  make 
a  fuU  and  final  report.  At  the  present,  all  they  can  do  is  to  report 
progress,  and  ask  to  be  continued,  should  such  be  the  pleasm-e  of  the 
Assembly. 

25.  Informality  in  sending  down  overtures. 

1884,  p.  239.  The  Presbyteiy  of  Ouacliita  calls  the  attention  of  the 
Assembly  to  a  want  of  compliance  on  the  part  of  the  last  Assembly 
with  the  constitutional  forms  in  the  manner  of  sending  down  the  pro- 
posed amendments  to  the  constitution,  and  overtures  this  Assembly  to 
reconsider  the  matter,  and  send  the  amendments  down  in  the  form  re- 
quired by  the  rule. 

Answar :  Whereas,  the  General  Assembly  at  Lexington  did  send 
down  to  the  Presb_s'teries  certain  overtm-es  concerning  constitutional 
amendments  couched  in  such  language  as  does  not  in  itself  decide 
whether  it  intended  to  "  i-ecommend "  that  the  Presbyteries  "  advise 
and  consent  thereto,"'  or  not;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  regards  it  as  the  intention  of  that  As- 
sembly to  comply  with  the  principle  of  the  constitution  provided  for 
such  a  case,  and  will  act  accordingly ;  and  therefore  recommend  that 
the  overture  be  answered  in  the  negative. 


BOOK    IL 

T  H'E    CONGREGATION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ITS    MEMBERS. 


26.    When  a  member  is  in  good  and  regular   standing. 

1861,  p^  11.  Overture  No.  1,  from  Poplar  Creek  Church:  Is  a 
brother,  or  a  member  of  a  church,  in  good  and  regular  standing,  and 
entitled  to  a  dismission  in  due  form,  when  about  to  remove  to  another 
church,  who  has,  for  some  time  prior  to  his  application  for  such  dis- 
mission, absented  himself  from  the  ministrations  of  the  Word  and  the 
ordinances  of  the  church  on  account  of  j)ersonal  jorejudices "? 

P.  37.  Ansioer :  In  the  judgment  of  tliis  Assembly,  eveiy  member 
of  our  Chtu'ch  is  entitled  to  a  dismission  in  good  standing,  unless  pro- 
cess be  commenced  against  him,  it  being  left  to  the  sound  discretion 
of  the  session  to  determine  from  the  circumstances  of  each  particular 
case  as  to  the  propriety  of  tabling  charges  against  him  or  not. 

See  also  the  decision  in  the  first  Turner  case. 

27.  How  members  may  be  received  from  other  denomination s.    Mean- 
ing of  the  toord  "  Church"  in  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

1884,  p.  253.  The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  records  of 
the  Synod  of  IMissoui'i  report  that  they  recommend  their  approval,  with 
two  exceptions.  The  second  of  these  had  reference  to  the  answer  which 
S^^lod  gives  to  the  overture  frt)m  the  Presbytery  of  Palmyra,  touching 
the  definition  of  the  word  chur<-h,  as  it  is  found  in  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  1., 
Book  of  Disciphne.     Adopted. 

The  Assembl}-  reconnnends,  however,  that  in  the  reception  of  mem- 
bers from  other  evangehcal  denominations,  sessions  observe  the  same 
form  as  in  the  reception  of  members  from  churches  of  our  own  faith 
and  order. 

The  action  excepted  to  is  as  follows  :  Overture  of  Palmyra  Presbytery  to  the 
Synod  of  Missouri,  October,  1883. 

"1.  Does  the  word  'church'  in  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  I.,  Rules  of  Discipline,  refer  to 
PresVjji;eriau  churches  only,  or  to  churches  of  other  denominations  as  well  as  Pres- 
byterian. 

' '  2.  Will  the  Synod  interpret  the  last  clause  of  the  section  above  mentioned  ? 
Does  it  authorize  the  reception  of  members  from  Presbyterian  churches  only,  or 
from  other  evangelical  churches  also,  simply  on  the  recognition  of  the  fact  that 
they  have  been  members  of  the  church  'i 

"3.  If  this  section  does  not  fix  the  principle  of  action  in  the  reception  of  mem- 
bers from  other  than  Presbyterian  churches,  have  we  any  fixed  principle  of  action, 
or  any  authority  for  the  i-eception  of  such  members  ?" 

Antfirer  of  the  Synod:  "1.  The  word  'church'  in  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  I.,  Rules  of 
Discipline,  refers  to  churches  of  othiu'  denominations  as  well  as  to  the  Presbyte- 
rian churches.     See  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  I.,  Sees.  III.  and  VII. 


Secs.  28-3U.]  The  CoN<iRK(iATioN.  21 

"2.  The  last  clause  of  the  section  referred  to  iu  the  overture  is  to  be  Tiuderstood 
as  meauin^  'other  satisfactory  means  of  information '  as  to  membership  in  other 
churches  as  well  as  Presbyterian. 

"3.   This  question  is  answered  by  the  answers  to  the  two  preceding." 
By  giving  this  overture  with  Synod's  reply  in  full,  we  make  clear  to  the  reader 
what  was  the  nature  and  scope  of  the  exception  which  was  taken. — A. 

28.  iJlsndssing  ineinhers  ia  churches  not  connectecl^vntli  this  Assembly. 

1881,  p.  878.  The  usa<^'e  of  the  church  is  to  grant  a  letter  of  dis- 
mission to  members  iu  good  and  regular  standing,  to  chm-ches  not 
connected  A\-ith  this  Assembly,  but  such  a  letter  cannot  be  demanded 
as  a  matter  of  legal  right. — Ej^travt  from  the  decision  in  the  first  lear- 
ner ease. 

1882,  p.  57fi.  The  vmiform  usage  of  the  church  has  been  to  grant 
certificates  of  good  and  regular  standing  to  those  entitled  to  them,  to 
imite  with  any  evangehcal  church,  and  to  receive  persons  to  member- 
ship i;pon  like  certificates  from  other  evangehcal  churches. 

29.    Letters  dismissing  members  must  include  their  children. 

1866,  p.  18.  The  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  asks  the  General 
Assembly  to  uiake  it  obhgatory  on  church  sessions,  in  granting  dismis- 
sions to  heads  of  famihes,  to  include  therein  the  baptized  children 
under  their  care.  Rephj :  This  has  been  fully  provided  for  in  Chap. 
II.,  Art.  YIL,  of  the  "Canons  of  Discipline"  adopted  by  this  body. 

(The  C!auous  of  Discipline,  as  siibmitted  by  the  Assembly  of  1866,  were  not 
adopted  by  the  Presbyteries.  They  are  valid,  however,  as  showing  the  Assembly's 
answer  to  the  above  request. — *4.) 

1878,  p.  812.  The  PresbA-tery  of  Ht)lstcjn  asks  the  Assembly  to  pro- 
vide for  the  dismission  by  certificate  of  non-communing,  as  well  as 
communing  members,  when  families  remove  from  one  congregation  to 
another.  Answer:  The  General  Assembly  enjoins  it  on  Presbj-teries 
to  reqviire  church  sessiims,  in  dismissing  members,  to  bring  their  prac- 
tice in  conformity  with  the  standax'ds  of  the  Chin-ch. 

30.  Specific  instructious  concerning  the  dismission  of  non-conununing 

members. 
1874,  p.  504.     The  following  was  adopted  in  reply  to  an  overture 
from  "West  Hanover  Presb^'tery : 

1.  Baptized  children  being,  according  to  our  Disciphne,  "  members 
of  the  Chmvh,  and  subject  to  Church  government  and  constitution," 
there  should  be  kept  by  the  sessions  a  register  of  the  names  of  such 
persons. 

2.  Whenever  a  parent  or  parents,  in  full  communion  with  a  church, 
remove  from  such  church  to  another,  the  session,  in  gi\'ing  the  usmd 
certificate  of  dismission  to  such  parent  or  parents,  sluill  silso,  on  the 
face  of  such  certificate,  state  the  names  of  all  their  children  resident 
in  their  families,  being  baptized  members  of  the  church :  and  such 
names  shall  then  be  removed  from  the  register  of  that  church;  and  on 
the  presentation  of  the  certificate  by  the  dismissed  communicants,  shall 
be  entered  on  the  register  of  the  church  to  which  said  conuuunicauts 
may  be  (hsmissed. 

3.  Whenever  any  baptized  cliild,  not  a  communicant,  shall  remove 
from  the  boiinds  of  any  cluu-ch,  to  become,  prospectively,  a  resident 


22  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

within  the  bounds  of  another,  such  child,  having  reached  the  years  of 
discretion,  shall  be  fui-nished  by  the  session,  at  his  or  her  request,  with 
a  certificate  of  such  relationship,  to  be  transferred  to  the  session  of  the 
church  within  whose  bounds  the  proposed  residence  is  to  be  made. 

31.  Not  required  to  notify  the  church  to  tohich  a  member  is  dis- 
missed of  that  fact. 

1882,  p.  572.  The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  asks  the  Assembly  to 
amend  Chap.  XV.  of  the  Eules  of  Discipline  by  adding :  "And  in  all 
cases  where  a  member  is  dismissed  to  a  particular  church,  the  session 
dismissing  shall  inform  the  session  to  which  said  member  is  dismissed 
of  the  fact." 

The  request  refused,  because  the  matter  is  not  of  sufficient  import- 
ance to  justify  an  amendment  to  the  Eules  of  Discipline.  Presbyteries 
may,  however,  in  their  discretion,  request  sessions  to  give  the  informa- 
tion asked  for  in  this  overtui'e. 

32.   Sessions  to  keep  a  roll  of  non-communing  members,  and  report 
them  in  their  statistics. 

1873,  p.  213.  The  Presb3i;eiy  of  Holston  asks  the  Assembly  to  re- 
quire church  sessions  to  keep  a  roll  of  all  non-communing  members 
(both  infant  and  adult)  belonging  to  their  respective  congregations, 
and  to  report  the  total  number  of  such  members  in  their  annual  statis- 
tical reports.     Adopted.     1874,  p.  510. 

1875,  p.  14.  The  Assembly  declined  to  order  the  column  for  bap- 
tized non-communicants  to  be  stricken  out  of  the  blanks  for  sessional 
reports,  though  overtured  to  do  so  by  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel,  be- 
cause the  action  directing  the  insertion  of  such  a  colmnn  had  been  so 
recently  taken,  and  had  not  been  sufficiently  tested  by  experience. 

33.  Losses  in  meinbership  by  deaths  and  removals. 

1875,  p.  14.  Overtiu-e  from  Bethel  Presbyterv^:  That  the  Assem- 
bly direct  sessions  to  report  the  losses  of  their  chiu-ches  by  death  and 
removal  into  other  denominations.     Answered  in  the  negative. 

34.    The  return  of  an  unused  letter  of  dism.ission  reinstates  the  party 
to  full  communion  in  the  church  from  which  it  was  taken. 

So  the  Assembly  of  1875  decided.  See  chapter  on  Eldership,  sec- 
tion 75 :  An  elder  returning  his  letter  resumes  his  functions. 

35.  Members  loho  refuse  to  contribute. 

1874,  p.  487.  The  Presbytery  of  Cherokee  asks,  "What  action 
should  church  sessions  take  in  regard  to  members  who  habitually  re- 
fuse to  contribute  anything  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  ?" 

Answer. — Every  professing  Christian  ought  to  contribute  according 
as  God  has  prospered  him  for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  and  should 
any  one  habitually  fail  in  this  duty  and  privilege,  it  is  the  duty  of  ses- 
sion to  counsel  with  him,  and,  if  need  be,  faithfully  admonish  him  of 
his  sinful  neglect. 


Secs.  36  39.]  The  Congeegation.  23". 

36.    Certiflcates  of  reception. 

1885,  p.  416.  Overture  from  the  Smod  of  Mississippi,  asking. the 
Assembly  tu  take  steps  to  have  added  to  the  Foitq  of  Goveiiiment  a 
secti(,)ii  pr()\idiug  that,  when  a  letter  of  dismission  trom  Presbytery  or 
session  shall  be  received,  and  the  member  admitted,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  ecclesiastical  court  recei^'ing•  the  member,  to  notifv  the  court 
issuing-  the  letter  of  the  fact  of  reception :  and  that  in  no  case  shall 
the  name  be  stricken  from  the  roll  until  such  notification  shall  have 
been  received.     (Printed  Minutes  of  Sjiiod,  p.  13.) 

1885,  p.  425.  Aiisiver. — Whilst  it  is  veiy  desirable  that  such  certi- 
ficates should  be  giveu^  and  whilst  the  Assembl}'  would  urge  upon  Pres- 
bj'teries  and  church  sessions  the  importance  of  issuing'  them,  it  is  not 
deemed  best  to  incorporate  this  provision  as  a  part  of  the  organic  law 
of  the  Church. 

37.  J^or  xohat  purposes  may  a  congregational  meeting,  he  called,  and 
w/io  may  preside  at  stich  meeting. 

187(),  p.  240.  The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg-  enquires  -vshether  it 
be  competent  to  a  church  session  to  c^ill  a  congregational  meeting  for 
other  objects  than  those  specified  in  our  Book;  and  to  a  congregation 
in  its  meetings  to  choose  its  presiding  officer? 

Anstner. — As  the  purposes  of  congregational  meetings,  in  all  cases, 
must  be  presumed  to  relate,  more  or  less  directly,  to  the  spiritual  in- 
terests of  the  congregation :  and  as  the  power  is  vested  in  the  session 
(Form  of  Government,  Chap.  IX.,  6,)  "to  concert  the  best  measiu'es  for 
promoting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  congregation,"  it  seems  to  fol- 
low tliat  it  is  competent  for  the  session  to  call  congregational  meetings 
for  any  proper  purpose.  In  case  the  subject  to  be  considered  at  the 
congregational  meeting  be  such  as  to  jjrevent  the  pastor,  from  motives 
of  dehcacy,  to  preside,  it  is  competent  to  the  meeting  to  choose  ita 
presiding  officer. 

38.   Church  courts  without  poioer  to  make  neic  rides  of  membership^ 
See  chapter  on  the  General  Powers  of  Church  Courts. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  II    I  I. 

MINISTERS. 

39.  Reception  of  ministers  coming  from,  the  Old  School  General 
Assembly,  North,  vnfhout  letters  of  dismission. 

1862,  p.  9.  In  reply  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ne-w 
Orleans,  the  following  paper  was  adopted:  The  Presbyteries  in  connec- 
tion with  this  Assembly  are  authorized  to  receive  ministers  coming 
from  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  on  their  giving  sat- 
isfactory evidence  of  their  good  standing,  and  after  the  usual  exami- 
nation upon  experimental  religion,  didactic  and  polemic  thet)logy, 
and  church  goverament,  without  requmng  a  certificate  of  dismission. 


24  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

40.   The  reception  q/  ministers  from  foreig)i  countries. 

1871,  p.  25.  The  Ct)mmittee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  report  to  the  As- 
sembly the  Memorial  of  Augusta  Presbytery,  asking  of  the  Assembly 
leave  to  enroll  as  a  member  of  their  Presbytery  a  foreign  minister,  the 
Eev.  Eobert  Irvine,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Montreal,  with  a  view 
to  installing  him  as  a  pastor  in  their  l:)()uuds. 

Y(  )ur  committee  would  respectfully  report  that  they  have  examined 
the  action  of  Augusta  Presbytery,  and  find  it  thus  far  in  accordance 
with  the  rule  of  the  Assembly  ordained  for  the  prol:)ation  and  reception 
of  foreign  ministers.  See  Baird's  Digest,  pp.  258  260.  We  therefore 
recommend  to  the  Assembly  to  adopt  the  foILqwing : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta  is  cordially  encouraged 
to  employ  the  Ptev.  Eobert  Irvine,  D.  D.,  in  preaching-  and  administer- 
ing- tlie  sacraments  within  their  bounds,  during  the  time  of  his  proba- 
tion. 

2.  That  if  the  Presbytery  shall  continue  to  be,  at  their  spring  meet- 
ing in  1872,  weU  satisfied  with  the  prol)ation  of  Dr.  Eobert  Irvine,  they 
be  then  authorized  to  receive  him  tt)  full  membership,  and,  if  the  way 
be  clear,  install  him  into  the  pastoral  work  ;  this  being  the  earliest  date 
for  such  action  permitted  by  the  ordinances  of  the  Asseud:)ly.     Adopted. 

1878,  p.  307.  Overture  fi-om  the  Presbytery  of  Eoanoke,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  relax  the  rule,  so  that  the\-  may  enroll  as  a  member  of 
their  Presbytery  a  foreign  minister,  the  Eev.  Thomas  Drew,  of  the 
Somerset  Association  of  the  Independents  of  Great  Britain,  with  a 
■view  to  his  settlement  as  pastor  of  the  churches  which  he  has  been 
serving  since  last  August  as  stated  supply,  viz. :  ChristiansviUe,  Blue- 
stone,  and  Wyliesburg. 

Answer :  Resolm'l,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Eoanoke  is  authorized 
to  employ  the  Eev.  Thomas  Drew,  in  preaching  and  administering  the 
sacraments  within  their  bounds,  during-  the  time  of  his  probation. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  Presbytery  shall  continue  to  be,  at  their 
spring  meeting  in  1874,  well  satisfied  with  the  probation  of  the  Eev. 
Thomas  Drew,  they  be  then  authorized  to  receive  him  to  full  member- 
ship, and,  if  the  way  be  clear,  install  him  into  the  pastoral  work ;  this 
being  the  earliest  date  for  such  action  permitted  l^y  the  ordinance  of 
the  Asseml)ly,  reiterated  in  the  case  of  the  Eev.  Eobert  Irvine,  D.  D., 
in  1871. 

41.  Hovj  ministers  may    he  dismissed  to  other  ecclesiastical   bodies. 

1876,  p.  238.  The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  at  an  adjourned  meeting 
on  the  29th  of  June,  1875,  having  dismissed  Eev.  H.  L.  Harvey,  at  his 
own  request,  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  the  Synod 
of  Georgia  having  at  its  last  meeting  pnmounced  this  action  irregular, 
this  Presbytery  respectfully  asks  the  judgment  of  the  General  Assem 
bly  thereto. 

Rephj :  The  General  Assembly  judges  it  to  l)e  sufficient  and  proper 
in  aU  such  cases  to  give  a  certificate  of  character  and  good  standing; 
and  in  this  tlwa-e  is  no  intention  t(j  rellect  on  the  minister  withdrawing, 
or  on  the  bodv  to  wlii(;h  he  goes. 


Hecs.    4-2.  43.]  The  CoNtrREGATION.  25 

42.    The  ej-aiaination.   rule  as  to   ministers  apply ijig  Jar  admission 
info  a  Presbi/terif.      The  Assembli/  declines  to  make  it  optional. 

This  rule  is  found  iu  Baird's  Uif^'est,  Bouk  4,  Sec.  46.  The  Assembly  of  1835 
decided  that  every  Presbytery  had  the  coustitutioual  ri^ht  to  examine  all  seeking 
connection  \vith  it.  The  Assembly  of  1H37  made  it  imperative  on  Presbyteries  to 
examine  si;ch  applicants,  at  least  on  experimental  religion,  theology  and  church 
government.  This  requirement  was  reaffirmed  by  the  Old  School  Assemblies  of 
1838,  1841,  1843  and  1848.  The  Assembly  of  184!i  was  asked  to  repeal  that  reso- 
lutic^n,  or  change  it  from  its  imperative  form  to  one  of  recommendation,  or  to  take 
steps  to  have  it  added  as  a  section  to  the  Form  of  (Tt)vernment.  The  Assembly, 
claiming  that  it  had  power  to  enjoin  upon  Presbyteries  the  performance  of  any 
duty  which,  under  the  jjrovisious  of  the  ctmstitution,  they  are  competent  to  do  ; 
and  inasmuch  as  the  utility  of  the  rule  was  not  called  in  question  by  the  memo- 
rialists, declined  acceding  to  the  recpiest  at  present. 

The  New  School  Assemldy  of  1838  declared  the  above  rule  making  examinations 
imperative  upon  the  Presbyteries  nuUdiid  raid,  because  it  was  the  inherent  right 
of  Presbyteries  to  expound  and  aj^ply  constitutional  rules  touching  the  qualificaticm 
of  their  own  members. — Mi»ute.%  1838,  p.  fi60. — A. 

18f)5,  p.  359.  Overtures  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  South  Alabama 
and  the  Synod  of  Ahxliama,  requesting  the  Assembly  to  amend  the  rule 
requiring  the  examination  of  ministers  on  their  reception  by  the  Pres- 
byteries, so  as  to  make  it  optional.  Answer :  As  there  is  no  evidence 
that  the  rule  has  not  worked  well,  the  Assembly  dechnes  to  make  the 
change  requested. 

1871,  p.  14.  The  Presbytery  of  Augusta  asked  the  Assembly  to  re- 
scind the  rule.  Not  granted,  the  Assembly  qucjting  the  words  of  the 
Asseml)ly  of  184i),  when  it  denied  a  similar  request.     (See  above.) 

43.  Declines  to  make  this  rule  a  part  of  the  constitution. 

The  Presbytery  of  West  Hanover  overtured  the  Assembly,  in  1872,  to  reconsider 
the  action  of  the  Assembly  of  1837  adojitiug  the  rule  known  as  the  examination 
rule,  and  refer  it  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  action,  with  a  recommendation  for 
its  adojjtion.  The  Presbytery  declared  its  Ijelief  iu  the  right  of  Presbyteries  to 
judge  of  the  qualitications  of  its  members,  also  its  conviction  that  there  was  a  ne- 
cessity for  some  such  provision  as  that  contained  in  this  rule.  The  object  of  this 
Presbytery  was  not  the  abolition  of  the  rule,  but  to  secure  its  perpetuity  by  regular 
incorporation  into  the  constitution.  Among  the  reasons  assigned  for  asking  the 
Assembly  to  take  this  action  was  this,  that  many  Presbyterians  hold  that  the  rule 
in  its  present  form,  while  virtually  a  constitutional  rule,  has  never  been  adopted  in 
a  constitutional  manner.     See  Minutes  of  West  Hanover,  Vol.  V.,  pp.  350—352. 

1872,  p.  157.  The  Committee  (m  Bills  and  Overtui-es  rei^oiied  on 
this  request  as  follows: 

As  none  deny  the  right  of  every  Presbytery  to  be  satisfied  of  the 
doctrinal  ojnuions  of  all  persons  seeking  its  care,  or  membership  in  it, 
as  the  injunction  is  highly  promotive  of  peace,  and  harmony,  and  has 
wrought  much  good  and  no  evil,  and  as  no  one  claims  that  the  rule  is 
constitutional,  but  only  of  the  nature  of  a  strong  and  urgent  reconi-'' 
mendation,  your  committee  advise  that  no  change  be  made  respect- 
ing it- 
While  this  report  was  being  discussed, '  Rev.  Dr.  Armstrong  moved 
that  the  overture  be  recommitted  to  a  committee  of  five,  with  instruc- 
tions to  prepare  a  rule  in  a  form  suitable  to  be  sent  down  to  the  Pres- 
byteries for  their  action.  After  discussion,  this  motion  was  rejected 
bv  a  vote  of — Aves,  42;  noes,  50.  The  whole  subject  was  then,  upon 
nlotion  of  Dr.  S."  R.  AVilson,  laid  on  the  table.     (P.  158.) 

This  rule  was  incorporated  in  the  new  Form  of  Government,  adopted  in  1879, 
and  is  found  "in  Art.  IV.,  Sec.  IV.,  Chap.  V. — A. 


26  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IL 

44.    The  subscribing  of  ministers  admitted  to  membership  in.  a  Pres- 
bytery. 

1880,  p.  187.     Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis : 

Whereas,  There  is  a  clilference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  intei-jDre- 
tation  of  Art.  V.,  Sec.  IV.,  Chap.  V.,  of  the  Form  of  Government;  there- 
fore. Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteiy  of  Memphis  does  hereliy  overtiu*e 
the  General  Assembly  to  interpret  the  phi'ase,  "which  shall  be  sub- 
scribed by  all  admitted  to  membership."  Does  it  mean  all  of  other 
denominations,  or  all  admitted  to  membership  at  their  ordination,  or 
all  in  the  loidt  st  sense,  including  those  ccjming  from  other  Presbyteries 
to  our  own  Chui'ch,  and  those  who  are  ah'eady  members  ? 

The  following  answer  is  given : 

In  the  judgijient  of  this  Assembly,  the  provision  of  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  IV., 
Ai't.  v..  Form  of  Govei'nment,  is  intended  as  an  additiunal  safeguard  to 
the  pmity  and  efficiency  of  the  ministry,  and  the  phrase  "  all  admitted 
to  membership,"  is  to  be  interpreted  in  its  most  comprehensive  sense  as 
regards  the  ministry,  and  applied,  not  only  to  those  admitted  by  ordina- 
tion and  those  received  from  other  denominations,  bvit  also  to  those  re- 
ceived by  letter  of  dismission  from  one  Presb\i;ery  to  another  of  oiu*  own 
Church. 

1882,  p.  572.  The  Presbytery  of  Missouri  asked  for  such  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Form  of  Government  as  would  relieve  ministers  passing 
from  one  Presb}i;ery  to  another  from  signing  the  obligation  required  of 
ministers  at  their  ordination.  Ansicer:  The  end  to  be  gained  by  such 
a  change  is  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  justify  an  amendment  to  the 
constitution. 

1883,  p.  25.  A  similar  overtiu'e  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Johns 
was  answered  in  the  negative. 

45.    Who  may  vote  in  calling  a  pastor. 

1862,  p.  16.  The  Presbytery  of  Memphis  overtui'ed  the  Assembly 
to  declare,  as  the  meaning  of  Art.  II.,  Chap.  XV.,  Form  of  Government, 
that  in  the  election  of  a  pastor  no  person  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  who  is 
not  a  member  in  regular  staudiug  of  the  church  in  which  the  election 
takes  place.     Refen-ed  to  the  Committee  on  Revision. 

1864,  p.  261.  The  SjTiod  of  Mississippi  asks,  if  the  right  of  voting 
in  the  election  of  a  pastor  is  granted  l^y  the  Form  of  Government  to  any 
but  church  members,  who  submit  to  discipline  and  contribute  their  just 
propoi'tion  accordmg  to  their  engagements? 

Answer :  The  Form  of  Government  is  liable  to  misconstruction  as  to 
the  persons  entitled  to  vote  in  calling  a  pastor;  consequently  different 
and  conflicting  interpretations  are  constantly  given  to  that  portion  oi 
Chap.  XV.  which  treats  of  the  election  of  a  pastor ;  therefore,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  refers  this  subject  to  the  Committee  on  Revision,  with 
instruction  so  to  frame  this  portion  of  Chap  XV.  as  that  it  wiU  admit 
of  no  ambiguity  ov  misconstruction. 

See,  in  this  Digest,  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  on  the  alternative  propositions 
submitted  on  this  siabject  alouj?  with  the  new  Book  of  Church  Order,  1878,  p.  638. 
By  the  new  Book  the  right  of  voting  is  limited  to  commnnicant  members  in  good 
standing.  — A. 


Sec8.  4C-50.]  The  Con(tREGATion.  27 

46.  Amending  the  form  of  a  call. 

For  a  proposition  to  so  amend  the  form  of  a  call  for  a  pastor  as  to  require  the 
congregation  to  obligate  itself  to  care  for  the  family  of  their  pastor,  in  case  of  his 
death,  see  nnder  the  heading  of  Relief  for  the  Superannuated  and  Invalid. 

47.    Call  for  a  pastor  xoithovt  prom,ise  of  adequate  support. 

1800,  p.  37G.  Overtiu-e  No.  1,  from  certain  brethren  in  Tennessee — 
Messrs.  A.  Enloe,  Jacob  Gillespie,  and  A.  A.  Greex' — presenting  the  fol- 
lowing question,  \iz.:  "Can  a  call  for  a  pastor  be  considered  regular  by 
a  Presbvterv  which  does  not  pledge  the  congi'egations  caUing  to  provide 
an  adequate  support  for  the  pastor '?" 

Answer. — Hiich  calls  as  the  overture  contemplates  are  not  strictly 
regular :  but  that  in  cases  in  which  churches  are  not  able  to  pledge  the 
competent  support  oi  pastors,  the  expediency  of  constituting  the  pas- 
toral relation  should  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  Presb^-teries. 

48.   The  pastoral  relation  not  to  be  lightly  brol-en. 

1868,  p.  272.  Whereas,  The  permanent  relationship  of  the  pastor 
to  his  people  is  one  of  the  distinctive  and  most  cherished  features  of 
the  Presb^-teriiiu  Chiu'ch :  and  whereas,  the  frequent  removal  to  other 
fields  of  labor  by  regvilarly  installed  ministers  without  comphing  with 
the  rules  laid  down  by  our  Book  of  Chiu-ch  Government,  or  obtaining 
the  consent  of  their  respective  charges,  demands  the  serious  considera- 
tion of  this  body :  therefore,  be  it 

Hesolred,  By  the  General  Assembly,  that  the  S^iTiods  and  Presb}i;e- 
ries  within  its  jurisdiction  be  enjoined  to  recpiire  in  future  a  more  rigid 
adherence  to  the  rules  and  decrees  of  the  Church  regulating  the  pas- 
toral relationship  and  the  mode  of  its  dissolution. 

49.  Presbi/terg  has  absolute  povjer  to  dissolve  the  j^nstoral  relation. 

1880,  p.  196.     (^lestion  from  the  Eev.  Dr.  Dana— 

"  Can  a  Presb\'terv,  by  simple  vote  of  the  majority,  displace  a  pastor 
against  the  vnl\  of  both  pastor  and  congregation  ?" 

See  Foi-m  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  VI. :  "The  Presby- 
teiy  has  power  *  *  =k  *  ^u  establish  the  pastoral  relation,  and  to 
dissolve  it  at  the  request  of  one  or  both  of  the  parties,  or  where  the 
interests  of  reUgion  imperatively  demand  it.  " 

^Vhile  the  Presbytery  clearly  has  such  power,  the  Assembly  decides 
that  a  Presbytery  taking  such  action  should  be  thorouglily  convinced 
that  "the  interests  of  religion  imperatively  demand  it." 

50.  A  minister  mag  supplg  churches  out  of  our  connertion  bg  consent 

of  his  Preshgterg. 

1880,  p.  196.  Rev.  W.  C.  Dana,  D.  D.,  pasUn-  of  Central  Presbyte- 
rian church,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  a  letter,  asks  the  following  ques- 
tion : 

"Is  it  unlawful  for  a  minister  in  your  connection  to  be  pastor  of  an 
Independent  church?" 

Replg. — There  is  nothing  in  our  "Book  of  Church  Order"  to  pre- 
vent a  minister  in  our  connection  from  preaching  the  gospel  at  any 
church  where  he  has  the  consent  of  his  own  Presbvtei'v. 


28  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  II. 

51.  May  a  minister  become  the  permanent  supply  of  a  church  out  of 

our  connection. 

1869,  p.  376.  Overture. — Is  it  contrary  to  our  standards  for  one  of 
our  ministers  to  remain  the  permanent  supply  of  a  church  of  another 
denomination  :  for  example,  a  Congreg-ational  church. 

Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

52.  Ministers  vyithout  charge. 
1866,  p.  87.  "With  reference  to  ministers  not  now  engaged  in  their 
sacred  calling,  the  Assembly  exhorts  them,  if  they  do  not  find  fields  of 
labor  in  their  present  localities,  to  seek  other  places  of  abode  and  fields 
of  labor  where  they  may  be  useful  in  their  appropriate  work.  It  also 
enjoins  the  Presbyteries  to  examine  their  rolls,  and  require  all  minis- 
ters who  are  not  thus  employed  to  give  an  account  of  themselves,  and 
to  proceed  against  those  who  are  found  to  be  habitual  neglecters  of 
their  vows  of  ordination. 

53.  The  relation  of  Stated  Supply  per-missible. 
1872,  p.  155.  Answer  to  an  overture  from  the  Presb^i^eiy  of  South 
Alabama  touching  the  relation  of  stated  supphes  to  the  churches  they 
serve,  and  urging  the  early  formation  of  the  pastoral  relation  wherever 
it  can  be  fitly  done.  After  some  inquiry,  the  committee  think  that 
Presbyteries  are  already  using  commeudalile  diligence  in  forming  the 
pastoral  relation,  as  our  system  contemplates,  and  that,  where  the  plan 
of  stated  supplies  is  resorted  to,  it  is  in  many,  perhaps  in  UK^st  cases, 
the  only  thing  that  can  save  many  of  our  churches  fi'om  extinction.  It 
does  not  occur  to  your  committee  that  fiu-ther  action  in  this  matter  is 
now  called  for.     Adoj)ted. 

54.   Official  status  of  Stated  Supplies. 

1881,  p.  395.  In  answer  to  sundry  questions  from  W.  H.  Humph- 
reys and  W.  W.  Trimble,  touching  the  official  status  of  the  Stated  Sup- 
ply, and  the  rights  of  the  people  in  the  selection  of  a  minister,  the 
Assembly  made  the  following  deliverance : 

1.  The  Stated  Supply  being  unknown  to  our  standards,  has,  as  such, 
no  official  status.  As,  however,  the  Stated  Supply  is  not  unknown  in 
our  practice,  it  may  be  well  to  say  that  he  has  all  the  rights,  and 
should  discharge  all  the  duties  of  the  minister  of  the  gospel,  such  as 
preaching  the  Word,  administering  the  sacraments,  etc.;  but  he  is  not 
a  member  of  the  session  by  virtue  of  stated  supplyship.  He  can  only 
act  as  moderator  by  invitation  of  the  session,  except  when  his  relation 
as  Stated  Supply  is  sanctioned  by  the  Presbytery,  under  Form  of 
Goveniment,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Art.  III.  2.  The  whole  case  of  the 
Stated  Supply  is  anomalous ;  but  the  underlying  principle  of  Form  of 
Government,  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  I.,  Art.  II.,  would  seem  to  require  scrupu- 
lous regard  to  the  wishes  of  the  ccmgregation  in  employing  or  dismiss- 
ing a  Stated  Supply. 

55.   By  mhat  title  should  the  Stated  Supply  be  reported. 
1877,  p.  421.     Overture  from  Ouachita  Presbytery,  requesting  the 
use  of  some  other  letters  than  S.  S.  to  designate  those  ministers  who 
have  charge  of  chunrhes,  but  are  not  pastors.     The  Assembly  deemed 
it  best  not  to  make  anv  change  in  the  matter  referred  to. 


Secs.  56,  o7]  The  CongrectATIon.  29 

1878,  p.  618.  The  Coniinittee  of  Bills  aud  Overtures  report  ou  over- 
tures from  the  Presbyteries  of  Ouachita,  Western  Texas  and  Louisi- 
ana, asking  for  a  change  in  our  statistical  tables,  substituting  the  title 
Acting  Pastor  for  "Stated  Sui^ply,"  and  recommend  the  following  re- 
ply, viz. :  that  it  is  not  advisable  to  make  the  proposed  change,  because, 
(1,)  It  would  produce  confusion,  by  lessening  the  distinction  of  names 
between  these  two  classes  of  ministers;  aud  (2,)  Have  a  tendency  to 
encourage  the  relation  of  Stated  Supply  in  place  of  the  regular  pas- 
toral relation.     Adopted. 

56.    Ordination  sine-  titnlo. 

1865,  p.  862.  An  inquiiy  from  a  member  of  this  Assembly,  asking 
whether  a  Presbytery  has  a  right  to  ordain  a  licentiate  to  the  Avork  of 
the  gospel  muiistry,  simply  because  he  desires  it,  although  neither  one 
or  more  churches  have  requested  that  he  should  be  ordained. 

Answer:  Every  office  in  the  Church  of  God,  according  the  Scrij)- 
tures  and  the  standards  of  our  Church,  is  a  delinite  charge ;  and  hence 
no  man  can  lawfully  be  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  unless  it  be  to 
the  performance  of  some  work  appropriate  to  that  office  according  to 
the  constitution.  And  as  one  great  evidence  of  a  diA-ine  vocation  is  a 
call  from  a  particular  church,  no  man  ought  to  be  ordained,  except  in 
cases  extraordinary,  without  such  a  call.  Moreover,  as  persons  are 
Hable  to  mistake  their  calling,  and  as  the  office  of  the  ministry  is  a 
permanent  one,  by  divine  institution,  Presbj'teries  ought  to  exercise 
great  caution  in  ordaining  evangelists,  lest  the  ministry  be  tilled  with 
intruders,  and  the  Church  be  aillicted  with  a  vagTant  and  secularized 
clergy.  Nor  ought  they  ever  to  do  so,  until  full  proof  has  been  made 
of  the  licentiate,  by  the  Presbyteiy  which  ordains  him,  and  it  has  re- 
ceived such  a  favorable  report  concerning  him  from  the  churches,  as 
gives  the  promise  of  wide  usefulness. 

The  case  mentioned  in  the  memorial  seems  to  riolate  all  these  prin- 
ciples. If  the  Hcentiate  be  not  called  to  a  particular  church,  and  if  he 
be  not  looldng  to  the  work  of  the  evangelist  in  frontier  and  destitute 
settlements,  his  ordination  sine  titulo  would  be  not  only  irregular  and 
unconstitutional,  but  manifesth^  unscriptural. 

57.  Mode  of  restoring  a  deposed  jninister. 

1880,  Y>.  202.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississipj^i  were  ap- 
proved, with  the  following  exception:  That  the  S^aiod,  pp.  297,  298, 
directed  the  Presbytery  of  Louisiana  to  restore  the  Eev.  S.  P.  Limi  to 
the  exercise  of  the  functions  oi  the  ministry  in  a  manner  at  variance 
with  the  rules  of  discipHne  prorided  in  such  cases.  See  Book  of  Dis- 
ciphne.  Chap.  XL,  Sec.  VII. 

The  Synod  had  directed  the  Presbytery  to  restore  Mr.  Liuu  <it  once  to  the  full 
office  of  the  ministry,  disregarding  the  steps  as  pointed  out  in  the  Book  for  such 
cases.  — A. 

1881,  p.  394.  Records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  ajiproved,  with 
this  exception :  On  page  824  of  the  records  it  appears  that  a  former 
action  of  Synod,  in  directing  a  PresbAiery  to  restore  a  deposed  minis- 
ter, had  met  with  the  disai)proval  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  Synod 
justifies  its  former  action  in  this  case  by  saying  that  it  regai'ds  the 
language  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Chap.  XL,  Sec.  II.,  as  adrisoiy, 
whereas  it  is  mandatory,  and  requires  that  a  Presbytery  act  with  cau- 
tion, and  restore  a  deposed  minister  only  by  degrees. 


30  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  II. 

58.  An  additional  class  of  ministers. 

1882,  p.  564.  Overture  from  the  Presbyterj'  of  Athens,  asking  such 
change  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  as  "to  admit  of  the  hcensure 
and  ordination  of  an  additional  cki,ss  of  ministers,"  as  therein  described. 

P.  565.  The  Assembly  respectfully  declines  to  take  any  steps  toward 
the  alteration  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church  for  the  j)urpose  indi- 
cated in  the  overture. 

59.  Licensure  and  ordination  in  extraordinary  cases. 

1885,  p.  401.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Chesapeake,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  send  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  their  adoption,  the 
following  amendment  to  be  added  to  Chapter  VI.,  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, viz. :  Provided,  how^ever,  that  Presbyteries  shall  have  hberty  at 
theii"  discretion  to  set  apart  to  the  Gospel  ministry  godly  and  experi- 
enced men,  well  versed  in  the  English  Bible,  and  in  the  standards  of 
the  Presbj'terian  Church  in  the  United  States,  apt  to  teach,  and  evi- 
dently called  to  the  ministiy  by  the  Lord  through  his  Spirit  and  provi- 
dence. 

Ansioer :  The  Assembly  decUnes  to  comply  with  the  request,  ample 
provision  for  extraordinary  cases  being  made  in  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VL, 
Art.  VL,  of  the  Form  of  Government. 

60.   Lay  evangelists. 

1878,  p.  624.     Overtm'e  from  Muhlenburg  Presbyters^ : 

Whereas,  "  Lay  Evangelists  "  are  appearing  here  and  there  in  the 
I)ounds  of  our  Assembly,  seeking  the  co-operation  of  our  ministers  in 
so-called  "Gospel  Meetings,"  therefore  this  Presbytery  respectfully  over- 
tures the  General  Assembly,  to  be  convened  in  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  on 
May  16th,  1878,  to  make  such  deliverance  on  said  co-operation  as  wiU 
control  the  conduct  of  some  of  our  ministers,  and  be  a  moral  support 
to  aU  in  their  several  commim.ities. 

Answer:  The  General  Assembly,  whilst  recognizing  the  fact  that 
there  are  spheres  of  christian  labor  which  private  christians,  as  well  as 
ruhng  elders,  may  profitably  and  lawfully  occupy,  yet  feels  called 
ujion  to  give  its  solemn  protest  against  the  practice,  now  becoming 
general,  of  men  who  have  never  been  ordained  nor  licensed  to  preach 
the  Gospel,  engaging  in  that  peculiar  function  of  the  Christian  minis- 
try ;  and  earnestly  urge  all  our  ministers  and  people  to  avoid  encourag- 
ing the  same,  whether  by  active  co-operation  or  otherwise. 

The  plain  teaching  of  oiu:  standards  is  that  "  the  word  of  God  is  to 
be  preached  only  by  such  as  are  sufficiently  gifted,  and  also  duly  ap- 
proved and  called  to  that  office." — Tjirrjer  CaPchism,  Q.  158.  Indeed, 
the  whole  doctrine  of  our  Chiu'ch,  as  to  the  ministry,  and  the  regula- 
ti(jns  under  which  men  are  inducted  into  it,  show  that,  in  addition  to  the 
call  of  God,  the  authority  of  the  Church  is  necessary  to  call  and  ap- 
point them  to  this  work,  wii  ether  as  pastors  or  evangelists,  and  no 
amcjunt  of  apparent  or  even  real  good  which  may  be  connected  with 
the  labors  of  unauthorized  preachers  or  evangehsts  can  justify  us  in 
dishonoring  the  ordinance  of  Christ,  and  by  this  means  undermining 
his  Chiu'ch. 

1878,  p.  653.  Extract  from  the  minute  adopted  by  the  Assembly 
expressing  its  judgment  in  the  case  of  the  complaint  of  Kev.  11.  K. 


Secs,  61-63.]  The  CoxGREaATiON.  31 

Smoot  and  others,  against  tlie  action  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  upon  the 
recoi'ds  of  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Texas  in  the  matter  of  H.  F. 
Williams,  report  as  follows,  \'iz. : 

The  General  Assembly  sustains  the  complaint  of  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot 
and  others  agahist  the  S^Taod  of  Texas  on  these  grounds,  viz. :  By  re- 
fusing to  condemn  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  of  W^estem  Texas 
in  the  matter  of  H.  F.  WiUiams,  the  Synod  did  endorse  and  encoiu'age 
what  is  known  as  "  Lay  Evangehsm  "- — a  system  which  is  irregular  and 
contrary  to  the  order  oi  the  Church  with  reference  to  the  Christian 
muiistry,  and  calculated  to  pnjduce  confusion  and  many  other  e\ils, 
sooner  or  later. 

61.  3Iny  icomen  preach,  in  our  churches. 

1880,  p.  186.     Overture  from  the  S\Tiod  of  Texas : 

"Do  our  standards  forbid  the  introduction  of  women  uito  our  pul- 
pits ?  and  if  not,  is  it  an  offence,  according  to  the  definition  in  the  Rules 
of  Disciphne,  Chap.  TIL,  Art.  I.,  for  a  minister  or  church  session  to  per- 
mit a  W'oman  to  preach  in  one  of  our  chiu'ches  ?" 

The  following  answer  was  returned: 

"Inasmuch  as  the  public  preaching  of  the  gospel  is  a  branch  of  the 
ministerial  office,  to  the  authorization  of  which  ordination  or  hcensiu'e 
is  essential,  and  inasmuch  as  inspii'ed  Scriptm-e,  as  interpreted  by  our 
standards,  nowhere,  in  the  case  of  women,  sanctions  such  a  solemnity, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  does  clearly  prohibit  it,  this  Assembly  does  there- 
fore declare  the  assumption  of  this  sacred  office  by  women  to  be  op- 
posed to  the  advancement  of  true  piety  and  to  the  promotion  of  the 
peace  of  the  Church,  and  this  to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  the  mtro- 
duction  of  women  into  our  pulpits  for  the  purpose  of  pubhcly  expoimd- 
ing  Gods  Word  an  irregulaiity  not  to  be  tolerated." 

P.  187.  Tlie  Assemljly  decliued  taking  steps  toward  iucorporatiug  in  the  organic 
law  a  provision  that  all  pei'sons  elected  to  office  in  the  church  must  be  made  mem- 
bers in  full  communion,  on  the  gi-ouud  that  the  Book  is  sufficiently  plain  on  the 
subject,  and  does  thus  limit  eligibility  to  office  to  males.  This  was  in  response  to 
an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Roanoke. 

62.  31  misters  who  dissent  from  the  doctrines  of  the  Church,  or  icho 
doubt  their  having  a  call  to  preach. 
1870,  p.  519.  Overture  of  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee, 
refeiTing  to  the  records  of  that  Presbvteiy,  and  asking  what  should  be 
done,  first,  in  the  case  of  a  minister  who  declares  his  dissent  from  the 
doctrines  of  our  Church,  and  yet  does  not  desire  to  unite  with  another 
denomination  ?  and  what  should  be  done  in  the  case  of  a  minister  who 
regards  himself  as  ha\dng  been  mistaken  in  supposing  himself  cjilled 
of  God  to  preach  the  gospel?  Answer:  In  view  of  the  general  expe- 
diency of  making  in  thesi  dehverances  upon  such  questions,  and  of  the 
fact  that  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee  are  not  before  the 
house,  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  is,  that  such  cases  as  they  arise 
should  be  left  to  the  decision  of  the  several  Pi'esbj'teries  under  the 
provisions  of  the  constitution,  and  the  deliverances  heretof(.n-e  made  by 
the  supreme  court  oi  the  Chiu'ch,  subject  to  the  review  of  the  higher 
courts  under  the  foinns  provided  by  the  Book. 

63.   Lai/  preachers  and  exhorters. 
1869,  p.  391.     An  ovei*tiu*e  from  ministers  of  the  South  Alabama 
Presbytery,  requesting  the  Assembly  "  to  adopt  some  plan  whereby 


32  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [hooK  II. 

PresbA-teries  may  be  authorized  to  license  as  lay  preachers  or  exhorters 
such  jjersons  as  may  be  found  qualified  in  mind  and  heart  to  instruct 
and  edify  the  chiu'ches,  without  requiring  of  them  that  course  of  lit- 
erary and  theological  education  Avhich  is  required  for  our  regular  min- 
istry," etc.,  etc. 

The  following  answer  was  made  : 

That  the  Assembly  expresses  its  a^jprobation  of  Presbyteries  grant- 
ing permission  to  persons  of  suitable  gifts,  to  hold  meetings  and  speak 
the  word  of  exhortation  in  churches,  in  their  respective  bounds,  with 
the  consent  of  the  sessions  where  such  exist,  and  also  in  destitute 
neighliorhoods ;  such  persons  being  required  to  abstain  from  assuming 
the  proper  functions  of  the  ministry,  and  being  held  subject  to  the 
control  of  Presbytery. 

1870,  p.  522.  The  Presbyteries  of  Roanoke,  West  Hanover  and  Mem- 
phis prayed  the  Assembly  to  rescind  this  action.  The  Assembly,  after 
saving  tiiat  these  overtures  were  directed  rather  against  the  action  re- 
quested by  the  South  Alabama  ministers  than  against  the  action  really 
taken  by  the  Assembly,  which  action  was  manifestly  different  from  that 
proposed,  explained  the  above  action  in  the  following  reply : 

It  will  be  perceived  that,  under  this  deliverance,  no  issues  arise  con- 
cerning the  propriety  of  confining  the  ministry  exclusively  to  educated 
men,  or  of  admitting  a  new  class  of  authoritative  teachers  as  prophets 
of  the  Church,  tt)  expound  and  enforce  officially  the  word  of  Christ. 
But  the  Assemljly,  in  the  most  guarded  manner,  simply  expresses  ap- 
probation of  Presb_^iieries  granting  special  permission  to  particular 
persons,  by  way  of  incitement  and  encovxragement,  to  the  exercise  of 
their  gifts  m  doing  what,  within  the  limits  of  Christian  prudence,  every 
Christian  man  has  inherently  a  right  to  do  under  the  broad  commis- 
sion of  the  great  Head:   "Let  him  that  heareth,  say  come." 

Even  had  the  deliverance  of  the  last  Assembly  gone  further  than  this, 
■without  involving  palpable  violation  of  the  order  or  imminent  danger 
to  the  interests  of  religion,  an  immediate  rescinding  of  the  act  of  the 
previous  Assembly  would  consist  neither  with  courtesy  to  the  Assembly, 
nor  with  that  reverence  which  the  Assembly,  by  its  example,  should  in- 
culcate upon  the  people  for  "  decrees  and  determinations  of  synods  and 
councils,  not  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  not  only  for  their  agreement 
with  the  word,  but  for  the  power  whereby  they  are  made."  (Conf. 
Chap.  XXXI.,  2.)  And  this  the  more  especially  when  no  thne  has 
been  allowed  to  test,  by  experience,  whether  the  measure  is  hable  to 
work  injuriously  or  not. 

The  Assembly,  therefore,  declines  to  take  the  action  suggested  by 
these  overtures. 

1879,  p.  ;i9.  In  answer  to  requests  from  the  Synod  of  Texas  and 
the  Presbytery  of  Western  Texas,  the  following  was  adopted: 

liKHolDed,  That  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  1869,  authorizing  the 
appointment  of  exhorters  under  the  control  of  Presbytery,  be,  and  the 
same  is,  hereby  repealed. 

64.  JAcentiates  In  the  ei'<ni(jelistic  service. 
1869,  p.  378.     In  answer  to  an  overtm-e  from  the  Presb>i;ery  of  Nash- 
ville, in  reference  to  requiring  every  li(;entiate  to  spend  two  years  in  itin- 
erant missionary  labor  before  settlement,  the  Assembly  adopted  the 
foUowinf?- : 


Secs.  65,  66.]  The  Congregation.  83 

Resolved,  That  while  the  Assembly  lielieves  that  the  euiployuieut  of 
competent  evan<.;elists  is  the  most  eliectual  meaus  of  supphnufi^  the  desti- 
tutions in  our  btjuuds,  yet,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  so  few  oi  that  class 
can  now  be  seciu'ed,  it  recomnieuds  to  Presl:)ytenes  to  throw  their  licen- 
tiate, as  far  as  practicable,  into  the  destitute  fields  around  them. 

1871,  p.  15.  To  a  similar  request  from  the  same  Presbyteiy,  the  fol- 
ic )winf4-  reply  was  made : 

The  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV.,  Secs.  I.  and  IX.,  -^ives  to  any 
con}4re<4ation  the  right  to  extend  their  pastoral  call  to  any  probationer, 
■'■'  when  he  shall  have  preached  so  much  to  their  satisfaction  that  the 
people  appear  prepared  to  elect  a  pastor;"  and  authorizes  the  Presby- 
tery having-  jurisdiction  of  the  case,  "if  they  think  it  expedient,  to  pre- 
sent the  call  to  him."  While  this  Assembly  highly  couuuends  these 
missionaiT  labors,  as  means  for  testing  and  trainmg  the  gifts  of  prol)a- 
tioners  and  spreading  the  gospel,  it  does  not  deem  itself  competent  to 
take  away  the  above  right  from  the  churches,  nor  the  discretion  of  the 
PresbA-teries  in  the  case. 

1872,  p.  lo().  This  same  proposal  coming  again  from  Nashville  Pres- 
b}-teiy,  was  again  rejected.  The  Assembly  says :  In  many  cases  settled 
pastors  are  more  needed  than  itinerant  missionaries.  Besides,  oiu' 
young  men  are  licensed  to  preach  the  gcjspel  wherever  God  in  his  prori- 
dence  may  call  them,  at  home  or  abroad.  The  whole  frame  of  oru' 
system  would  be  set  aside  by  an  attemjjt  to  retard  the  settlement  of 
l^astors  wherever  churches  are  or  can  be  formed  strong  enough  to  sus- 
tain them. 

1873,  p.  813.  Ovei'tures  from  Tombeckbee  and  Muhlenbui'g,  looking 
to  the  adoptiim  of  this  same  rule,  were  rejected. 

65.    The  Ldtin  Thesis  an  a  part  of  trial  for  Hcev  sure. 

1870,  p.  510.  The  Standing  Connnittee  on  Education,  to  whom  was 
refeiTed  the  overture  touching  "  tlie  propriety  of  dispensing  with  a  Latin 
thesis  as  a  part  of  trial  of  our  candidates  for  Ucensure  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel,'  wt)uld  recommend  the  following  answer  on  the  part  of  this  Assem- 
bly, to-wit:  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  any  changes  in  the  require- 
ments of  the  Book  on  this  sul)ject.     Adopted. 

6G.  Loinerinf/  the  standard  for  licensure 

1884,  p.  244.  The  Presbytery  of  Chesapeake  overtures  the  General 
Assembly  to  take  the  necessiUT  constitutional  stejis  for  adding  the  fol- 
lowing amendment  at  the  close  of  Chap.  YL,  Form  of  Government: 
"Provided,  however,  that  Presbyteries  shall  have  liberty,  at  their  dis- 
cretion, to  set  apart  tt)  the  work  of  the  gospel  muiistry  g-odly  and  expe- 
rienced men,  well  versed  in  the  English  Bible  and  in  the  standards  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Fnited  States,  a])t  tt)  teach,  and  eri- 
dently  called  to  the  ministry  of  the  Lord  through  his  Spii'it  and  Provi- 
dence." 

In  connection  with  this  was  submitted  an  overture  from  thirty-nine 
ministers  and  ruling  elders  of  the  Presbyttrian  Church,  from  twelve 
States,  that  the  Assembly  recommend  to  the  Presl)yteries,  for  their  ad- 
vice and  consent,  certain  amendments  to  the  Form  of  (government.  The 
main  object  of  these  amendments  was  to  remove  from  the  Book  the  re- 
qiiirement  for  a  classical  examination  of  candidates  for  licensure,  and 

3 


34  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

to  make  the  constitution  call  only  for  an  examination  iu  the  Enghsh 
branches  of  learning  and  in  the  English  Bible. 

Answe?':  The  General  Assembly  deems  it  minecessary  and  inexpe- 
dient that  any  change  be  made  in  those  provisions  of  oui'  constitution 
which  refer  to  the  liceusm'e  or  ordination  of  candidates  for  the  Gospel 
ministry. 

67.  Licentiates  may  he  sent  to  declare  a  church  vacant. 

1877,  p.  443.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Nashville  were  approved, 
with  the  exception  that,  on  page  274,  the  Synod  seems  to  teach  that  a 
Presbytery  has  no  power  to  send  a  licentiate  to  declare  a  church  vacant. 

68.  Licensing  colored  exhorters. 

1864,  p.  286.  The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  respectfully  overtures 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate 
States  of  America  to  make  a  deliverance  on  the  subject  of  licensing 
colored  exhorters  and  preachers  to  labor  among  our  colored  population ; 
and,  if  deemed  advisable,  to  take  some  action  prescribing  a  mode  of 
licensure  for  such  laborers,  and  defining  their  status  when  thus  hcensed. 

Anstoer:  The  Assembly  would  refer  the  subject  of  authorizing  colored 
men  to  exhort  and  teach,  and  labor  among  the  colored  po23ulation,  to 
the  wisdom  and  discretion  of  church  sessions,  until  some  suitable  plan 
for  the  rehgious  instruction  of  C(3lored  people  can  be  devised  by  the 
Assembly. 

69.  Partial  license. 

1866,  p.  38.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  asking 
the  attention  of  the  General  lissembly  to  the  action  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Hopewell  in  ordaining  certain  colored  persons  to  the  partial  exercise 
of  the  functions  of  the  gospel  ministry. 

The  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that,  as  there  is  no  official  state- 
ment of  the  action  of  that  Presbji;ery  now  before  us,  and  as  the  Synod 
of  Georgia,  whose  immediate  duty  it  is  to  review  the  proceedings  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  holds  its  sessions  during  the  present  week, 
it  would  be  premature  at  this  time  for  the  General  Assembly  to  take 
cognizance  of  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  -Hopewell,  which  is  com- 
plained of  as  being  irregular  and  unconstitutional.     Adopted. 


C  H  A  PT  Rll    I  I  1. 

ELDERS. 

70.   An   elder's  memhership   in  Presbytery  continues  until  the   next 

stated  meeting. 

1872,  p.  164.  When  an  elder  is  appointed  to  attend  a  stated  meet- 
ing of  the  Presbytery,  he  may,  without  any  new  appointment,  meet 
and  act  with  the  Presbytery  vmtil  its  next  stated  meeting,  unless  the 
session  shall  appoint  some  other  member  of  its  bench  of  elders  to  at- 
tend in  his  place.     (Reply  to  an  overture  from  Ebenezer  Presb}i;ery.) 


Secs.  71,  72.]  The  Congregation.  35 

71.    One  elder  representing  tico  or  more  associated  churches. 

1862,  p.  17.  An  overtiu-e  from  the  Presbvteiy  of  East  Alabama,  ask- 
ing that  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  X.,  Sec.  IV.,  and  Chap.  XI.,  Sec. 
I.,  be  so  changed  that  each  of  those  churches,  two  or  more  of  which 
are  associated  together  in  one  pastorate,  shaU  be  entitled  to  a  rej)re- 
sentative  in  S^Tiod  and  Presbytery,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Revision. 

1808,  p.  275.  A  re(|nest  from  several  members,  that  the  Assem- 
bly have  Sec.  IV.,  Chap.  X.,  stricken  from  the  Form  of  Government. 
Ansicer :  It  is  not  advisable  at  present  to  legislate  on  this  subject, 
but  it  is  commended  to  the  consideration  of  the  Presbji^eries. 

1869,  p.  377.  Eesponses  were  received  from  ten  Presbyteries,  as 
follows :  In  favor  of  striking  out,  6  ;  in  favor  of  not  striking  out,  3  ;  for 
indefinitely  postpcming,  1. 

"Whilst  this  is  not  a  decision  of  the  cpiestion,  owing  to  the  neglect  of 
the  Presbyteries  to  reply,  nevertheless  this  result  is  so  strongly  indica- 
tive of  the  sense  of  the  Church  on  the  matter,  that  your  committee  re- 
commend that  the  question  be  again  submitted  to  those  Presbyteries 
which  have  so  culpably  failed  to  respond,  and  that  they  be  enjoined  to 
send  their  reply  to  the  next  General  Assembly.     Adopted. 

1870,  p.  581.  Responses  have  been  I'eceived  from  only  twenty-eight 
Presbyteries,  nineteen  of  which  reply  in  the  affirmative  and  nine  in  the 
negative.  The  whole  number  of  Presbyteries  in  connection  with  this 
Assembl}'  is  fifty-five.  It  would  require  the  consenting  vote  of  twenty- 
eight  Presbyteries  in  order  to  effect  the  alteration  in  the  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment. The  overture  has  therefore  failed  from  the  fact  that  a  ma- 
jority of  Presbyteries  have  not  responded  affirmative^.  It  is  recom- 
mended that,  inasmuch  as  this  overture  has,  in  two  successive  years, 
been  sent  to  the  Presbyteries  by  the  Assembly,  and  in  both  instances 
has  failed  from  default  of  action  on  the  part  of  Presb}i;eries,  this  As- 
sembly do  now  dismiss  the  matter. 

1871,  p.  15.  This  request  Avas  renewed  b}'  four  ministers  and  eigh- 
teen ruhng  elders  within  the  boimds  of  Wilmington  Presbytery.  After 
recapitulating  the  steps  taken  in  1868,  1869,  and  1870,  the  Assembly 
made  this  repl}' :  The  Assembly,  presuming  that  a  majority  of  the  Pres- 
byteries are  not  in  favor  of  the  amendment,  declines  at  this  time  to  re- 
new the  proposals  to  them. 

1874,  p.  484.  The  question  of  striking  out  Sec.  IV.,  Chap.  X.,  again 
recurriug,  on  an  overtui'e  from  the  PresbyteiT  of  Augusta,  the  request 
that  steps  be  taken  to  have  it  stricken  out  \\"as  decHned. 

1876,  p.  241.  The  matter  was  revived  once  more  by  the  Presbj'teries 
of  Greenbrier  and  Abingdon,  and  referred  by  the  Assembly  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Revision  of  the  Standards. 

72.  JiJlders  to  be  appointed  by  the  Presbyteries  to  conduct  services  in 
neighboring  congregations. 

1866,  ]).  37.  Mesolved,  That  every  Presbytery  be  enjoined  to  require 
the  sessions  of  the  vacant  congregations  to  come  up  to  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  devolved  upon  tlu'm  in  the  twenty-first  chapter  of  the 
Form  of  Government,  in  the  assembling  of  their  respective  congre- 
gations for  the  worship  of  God,  to  which  it  may  be  proper  to  add  ex- 


36  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekax  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

hortatiou.  Aud  in  order  that  this  duty  may  be  performed  to  the  greater 
acceptance  of  the  worshippers,  it  is  further  required  that  the  Presby- 
teries do  seek  out  those  elders  wh(^  haye  the  best  gifts,  and  do  espe- 
cially appoint  them  to  the  performance  of  these  duties. 

18G7,  p.  148.  Overture  fi*om  the  Presbyteiy  of  East  Alabama,  re- 
questing explanations  of  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly  respecting  the 
service  of  elders  in  vacant  congregations.  Your  committee  recommend 
the  following  minute : 

Hesolved,  That  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly,  on  pp.  36  and  37  of 
the  Minutes,  is  hereby  reaffirmed,  and  the  parts  relating  to  the  ser\'ices 
of  elders  exj^lained  to  mean,  substantially,  that,  in  accordance  with  our 
constitution,  when  a  vacant  congregation  does  not  enjoy  the  ser^dces  of 
any  elder,  who,  for  any  proper  reason,  is  competent  to  perform  the  du- 
ties contemplated,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Presbytery  to  appoint  an 
elder  or  elders  fi'om  some  neighboring  congregation:  pro\ided  nothing 
herein  contained  shall  be  regarded  as  justifying  any  Presbyteiy  in  ex- 
tending its  jurisdiction  within  the  bounds  of  another.     Adopted. 

73.  Pveshi/tcrial  courtesies  to  ridiyn/  elders. 

1883,  p.  20.  Oveiiure  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Mississippi,  as  to  ex- 
tending certain  Presljyterial  courtesies  t(j  ruling  elders.  Recommended 
that  no  change  is  deemed  necessary.     Adopted. 

This  overture  contemplated  Presbytery's  inviting  visiting  elders  to  seats  as  cor- 
responding or  visiting  brethren.  — A. 

74.  An  elder  who  has  moved  from  the  bounds  of  his  church. 

1865,  p.  363.  An  inquiry  from  a  ruling  elder  of  Flint  Eiver  Presby- 
tery, viz.:  Can  a  ruHng  elder  who  has  removed  from  the  bounds  of  his 
church,  and  who,  for  a  period  of  eighteen  months  or  two  years,  has  not 
commimed  or  worshipped  with  the  church,  be  allowed  to  resume  his 
seat  in  the  session  without  returning  to  reside  in  the  limits  of  the  con- 
gregation ? 

Answer. — The  provision  of  the  constitution,  that  no  man  is  eligible 
to  the  office  of  elder  unless  he  is  a  member  of  the  church  in  which  he 
is  to  serve,  was  evidently  designed  to  prevent  the  existence  of  a  non- 
resident eldership.  And  since  the  rights  of  office  and  the  discharge  of 
its  duties  go  together  in  the  ordination  engagements,  this  Assembly 
judges  that  when  an  elder  voluntarily  and  permanently  removes  beyond 
the  bounds  of  a  congregation,  he  is  therefore  discpialified  frcnu  dis- 
charging the  fmictions  of  his  (jffice,  and  is  no  longer  to  be  considered 
as  an  acting  elder. 

75.  An  elder  returning  a  letter  of  distnission,  resmnes  his  functions. 

1876,  p.  238.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Holston,  enquiring 
whether  a  ruling  elder,  having  obtained  a  letter  of  dismission,  which, 
before  presenting  it  to  the  church  to  which  he  is  dismissed,  he  returns 
to  the  session  granting  it,  and  is  received  again  as  a  member  of  the 
same  chvu'ch,  is  thereby  restored  to  the  office  of  a  ruling  elder  in  that 
church.     The  committee  recommend  the  following  answer: 

As  the  constitution  (Form  of  (Tovernment,  Chap.  XIII.,  Sec.  II.,) 
requires  that  the  ruling  elder  must  be  a  male  member,  in  full  com- 
munion in  the  church  in  which  he  is  to  exercise  his  office,  a  ruling  elder 


Sec.  76.]  The  Congregation.  37 

obtaining  a  letter  of  dismission  from  his  church  does  not  thereby  sever 
his  connection  wnth  the  church,  nor  until  he  is  received  as  a  member  of 
the  chiu'ch  to  which  he  is  dismissed;  and  when  he  returns  his  letter 
he  may  resume  his  office  again  as  a  ruling  elder  in  that  church.  For 
otherwise,  he  must  cease  to  be  an  acting  elder  for  ant)ther  cause,  and 
in  another  mode,  than  one  of  the  two  only  modes  pr(n-ided  for  in  Chap. 
XIII.,  Sees.  VI.  and  VII. :  since  (mly  when  unacceptable  to  the  congTe- 
gation,  and  then  only  either  by  his  own  voluntaiy  act,  or  by  act  of  the 
session  under  advice  of  the  Presb^'teiy,  can  he  cease  to  be  an  acting 
elder  in  the  church. 

The  recei\'ing  a  letter  of  dismission,  while  it  may  suspend  the  full 
communion  of  the  member,  does  not  terminate  his  connection  M'ith  the 
church.  The  General  Assembly  of  1875  decided  (though  l)y  some 
oversight  the  decision  is  omitted  in  the  printed  IMinutes)  that  the  re- 
turn of  an  imused  letter  of  dismission  reinstated  the  party  to  full  com- 
munion in  the  chiu'ch  fr(jm  which  it  was  taken.     Adopted. 

76.  Demission  of  elders  and  deacons. 

1880,  p.  190.  In  answer  to  an  overture  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia, 
asking:  "Can  the  office  of  a  ruhng  elder  or  deacon,  as  of  a  minister, 
be  demitted  ?"  the  Assembly  adopted  the  following : 

1.  The  word  "  demit"  does  not  occur  in  our  standards,  and  its  use 
produces  confusion.  A  minister  of  the  gospel  caiuiot  demit  his  office; 
he  can  lie  divested  of  his  office  only  by  act  of  PresbyteiT. 

2.  The  rules  for  divesting  a  minister  of  his  office  without  censure  do 
not,  in  all  cases,  apply  to  the  ruling  elder  and  deacon.  For  instance: 
The  provision  of  liules  of  Discipline,  Chap.  XII.,  Sec.  III.,  has  appU- 
cation  cmly  to  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  the  provisions  of  Form  of 
Government,  Chap.  VI.,  Sees.  III.,  IV.,  and  VI.,  and  Rules  of  Disci- 
pline, Chap.  VIII. ,  Sees.  VI.  andX.,  while  applying  to  the  riding  elder 
and  deacon,  are  expressly  restricted  to  the  case  where  the  officer  is  un- 
acceptable to  the  church. 

1881,  p.  396.  Overtures  from  the  Presb^-teries  of  Atlanta  and  Ches- 
apeake, touching  a  change  of  Chap.  XII.,  Sec.  III.,  Book  of  Disciphne, 
so  as  to  read  thus:  "This  provisicm  shall  apply,  mutatis  mutandis,  to 
the  case  t)f  ruhng  elders  and  deacon:;."  It  was  ordered  that  the  pro- 
posed change  be  sul)mitted  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  action. 

1882,  p.  568.  The  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  on  this  amendment  was: 
Yea,  38;  nay,  2.  It  was  therefore  enacted  in  the  following  tV)rm : 
"This  provision  shall  in  like  manner  apply,  mutittis  mutandis,  to  the 
case  of  riding  elders  and  d<^acons ;  but  in  aU  such  cases  the  session  of 
the  church  to  which  the  elder  or  deacon  who  seeks  demission  belongs, 
shaU  act  as  the  Presbytery  acts  in  similar  cases  where  a  minister  is 
concerned." 

1883,  p.  20.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon,  in  regard 
to  the  above  enactment  of  the  General  Assend)ly,  as  being  irregular. 
Ordered:  That  tlie  action  of  1882  comi)lained  of  be  sent  down  to  the 
Presbyteries.  The  substance  of  the  complaint  was  that  the  above 
amendment  was  enacted  in  difiereut  terms  from  those  voted  on  and 
adopted  bv  the  Presbvteiies. 

1884,  p.' 250.     Pesiilt— Ayes,  56 ;  noes,  3. 

P.  427.     The  following  was  adopted:  Resolved,  That  the  following 


38  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

be,  and  hereby  is  enacted  as  a  part  of  the  constitution  (Enles  of  Dis- 
ciphue,  Chap.  XII.,  Par.  3) :  "But  in  all  such  cases  the  session  of  the 
church  to  which  the  elder  or  the  deacon  who  seeks  demission  belongs, 
shall  act  as  the  Presbytery  acts  in  similar  cases  where  a  minister  is 
concerned." 

77.    The  functions  of  a  single  elder. 

1882,  p.  573.  Overture  from  Presbytery  of  Tuskaloosa,  asking 
whether  "AVhere  there  is  but  a  single  elder  in  a  church,  is  he  compe- 
tent, without  the  presence  of  a  minister,  to  perform  any  of  the  func- 
tions of  a  session,  and  if  so,  what  f mictions  f 

Heply. — The  Form  of  Government  does  not  authorize  him  to  per- 
form such  functions. 

1883,  p.  49.  With  respect  to  the  overtures  from  Abingdon  and  Cen- 
tral Texas  Presbyteries,  asking  this  Assembly  to  review  and  reverse  the 
decision  of  the  Asseml^ly  of  1882,  wherein  it  was  decided  that  where 
a  chiu'ch  has  but  one  elder,  he  cannot,  without  the  presence  of  a  min- 
ister, perform  any  of  the  functions  of  a  session,  the  following  answer 
was  made : 

Upon  a  review  of  the  matter,  it  is  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  that 
he  may,  without  the  presence  of  a  minister,  perform  all  the  functions 
of  a  session  other  than  those  of  a  judicial  natiu'e. 

1884,  p.  246.  This  decision  the  Presbytery  of  Ouachita  overtured 
the  Assembly  to  reconsider  and  repeal.  The  Assembly  dechned  to  make 
the  change  requested. 

78.    The  examination  of  elders  071  the  standards  of  the  Church  before 

their  ordination. 

1883,  p.  56.     Rev.  S.  B.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  offered  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  live  be  appointed,  to  report  to  the 
next  General  Assembly  as  to  the  expediency  of  the  Assembly's  taking 
action  looking  to  the  more  thorough  quahtications  of  the  ruling  elders 
for  the  duties  of  their  office ;  and  particularly  as  to  the  expediency  of 
requiring  them,  in  ordinary  cases,  to  stand  an  examination  on  the 
standards  of  our  Church  before  their  ordination.  Referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Education.     (See  the  Assembly  Record,  by  Converse  &  Co.) 

That  committee  recommended,  and  the  Assembly  adopted,  the  follow- 
ing action : 

Whilst  the  General  Assembly  recognizes  fully  the  importance  of 
thorough  qualification  on  the  part  of  ruling  elders  for  the  duties  of 
their  office,  it  dechnes  to  take  action  in  the  direction  indicated  for  the 
following  reasons : 

1.  To  cany  into  effect  the  action  proposed  there  would  be  necessary 
a  change  in  our  Form  of  Government,  and  the  time  is  inopportime  for 
further  changes  where  there  is  no  urgent  necessity. 

2.  The  action  called  for  is  not  necessary,  as  the  Fonn  of  Government 
ah'eady  requires  vows  at  ordination  which  cannot  be  conscientiously 
taken  without  previous  careful  examination  of  and  intelligent  acquaint- 
ance with  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the  Church. 

3.  The  effect  of  this  action  would  be  to  transfer  the  responsibihty  of 
such  doctrimil  study  and  ac-quaintance  from  the  conscience  of  the  can- 
didate, where  it  ought  to  rest,  to  that  of  the  person  or  jiersons  whose 
dutv  it  should  be  to  examine  him. 


Sec.  7y.]  The  Conoregation.  39 

4.  Many  excellent  brethren  of  dif3fidence,  but  of  real  merit,  would  be 
deterred  from  accepting  the  office  of  ruling"  elder  from  fear  of  the  or- 
deal of  examination  to  which  they  would  he  subjected. 

79.  Mai/  a  rulim/  elder  be  the  moderator  of  a  church  court. 

1870,  p.  288.  Overtiu'e  from  the  Presbyterv'  of  Holston,  inquiring 
whether  the  recj[uirement  of  the  constitution  that  the  meeting  of  chiu'ch 
courts  shall  be  opened  with  a  sennon  bv  the  last  moderator,  imphes 
that  only  a  minister  can  be  moderator.  The  (committee,  without  hmit- 
ing  the  ground  of  the  answers  to  the  ];)rovision  for  opening  the  couiis 
of  the  Chiu'ch  with  a  sermon  from  the  moderator,  in  Chaps.  X.,  XL, 
and  XII.,  bixt  taldng  into  ^dew  also  the  provisions  of  Chap.  IX.,  Sees. 
III.  and  IV.,  that  in  all  cases,  when  practicable,  a  minister  shall  pre- 
side in  the  lowest  court,  and  other  pro^^sions  of  the  constitution,  re- 
commend the  adoption  by  the  Assembly  of  the  following  ans\\er,  viz.: 

The  constitution  of  the  Church,  and  the  very  genius  of  the  Presby- 
terian system  of  courts,  speaking  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of 
Christ,  the  King,  require  that  the  teaching  elder,  whose  fimction  it  is 
to  expound  the  law  of  Christ,  shall  preside  in  courts  which  are  to  be 
guided  wholly  by  that  law  in  their  acts  and  dehverances.     Adopted. 

1878,  p.  G25.  To  the  request  of  the  Presbytery  of  Greenbrier,  that 
the  Assembly  reverse  the  above  decision,  the  follt)Aving  answer  was 
made : 

Whilst  the  Assembly  fully  recognizes  the  perfect  eqnaUty  of  ruhng 
elders  with  ministers  in  all  our  Church  courts,  yet  since  our  Fonn  of 
Government  requires  of  all  the  moderators  of  all  our  judiciaries,  except 
the  session,  certain  duties  which  can  be  performed  only  by  ministers, 
we  decline  to  reverse  the  decision  referred  to. 

1884,  \).  249.  The  Synod  of  Virginia  overtures  the  General  Assem- 
bh'  to  take  the  constitutional  steps  tt)  seciu'e  the  following  amendment 
to  the  constitution,  viz.:  "  That  to  the  clause  in  the  Book  of  Church  Or- 
dei",  Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  III.,  Sub-sec.  II.,  stating  that  ruling  elders  'possess 
the  same  authoiitv  in  the  courts  of  the  Church  aft  the  ministers  of  the 
word,'  shall  be  added  this  sentence:  'When,  however,  a  ruhng  elder  is 
moderator  of  a  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  General  Assembly,  any  official 
duty  devohdng  upon  him,  the  performance  of  which  requires  the  exer- 
cise of  functions  pertaining  only  to  the  teaching  elder,  shall  be  remit- 
ted by  him  for  execution  to  such  minister  of  the  word,  being  a  member 
of  the  court,  as  he  may  select.'" 

The  PresbA'tery  of  Chickasaw  ovei'tures  the  General  Assembly  to 
"recommend"  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  their  "adrice  and  consent,"  the 
following  addition  to  the  Form  of  Government,  Chaj).  V.,  Sec.  I.,  Par. 
3:  "  ^^'hen  a  ruling  elder  is  elected  moderator,  the  Presbytery,  Synod, 
or  General  Assembly  shall  appoint  at  that  meeting  the  minister  to 
preach  the  opening  sermon  at  the  next  I'egular  meeting." 

Annicer  to  these  Orertnres. — This  Asseml)ly,  in  view  of  the  imusu- 
ally  large  ammuit  of  business  pressing  upon  its  consideration,  and  idso 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  matter  of  these  overtures  has  not  yet  un- 
dergone the  full  and  general  examination  demanded  l)y  its  importance, 
judges  it  most  suitable  that  they  be  referred  to  the  Assembly  of  next 
year. 

1885,  p.  432.     The  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtiu'es  having  made 


40  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  II. 

a  report  ou  the  above  overtures,  Rev.  P.  T.  Peuick  offered  the  follo'\\ing- 
substitute  for  that  report,  which  was  adopted : 

That  the  request  contained  iu  these  overtures  be  granted,  and  that 
the  Assembly  hereby  recommends  and  sends  down  to  the  Presbj^teries, 
for  their  advice  and  consent  thereunto,  the  following :  That  to  the  clause 
in  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  IV.,  Hec.  III.,  Par.  2,  stating-  that 
ruling  elders  "possess  the  same  authority  in  the  courts  of  the  Chiu'ch 
as  the  ministers  of  the  Avord,"  shall  l)e  added  this  sentence:  "When, 
however,  a  ruling-  elder  is  Moderator  of  a  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  any  official  duty  devolving  upon  him,  the  performance  of 
which  requires  the  exercise  of  functions  pertaining-  only  tcj  the  teach- 
ing elder,  shall  be  remitted  by  him  for  execution  to  such  minister  of 
the  word,  being  a  member  of  the  court,  as  he  may  select." 

1886,  p.  57.  On  this,  the  vote  by  Presbyteries  was — Ayes,  37; 
Noes,  26. 

Therefore,  it  is  hereby  enacted,  that  the  said  addition  be  made  to  the 
Book  of  Church  Order. 

P.  60.  Rev.  Dr.  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  Rev.  A.  D.  McClure,  P.  Joyes, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  G.  H.  Mourning-,  were  appointed  a  special  committee  to 
examine  the  Book,  and  secm-e  consistency  in  the  declarations,  regula- 
tions, &c.,  concerning-  the  position,  rights,  etc.,  of  the  ruling  elder  in 
the  coui'ts  of  the  Church. 

1887,  p.  196.  The  report  of  special  connuittee  appointed  by  the  last 
Assembly  to  adjust  the  Book  of  Church  Order  in  the  matter  of  the 
Elder-Moderator,  was  received  and  referred  tcj  a  special  connuittee. 
It  is  as  follows  : 

In  the  judgment  of  your  committee,  the  chief  difficulty  in  the  way 
of  seeming  the  desired  consistency  arises  out  of  the  erroneous  con- 
struction placfid  by  the  last  Assembly  upon  the  words  "authority  iu 
the  com-ts  of  the  Chm-ch."  (Book  of  Church  Order,  Chap.  IV.,  Sec. 
III.,  Par.  2.)  It  is  manifest  that  the  amendment  to  this  paragraph, 
adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1866,  proceeds  upon  the  princii)le  that  eh- 
g-ibility  to  the  office  of  moderator  is  included  under  the  term  authority 
in  the  courts  of  the.  iJlmrch.  But  as  the  authority  here  referred  to  is 
manifestly  that  original  and  basal  authority  which  lies  at  the  very  foim- 
dation  of  the  Presljyterate,  and  which  cannot  lie  invaded  a\  itliout  wrong 
to  the  Avhole  system,  if  eligibility  to  the  moderatorship  ])e  an  integral 
part  of  this  original  and  scriptural  authority,  then  consistency  of  legis- 
lation can  be  secured  only  by  sweeping-  away  aU  those  regulations  which 
look  to  the  exclusive  moderatorship  of  the  session,  either  by  the  pastor 
or  h\  the  minister  appointed  or  invited  to  preside. 

Fmthermore,  if  eligibihty  to  moderatorship  be  an  integral  part  of 
the  authority  of  the  ruhng-  elder,  then  representation  in  the  ccmstitu- 
enc}'  of  commissions  and  quorums  of  coiu-ts  nuist  be  equally  so,  and  all 
those  provisions  of  the  constitution  which  discriminate  against  the 
rulmg-  elder  in  the  constitution  of  connuissions  and  the  fixing  iA  quo- 
rums must  be  abolisht^d,  and  the  e(|ual  rights  of  both  ministers  and 
ruhng  elders  in  these  resi)ects  secured. 

The  committee  is  of  opinion  that  the  General  Assembly,  in  its  ap- 
pointment, did  not  c(mtem})late  the  recommendation  oi'  consideration 
of  such  sweeping-  changes  as  are  referred  to  above,  and,  therefore,  does 
not  feel  calhnl  upon  to  present  in  detail  the  numca'ous  amendments  of 
paragraphs  and  sections  that  would  b(!  necessary  to  carry  out  this  radi- 


Sec.  7!).]  The  Conoeegation.  -11 

cal  reform.  As,  however,  the  miiul  of  the  Church  has  been  clearly  aud 
delil)eratelv  expressed  in  favor  of  the  principle  of  the  moderatorship 
of  the  rulinj^'  elder,  we  deem  it  oiu*  duty  to  present  to  the  General  As- 
sembly a  plan  by  which,  in  oiu*  hundile  jud<>-ment,  the  end  aimed  at  by 
the  Assembly  of  1886  may  l)e  consistently  gained.  This  plan  involves 
as  its  vei'v  first  ste})  a  renunciation  of  the  position  that  elij^ibility  to 
office  is  included  under  the  term  authority  in  the  i)aragrapli  already 
cited.  That  the  framers  of  oiu'  Book  never  intended  these  words  to 
have  this  significance  must  he  apparent  at  a  glance.  They  certainly 
would  not  have  been  guilty  of  the  inconsistency  of  recognizing  or  con- 
feri'ing  in  this  clause  a  right  against  every  exercise  of  which,  in  sul)se- 
quent  clauses,  they  effectually  close  the  door  l)y  making  the  pastor  ex 
officio  moderator  of  the  lowest  (;ourt,  and  requiring  of  the  moderator 
of  each  of  the  higher  comls  official  duties  from  the  discdiarge  of  which 
the  ruling  elder  is  constitutionally  inhibited. 

If,  therefore,  the  General  Assembly  of  1887  would  recognize  the 
limited  sense  in  which  the  Avord  <nithority  is  iised  by  the  framers  of 
our  Book  as  implying  simply  the  right  to  sit  and  deliberate  and  vote 
upon  aU  (questions  that  may  come  l^efore  the  court,  the  way  would  then 
be  open  for  intrijducing  a  simple  and  brief  amendment  by  which  the 
constitutional  right  of  the  ruhng  elder  to  moderatt)rship  shall  be  dis- 
tinctly recognized  or  conferred.  The  way  w'ould  thus  he  still  further 
open  for  a  few  simple  and  brief  amendments  l)y  which  the  exercise  oi 
this  constitutional  right  shall,  for  prudential  reasons,  be  modified  or 
foregone:  and  these  simple  changes,  together  with  the  provision  al- 
ready made  for  the  delegation  by  the  ruling  elder  of  such  official  duties 
as  require  the  exercise  of  ministerial  functions,  would,  in  our  judgment, 
bring  the  whole  Book  sufficiently  into  harmony  with  itself. 

In  accordance,  therefore,  with  the  principles  above  enimciated,  and 
the  views  above  held,  we  do  hereby  most  respectfully  recommend  to  the 
General  Assembly  to  send  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  their  advice 
and  consent,  the  five  following  amendments,  xiz.: 

1.  In  Chaj).  IV.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  2,  after  the  word  authority,  insert 
the  words  and  elUjihUitu  t<>  office,  so  that  the  paragraph  will  read  as 
follows: 

These  ruling  elders  do  not  labor  in  word  and  dt)ctrine,  but  possess 
the  same  authority  and  eligibility  to  office  in  the  courts  of  the  Church 
as  the  ministers  of  the  word. 

2.  In  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  I.,  Par.  8,  after  the  word  is,  in  the  first  line,  in- 
sei-t  the  words  for  prudential  reai^oni^,  so  as  to  read: 

The  pastor  is,  for  prudential  reasons,  moderator  of  the  session. 

8.  In  the  same  paragraph  (Chap.  V.,  Sec.  I.,  Par.  8),  after  the  word 
iiltall,  in  the  seventh  line,  insert  in  parenthesis  the  following  words,  ex- 
cept as  herein((fter  provided,  so  that  the  sentence  wiU  read : 

And  the  moderator,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  the  last  moderator 
present,  or  the  oldest  minister  in  attendance,.  shaD  (except  as  herein- 
after prcivided)  open  the  meeting  with  a  sermon,  etc. 

4.  Strike  out  altogether  from  Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  2,  the  amend- 
ment incorporated  in  that  paragra])!!  l)v  the  last  Assend)ly,  and  insert 
that  same  amendment,  slightly  modilied,  at  the  close  of  Chap.  V.,  Sec. 
I.,  Par.  8,  so  as  to  add  to  that  paragraph  the  following  words: 

Provided,  however,  that  when  the  moderator  of  one  of  the  higher 
courts  is  a  ruling-  elder,  the  preaching  of  the  opening  sernK)n,  or  any 
other  official  duty,  the  performance  oi  which  requires  the  exercise  of 


42  Diciest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  II. 

functions  j^ertaining  only  to  the  teaching  elder,  shall  be  remitted  by 
him  for  execution  to  such  minister  of  the  word,  being  a  member  of  the 
court,  as  he  may  select. 

5.  In  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  VI.,  Par.  6,  after  the  word  pronounce,  in  next 
to  the  last  line,  insert  the  words  or  ccmse  to  he  pronounced,  so  that  the 
sentence  will  read : 

He  shall  pray  and  retiu-n  thanks,  and  pronounce,  or  cause  to  be  pro- 
nounced, on  those  j)resent  the  apostolic  benediction. 
All  of  which  is  respectfull}^  submitted. 

T.  D.  Witherspoon, 
A.  D.  McClure, 
Pairick  Joyes. 

I  assent  to  the  above  recommendations,  but  do  not  agree  with  the 
argument  introducing  them. 

G.  H.  Mourning. 

The -special  committee  is  given  on  p.  201,  Rev.  G.  W.  Finley,  chair- 
man. 

P.  231.  On  the  report  of  this  sj^ecial  committee,  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  ad  interim  committee  were  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    I  V. 

DEACONS. 

80.  J^hr  demission  of  deacons,  see  demission  of  elders. 

81.  Relation  of  deacons  to  the  session. 

1877,  p.  410.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Alabama,  requesting  a 
definition  of  the  duties  of  the  deacons  and  sessions  respecting  the  col- 
lection, keejiing  and  disbursing  of  church  fimds. 

The  following  reply  was  adopted : 

The  duties  of  the  deacons,  as  servants  (ministers)  of  the  Church,  are 
to  execute  the  orders  of  the  session  (or  parochial  Presbytery)  as  rulers 
of  the  Church.  Therefore,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  deact)ns  to  collect  and 
ajopropriate  all  funds  for  church  purposes,  whether  for  local  ptu'poses, 
support  of  a  pastor,  aid  to  the  poor,  and  expenses  of  the  church,  or  for 
objects  of  Christian  benevolence  recognized  in  the  action  of  the  coui'ts 
of  the  Church,  u^nder  the  direction  of  the  chm-ch  session. 

82.    2Vie  diaconate  in  its  relation  to  the  agencies  of  the  Church. 

1879,  p.  19.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg^  asking 
the  Assembly  to  prepare  a  paper  upon  the  doctrine  of  the  Diaconate, 
with  special  reference  to  its  relations  to  the  agencies  of  the  Church. 
Request  granted,  and  following  committee  appointed:  Rev.  J.  L.  Gir- 
ardeau, D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  L.  Dabnej^  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Peck, 
D.  D.     (P.  47.) 

This  committee  reported  a  lengthy  paper  on  the  above  subject  to 
the  Assembly  of  1881.     (See  p.  855).     The   substantive  proposition 


Sec.  82.]  The  Congregation.  43 

of  this  paper  is:  " That  the  Assembly  formally  approve  the  j^'iBciple, 
that  wherever,  in  its  administrative  pohcy,  strictly  temporal  functions 
requii'e  to  be  discharged,  deacons  should  be  appointed  by  it  for  their 
performance."  After  being  referred  to  the  next  Assembly  for  three 
successive  years— 1881,  p.  394 ;  1882,  p.  551 ;  1883,  p.  G2— the  foUow- 
ing  paper  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  General  Assembly  hereby  expresses  to  Drs. 
Girardeau,  Peck,  and  Dabney,  its  appreciation  of  theu-  faithful  labor  in 
preparing"  the  report  on  the  Diaconate,  which  is  now  before  this  body. 

2.  That  after  its  authors  shall  have  had  the  privilege  of  revising  it, 
so  much  of  said  paper  as  its  writers  may  regard  as  necessary  to  its 
completeness  be  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  this  Assem- 
bly.    (1884,  p.  205.) 

This  report  may  be  found  on  p.  283  for  that  year.  As  it  is  there  simply  for  in- 
formation, and  was  never  endorsed  or  adopted,  we  refrain  from  giving  it  here. — A. 


BOOK    II  I. 

CHUECH    COUHTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE   SESSION. 

83.  May  one  elder,  tohere  there  is  but  one,  constitute  a  valid  session? 

1874,  p.  487.  The  Presbytery  of  Savannah  asks,  "  Can  one  ruling 
elder  alone,  without  any  other  elder  or  minister,  in  any  case  constitute 
a  session  of  a  Presbyterian  church,  competent  to  receive  and  dismiss 
members,  and  is  the  action  of  such  elder,  sitting  alone,  in  any  case 
valid "? " 

Answer.  Chap.  IX.,  Sec.  II.,  of  the  Constitution,  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, defines  a  quorum  of  session,  in  cases  where  there  is  but  one  elder, 
to  be  a  minister  and  elder. 

The  quorum  is  not  a  mere  rule  of  procedure,  but  respects  the  veiy 
being  of  a  judicatory.  Any  number  of  members  less  than  a  constitu- 
tional quorum  does  not  make  a  judicatory',  and  is  not  competent  to  any 
oi'ganic  act. 

1881,  p.  394.  From  the  Presb^'tery  of  Savannah :  "  Can  one  elder 
constitute  a  quorum  of  session  to  act  in  connection  with  a  mmister,  in- 
vited by  himself,  when  he  is  the  only  elder  of  that  particular  church  f 
The  committee  recommend  that  this  overture  be  answered  in  the  af- 
fh'mative.     Adopted. 

To  this  answer  one  member  entered  a  protest. — p.  397. 

84.  Shall  one  elder,  loith  the  minister,  be  a  quorum  tohen  there  are  but 

tvjo  elders  in  the  session  / 

1881,  p.  358.  The  Presbytery  of  Orange  asks  that  an  amendment 
of  Chap,  v.,  Sec.  III.,  Form  of  Government,  be  sent  down  to  the  Pres- 
byteries, providing  that,  in  cases  where  there  are  but  two  ruling  elders 
in  a  session,  one  of  them,  in  connection  with  the  minister,  be  authorized, 
imder  certain  conditions,  to  act  as  a  <piorum  of  the  body. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  request  be  not  granted. 
Adopted. 

1882,  p.  571.  In  answer  to  overtures  from  West  Hanover  and  Chesa- 
peake Presb^'teries  concerning  a  (piorum  of  session,  your  ct)mmittee  re- 
commend that  the  following  overtui'e  be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries, 
to  be  voted  upon,  viz.  : 

Shall  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  1,  (Form  of  Government)  be  amended 
by  adding  these  words :  "  But  the  pastor  and  one  elder  may  constitute 
a  quorum  in  cases  where  there  are  only  two  elders,"  and  that  the  stated 
clerk  of  the  Assembly  be  instructed  to  send  this  overture  to  the  stated 
clerk  of  each  Presbytery.     Adopted. 


Sec.  85.]  Chukch  Covrts.  45 

1883,  p.  26.  The  committee  in  whose  hands  the  responses  of  the 
Presbyteries  were  placed  would  respectfully  I'eport  that  they  have  ex- 
amined them,  and  find  that  of  the  sixty-six  Presbyteries  answers  have 
been  received  from  tifty,  i.  e.,  from  six  more  than  two-thirds  of  the 
whole  number,  and  with  the  following  result,  riz. : 

Forty-seven  answer  affirmatively,  thi'ee  answer  negatively,  and  six- 
teen make  no  response.  (For  the  vote  in  detail  by  Presbyteries,  see 
the  minutes.) 

With  this  statement  in  riew,  and  sufficient  time  haring  elapsed  for 
an  answer  from  all  the  Presbyteries,  the  committee  report  to  the  As- 
sembl}'  that  the  overtiu'e  has  been  earned  by  a  majority  affii'matively. 
Adopted. 

1884,  p.  238.  The  Presbyteiy  of  Florida  overtures  the  Assembly  as 
to  whether  the  amendment  in  reference  to  a  quorum  of  session,  as 
found  on  page  26,  Minutes  of  Assembly  (1883),  which  amendment  said 
Assembly  did  not  enact,  is  now  a  part  of  our  law. 

Ansii'er :  The  committee  recommend  that  this  informality  be  rem- 
edied by  the  Assembly's  enacting  said  amendment.  And  the  Assem- 
bly does  herel)V  enact  that  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  1,  (Form  of  Gov- 
ernment) shall  1)6  amended  by  adchng  these  words :  "  But  the  pastor 
and  one  ruhng  elder  may  constitute  a  quorum  in  cases  where  there  are 
only  two  ruling  elders." 

1884,  p.  243.  The  Presbyteiy  of  Ouachita  overtures  the  Assembly 
whether  certain  defects  in  the  pi'oceedings  for  the  amendment  of  Chap. 
v..  Sec.  III.,  Par.  1,  Form  of  Government,  do  not  affect  the  validity  of 
the  amendment.     The  Presbyteiy  makes  the  following  specifications : 

1.  The  Assembly  of  1882  did  not  "  recommend"  it,  but  only  sent  it 
down.  2.  The  Presbyteries  did  not  "  advise  and  consent"  that  the  As- 
sembly should  make  the  change  in  the  Constitution,  but  voted  to  do  it 
themselves.  3.  The  Assembly  of  1883  did  not  enact  it,  as  the  rule  re- 
quires. (See  Mimites  of  Assembly,  pp.  26  and  27.)  The  following 
answer  was  adopted :  That  the  Assembly  refer  the  Presbyteiy  to  the 
action  of  this  Assembly  in  regard  to  the  overtures  sent  down  bv  the 
Assembly  of  1883. 

(This  action  was  that  the  Assembly  mr.st  be  uuderstood  as  having  intended  to  re- 
commend and  endorse  what  it  sent  down,  the  faihu'e  alluded  to  being  an  oversight 
and  unintentional.) 

85.    Citations  of  members  by  the  session,  and  refusal  to  ohe<j  the  same. 

1881.  p.  397.  The  Presbyteiy  of  Mecklenburg  asks :  1.  Do  the  pro- 
visions of  our  Book  (Fiules  of  Disciphne,  Chap.  YL,  Sec.  VI.,  and  Chap. 
HI.,  Sec.  II ,)  apply  to  the  case  of  a  member  t)f  the  church  who  refuses 
to  obey  the  citation  of  the  session  to  appear  for  conference  concerning 
matters  affecting  the  Christian  chai'acter,  when  no  formal  charge  has 
been  pref eiTed  ?  2.  If  they  do  not,  by  what  means  must  the  session 
deal  with  resistance  of  its  authority  when  it  exercises  the  power  con- 
ferred in  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  5,  Form  of  Government,  and  en- 
deavors to  perform  the  duty  therein  devolved  on  it  of  inipiii'ing  into  the 
knowledge,  principles,  imd  Christian  conduct  of  the  church  members 
vmder  its  care  by  dii'ecting  the  meml)ei's  to  appear  l)efore  the  session. 

The  following  answer  was  adt)pted:  Chap.  VL,  Sec.  VL,  Bules  of 
Disciphne,  refers  only  to  formal  judicial  prosecution,  and  requires  that 
charges  be  prefeiTed  and  the  offender  formally  cited  to  appear  before 


46  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  III. 

the  session  for  the  purpose  of  answering  the  charges.  Chap.  III.,  Sec. 
II.,  Eules  of  Discipline,  refers  to  offences  which  may  call  for  judicial 
prosecution,  or  may  not,  according  to  the  natiu'e  of  the  case ;  and  of 
this  the  session  is  to  be  the  judge.  The  authority  of  the  session,  as 
defined  in  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Par.  5,  Form  of  Government,  allows  the 
session  to  enquire  into  the  "knowledge,  principles,  and  Christian  con- 
duct of  the  members  imder  its  care,"  without  formal  judicial  process. 
If  its  authority  is  resisted  when  so  exercised,  the  session  may  then  pro- 
ceed to  cite  the  offender  to  appear,  as  provided  in  Chap.  VI.,  Eules  of 
Discipline.  If,  after  two  citations,  its  authority  is  still  resisted,  the 
session  may  proceed  to  deal  with  the  offender  for  contumacy,  as  pro- 
vided in  Chap.  VII.,  Sec.  II.,  Rules  of  Discipline. 

86.  3Iay  sessions  instruct  their  representatives  hoio  to  vote. 

1884,  p.  242.  The  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  resj)ectfuUy  overtures 
the  General  Assembly  to  determine  and  answer  the  following  question, 
•viz.: 

When  a  matter  has  been  sent  down  by  the  Assembly  for  the  consid- 
eration of  the  Presbyteries,  is  it  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of 
Presbyterianism,  and  the  constitution  of  the  Chiu'ch,  for  church  ses- 
sions to  instruct  their  representatives  how  they  shall  vote  on  the  ques- 
tion to  be  considered  by  the  Presbyteries  ? 

The  General  Assembly  answers  this  question  that  the  session  cannot 
authoritatively  instruct  its  delegates. 

1884,  p.  253.  In  reviewing  tlie  Minutes  of  tlie  Synod  of  Missouri,  exception  was 
taken  to  Synod's  action  in  the  judicial  case  wMcli  came  up  by  comijlaint  of  the  ses- 
sion of  Grand  Avenue  church,  St.  Louis,  against  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis. 

This  session  instructed  its  delegate  how  he  shoidd  vote  on  a  question  sent  down 
by  the  Assembly  for  the  decision  of  the  Presbyteries.  The  Presbytery  took  excep- 
tion to  this  act  of  the  session.  The  session  then  took  a  complaint  to  the  Synod 
against  this  action  of  Presbytery.  The  Synod  sustained  the  complaint.  The  Pres- 
bytery thereupon  took  the  matter  to  the  Assembly  in  the  above  overture.  The 
Assembly,  by  its  answer  to  the  overture  and  its  exception  to  the  records,  sustained 
the  Presbytery.  — A. 

87.   Tojjics  for  sessional  narratives. 
See  Presbyterial  Narratives. 

88.    The  session  has  no  poioer  to  make  new  rules  of  membership. 

18G5,  p.  361.  It  was  so  decided  by  the  Assembly.  See  section  on 
General  Powers  of  Church  Courts. 

89.    Who  may  moderate  the  session. 

1886,  p.  51.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  reports  on  an 
overture  from  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida,  and  overtures  from 
Presbytery  of  FayetteviUe,  as  follows: 

1.  It  is  competent,  except  in  judicial  cases,  for  a  minister  belonging 
to  one  Presbytery  to  preside  at  a  meeting  of  a  session  in  another  Pres- 
bytery, when  invited  to  do  so,  in  accordance  with  the  rules  laid  down  in 
Chap,  v..  Sec.  III.,  Par.  3. 

2.  It  is  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  that  the  minister  so  invited 
to  preside  is  moderator  by  courtesy  only,  and  in  no  sense  a  member  of 
the  court ;  that  his  authority  is  limited  to  the  preservation  of  order 


Secs.  90^92.]  Chitrch  Courts.  47 

and  the  convening  and  adjoui'ning  of  the  covu't,  according  to  its  own 
ruling ;  and  that  he  should  not  vote  on  any  question,  even  in  case  of  a 
tie. 

90.    Congregational  meetings  ;  for  what  ^^urposes  they  may  he  called, 
a.nd  who  may  preside  over  them. 

187G,  p.  240.  From  the  Presbj'teiy  of  Mecklenburg,  inquiring 
whether  it  be  competent  t(^  a  cbui'ch  session  to  call  a  congregational 
meeting  for  other  objects  than  those  specified  in  our  Book;  and  to  a 
congregation  in  its  meetings  to  choose  its  presiding  ojBficer  ? 

Ansioer. — As  the  purposes  of  congregational  meetings,  in  all  cases, 
must  be  presumed  to  relate,  more  or  less  directly,  to  the  spiritual  in- 
terests of  the  congregation ;  and  as  the  power  is  vested  in  the  session 
(Form  of  Government,  Chap.  IX.,  6),  "to  concert  the  best  measiu-es 
for  promoting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  congregation,"  it  seems  to 
follow  that  it  is  competent  for  the  sessions  to  call  congregational  meet- 
ings for  any  proper  piu-pose.  In  case  the  subject  to  be  considered  at 
the  congregational  meeting  be  such  as  to  prevent  the  pastor,  from  mo- 
tives of  delicacy,  to  preside,  it  is  competent  to  the  meeting  to  choose  its 
own  presiding  officer. 

91.  Provisional  sessions. 

1887,  p.  204.     Exception  to  the  records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississipjn : 
On  page  208-211  an  overture  from  Memorial  Chvu'ch  touching  the 
matter  of  "provisional"  or  "special"  sessions,  and  their  right  to  repre- 
sentation in  Presb^'terv,  was  answered  incorrectly. 

Your  committee  recommend  the  followmg  action :  («)  That  the  con- 
stitution knows  nothing  of  "provisional"  or  "special"  sessions,  though 
it  recognizes  the  power  of  commissions  to  transact  such  business  as 
may  be  committed  to  them  by  the  several  courts,  {b)  That  the  consti- 
tution knows  nothing  of  a  chui'ch  organized  without  proper  officers. 
(Form  of  Government,  Chap.  II.,  Sec.  IV.,  Pars.  1  and  2.)  (c)  That  nO 
church  constituted  as  the  Bethel  church  has  the  right  of  representa- 
tion in  the  Presbytery.  An  elder  in  one  church  cannot  be  an  elder  in 
another  church  at  the  same  time.  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V., 
Sec.  III.,  Par.  1.) 

P.  210.  Items  (a)  and  (c)  were  sustained.  Item  (J))  was  stricken 
out.     As  thus  amended  the  recommendation  was  adopted. 


CHAPTEK    If. 

THE    PRESBYTERY. 

92.    The  original  Presbyteries. 

1861,  p.  5.  The  first  Assembly  at  Augusta  was  composed  of  com- 
missioners from  the  following  Presbyteries :  Arkansas,  Bethel,  Brazos, 
Central  Mississippi,  Central  Texas,  Charleston,  Cherokee,  Chickasaw, 
Concord,  Creek  Nation,  East  Alabama,  East  Hanover,  East  Mississipjii, 
Eastern  Texas,  FayetteriUe,  Flint  River,  Florida,  Georgia,  Greenbrier, 
Harmony,  Holston,  Hopewell,  Indian,  Knox^ille,  Lexington,  Louisiana, 


48  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

Maury,  Memphis,  Mississippi,  Montgomery,  Nashville,  New  Orleans, 
North  Mississippi,  Orange,  Ouachita,  Potomac,  Eed  Eiver,  Eoanoke, 
South  Alabama,  South  Carolina,  Tombeckbee,  Tuscaloosa,  Tuscmnbia, 
Western  District,  Western  Texas,  West  Hanover,  Winchester. 

The  Presbyteries  composing  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  at  the  time  of 
its  union  with  the  Assembly,  in  1869,  were :  Central  Ohio,  Ebenezer, 
Louisville,  Muhlenburg,  Paducah,  Transylvania,  and  West  Lexing-ton. 

The  Presbyteries  constituting  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  received  in 
1874,  were :  Lafayette,  Missouri,  Palmyra,  Potosi,  St.  Loiiis,  and  Up- 
per Missoiiri. 

93.  Presbyterial  changes  m  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

In  1866  tlie  Presbyteries  composiug  the  Synod  of  Georgia  were  :  Cherokee,  Fhut 
Kiver,  Florida,  Georgia,  Hopewell.  These  were  re-orgauized,  and  there  appear  in 
1867,  in  their  stead,  the  following  Presbyteries  :  Atlanta,  Augusta,  Cherokee, 
Florida,  Macon,  and  Savannah.  -  (Page  129.) 

94.  Tlie  Presbyteries  of  Potomac  and  Winchester. 

1861,  p.  9.  Dr.  McFarland,  from  the  committee  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  determination  of  the  Sjaiodical  relation  of  the  Presbyteries- 
of  Winchester  and  Potomac  reported,  recommending  that  they  he  en- 
rolled as  Presbyteries  "heretofore  belonging  to  the  Synod  of  Balti- 
more."    Adopted. 

In  October,  18()1,  a  commiiuicatiou  was  received  from  Winchester  Presbytery  by 
the  Synod  of  Virginia,  "in  regard  to  a  transfer  to  the  Synod  of  Virginia,"  and  the 
following  resoliation  was  adopted  : 

Resi lived,  That  should  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester  become  a  constituent  part  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  C'hurch  in  the  Confederate  States  of 
America,  the  Synod  of  Virginia  hereby  cordially  assents  to  the  reunion  of  said 
Presbytery  with  itself. 

In  1862  members  of  Winchester  Presbytery  were  enrolled  and  sat  as  members, 
without  any  formal  reception  of  the  Presbytery,  so  far  as  the  records  of  tlie  Synod 

go- 

The  Potomac  Presbytery,  which  belonged  to  the  Synod  of  Baltimore,  and  which 
was  recognized  by  the  Assembly  of  1861  as  one  of  its  constituent  jiarts,  received  no 
further  recognition  from  the  Assembly,  and  none  at  all  from  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 
It  is  presumable  that  it  continued  its  connection  with  the  Synod  of  Baltimore.  It 
must  not  be  confounded  with  a  second  Presbytery  of  Potomac,  organized  liy  the 
Synod  of  Virginia  in  1864,  whose  territory  lay  to  the  east  of  the  Blue  Kidge  and 
north  of  the  Presbyteries  of  West  and  East  Hanover,  and  whose  members  sat  in 
the  Synod  of  1865  as  belonging  to  the  Potomac  Presbyterj'.  —  A. 

95.   jVeto  Presbyteries. 

In  the  enrollment  of  1867,  the  Presbyteries  of  Abingdon  and  Kappaliauuock,  in 
the  Synod  of  Virginia,  appear  for  the  first  time  in  the  Assembly.  Other  new  Pres- 
byteries appear  tirst  as  follows  :  In  1865,  North  Alabama  ;  in  1866,  Potomac  ;  in 
1869,  Wilmington  and  Chesapeake  ;  in  1870,  Mecklenburg  ;  in  1872,  Sao  Paulo  ; 
in  187:^,  Tuscumbia  ;  in  1874,  Hangchow  :  in  1878,  Maryland  and  St.  John  ;  in 
1879,  Dallas  and  Euoree;  in  1880,  Paris  and  Athens;  in  1884,  Pine  Bluff;  in  1885, 
Washl)urn.  The  Synod  of  Nashville  in  1875  changed  the  name  of  North  Alnbania 
Presbytery  to  Columbia.  In  18(i7,  the  Presbytery  of  Patapsco  having  united  with 
the  Assembly,  was  attached  to  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 

96.  Presbyteries  that  have  disappeared  from  the  roll. 

The  Synods  having  dissolved  them,  or  united  them  with  other  Presbyteries,  or 
changed  their  names,  the  following  I'resbyteries  disappear  from  the  roll,  the  figures 
denoting  the  year  in  which  their  names  last  apjiear  on  the  roll  of  the  Assembly: 
In  1864,  Maury ;  1865,  Creek  Nation ;  1866,  East  Mississippi  and  Potomac ;  1868, 


Secs.  97,  98.]  Chukch  Courts.  49 

Tuscumbia;  1869,  Rappahannock  and  Pataiisco.  These  were  united  by  Synod, 
and  name  chau<^ed  to  Chesapeake.  1877,  Central  Ohio ;  1879,  Upper  Missouri,  ab- 
sorbed into  Lafayette  Presbytery,  but  reconstituted  by  Synod  in  1882 ;  1881,  Sao 
Paulo. 

97.  Secession  of  Charleston  Union  Presbytery. 

1870,  p.  507.  The  Coiximittee  on  Foreign  CoiTespondence  begs 
leave  to  report : 

That  it  has  examined  the  jirinted  document  addressed  to  this  Assem- 
bly, which  proves  to  be  a  statement  of  reasons  by  certain  ministers  re- 
siding in  the  city  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  for  "withdrawing  from  the  Prea- 
bj'tery  of  Charleston,  and  reconstituting  the  old  Charleston  Union 
Presbytery  as  an  independent  body. 

The  grounds  of  disaffection  appear  to  be  the  action  taken  by  the  last 
General  Assembly,  declaring  it  to  be  "  contrary  to  our  standards  for 
one  of  our  ministers  to  remain  the  permanent  supply  of  a  church  of 
another  denomination " ;  and  their  opposition  to  the  new  Book  of 
Church  Order,  which  they  assume  as  being  endorsed  by  the  Church, 
and  certain  to  be  adopted  as  her  organic  law.  However  ill-advised  and 
premature  this  withdrawal  may  be,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Book 
of  Church  Order  is  not  yet  accepted  by  the  Church,  and  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  this  particular  act  of  legislation  excejDted  against  is  still  un- 
der consideration  by  this  Assembly,  through  an  overture  from  one  of 
its  own  Presbyteries — still,  as  the  paper  referred  to  this  committee  is 
neither  a  complaint  nor  an  appeal,  but  simj)ly  an  official  notification  of 
the  final  withdrawal  of  those  parties  from  our  jurisdiction,  no  action  is 
called  for  on  the  part  of  this  Assembly ;  and  the  committee  recom- 
mend that  the  subject  be  dismissed  from  further  consideration. 
Adopted. 

'  98.  Presbytery  of  Sao  Paulo. 

1871,  p.  16.  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  I).  D.,  Secretary  of  Foreign 
Missions,  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  the  question  of  or- 
ganizing a  Presbyters'  in  Brazil.  The  subject  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foreign  Missions. 

Page  29.  That  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted : 

1.  That  Eev.  G.  Nash  Morton,  Rev.  Edward  Lane,  Rev.  James  R. 
Baird,  and  Rev.  AV.  C.  Emerst)n,  with  the  church  in  Campinas,  be  de- 
tached from  their  Presbyteries,  and  they  hereby  are  constituted  into  a 
Presbytery,  to  be  called  the  Presbytery  of  Sao  Paulo,  in  connection 
with  the  S>Tiod  of  Virginia. 

2.  The  boundaries  of  said  Presbytery  shall  be  commensurate  with 
the  Hmits  of  the  kingdom  of  Brazil. 

3.  The  Presbytery  of  Sao  Paulo  is  directed  to  meet  in  Campinas  on 
Saturday  before  the  second  Sabbath  in  January,  1872,  at  11  o'clock 
A.  M.,  and  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  James  R.  Baird,  or  in 
case  of  his  absence  or  inabihty,  by  Rev.  Edward  Lane,  who  shall  pre- 
side till  a  moderator  is  elected. 

1872,  p.  lol.  The  stated  clerk  annomiced  that  authentic  informa- 
tion had  been  received  that  this  oi*der  of  the  Assembly  had  been  com- 
plied with.  Whereupt)]!  said  Presbytery  was  enrolled  in  connection, 
with  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 

This  Presbytery  was  dissolved  by  SjTiod,  November.  1881. 
4 


50  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

99.  Presbytery  of  Hangchoio. 

1874,  p.  480.  Resolved,  That  a  Presbytery  be,  and  is  hereby,  or- 
ganized in  China,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Hang- 
chow,  to  consist  of  the  Eev.  Messrs.  M.  H.  Honston,  Ben.  Hehn,  John 
L.  Stuart,  H.  C.  Dubose,  John  W.  Davis,  and  Ruhng  Elder  Chew-Sien- 
Sen ;  that  said  Presbytery  be  attached  to  the  S_>Tiod  of  Kentucliy' ;  that 
its  first  meeting  shall  be  held  in  Hangchow,  on  the  first  Thui'sday  of 
November,  1874,  at  11  o'clock  a.  m.,  to  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by 
Rev.  M.  H.  Houston,  or  in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the  oldest  minister 
present. 

1874,  p.  523.  Eev.  J.  W.  Pratt  ofTered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  whole  foreign  field  lies  outside  of 
the  purview  of  the  constitution  of  the  Chm'ch  at  the  tune  of  its  adop- 
tion, this  Assembly  emphatically  declares  that  no  action  it  has  ever 
taken,  or  may  take,  erecting  Presb^'teries  in  such  foreign  fields,  shall 
be  interpreted  as  violating  that  provision  of  the  constitution  which  vests 
in  the  SjTiod  alone  the  power  to  erect  new  Presbyteries. 

1875,  p.  33.  Overture  from  the  Rev.  M.  H.  Houston,  the  Rev.  B. 
Helm,  the  Rev.  H.  C.  Dubose,  and  the  Rev.  John  W.  Davis,  members 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Hangchow,  China,  asking  the  Assembly  to  dis- 
solve said  Presbytery,  and  restore  the  memorialists  to  the  Presbyteries 
to  which  they  originally  belonged. 

This  overture  raises  the  question  of  the  constitutional  power  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  establish  or  dissolve  Presbyteries  on  foreign  soil, 
and  also  the  important  practical  inquiry,  whether  our  missionaries 
abroad  should  become  associated  with  natives  in  the  composition  of 
Presbyteries ;  or  whether,  holding  their  membership  in  the  home  Pres- 
byteries, they  should,  as  evangelists,  sustain  a  catholic  relation  to  the 
foreign  field.  In  view  of  the  difiiculty  of  these  questions,  and  the  de- 
sirableness of  settHng  our  policy  in  regard  to  these  matters,  the  com- 
mittee recommend  the  Assembly  to  aj)point  a  committee,  consisting  of 
John  B.  Adger,  D.  D.,  John  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  and  Thomas  E. 
Peck,  D.  D.,  who  shall  be  charged  with  the  consideration  of  this  sub- 
ject, and  who  shall  report  to  the  next  Assembly.     Adoj^ted. 

1876,  p.  232.  This  committee  submitted  a  report  on  this  memorial, 
as  required.  This  report,  having  been  amended  by  the  addition  of  cer- 
tain resolutions  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Mallard,  was  adopted. 

This  action  was  reconsidered  the  next  day  (p.  237),  and  the  first 
resolution  of  the  paper  presented  by  Rev.  Dr.  Mallard  having  been 
amended  by  striking  out  the  words  "on  foreign  grounds,"  was  re- 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

In  reference  to  the  constitutional  question,  the  Assembly  adopts  the 
following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  has  no  constitutional  power 
to  establish  or  dissolve  Presbji;eries,  and  accordingly,  that  the  breth- 
ren of  whom  the  Assembly  of  1874  proposed  to  constitute  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Hangchow  are  now,  and  have  been,  de  jure,  members  ot 
the  same  Presbyteries  to  which  they  belonged  at  the  time  of  such 
action. 

1876,  p.  298.  The  following  is  the  report  of  the  committee  alluded 
to  above,  and  adopted : 


Seo.  99.]  Church  Couets.  61 

The  subsci-ibers  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  General  Assembly  the  following  report : 
Two  questions  we  understand  to  be  here  referred  to  our  consideration,  and  we 
are  expected  to  give  a  reply  to  each.     The  first  is,  Has  the  General  Assembly  con- 
stitutional power  to  establish  or  dissolve  Presbyteries  on  foreign  soil  ? 

This  question  your  committee  have  not  found  to  be  altogether  devoid  of  diffi- 
culty; but,  after  fully  confening  together,  and  giving  to  the  subject  theii-  best 
consideration,  it  appiars  to  them  that  it  must  be  answered  in  the  negative,  for  the 
following,  amongst  other  reasons  : 

1.  Our  General  Assembly  is  that  of  the  "Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,"  iiud  it  can  on\-  "represent  in  one  body  all  the  jjarticular  churches  of  this 
denomination."  In  the  nature  of  representative  government,  it  cannot  superintend 
any  other.  Its  business  is  defined  generally  as  "the  promotion  of  charity,  truth 
and  holiness  through  all  the  churches  under  their  (its)  care. "  Neither  constitu- 
tionally, nor  yet  in  accordance  with  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Presbyterian 
system,  considered  apart  from  our  actual  constitution,  as  we  understand  them,  can 
it  have,  under  Us  aire,  any  churches  in  foreign  countries,  except  in  so  far  as  those 
churches,  through  Presbyteries  legitimately  established  over  them,  are  entitled  to 
send  commissioners,  chosen  by  themselves,  to  represent  them  in  its  deliberations. 
No  inherent  or  extra-constitutional  rights  which  may  possibly  be  ascribed  to  it  will 
warrant  our  Assembly's  undertaking  to  control  or  take  care  of  the  churches  of  any 
Presbyteries  which  are  not  its  own  constituents  ;  but, 

2.  A  Presbytery  is  a  representative  body,  and  cannot  be  set  up  by  any  outside 
power  where  there  are  no  churches,  or  where  these  do  not  elect  their  own  repre- 
sentatives. Where  churches  exist  in  a  foreign  land,  it  is  their  right  and  diity  to 
associate  themselves  together  in  a  classical  Presbytery,  through  the  joint  action  of 
their  resiJective  sessions,  and  out  of  these  Presbyteries  may  then  grow  the  higher 
coui-ts. 

3.  The  constitution  makes  it  the  Jjusmess  of  Synods,  and  not  of  the  Assembly,  to 
erect  new  Presbyteries,  and  unite  or  divide  them.  If  ov;r  General  Assembly  is  not 
competent  to  erect  a  new  I'resbytery  at  home,  where,  undeniably,  it  has  a  sphere  of 
constitutional  right,  then  a  fortiori  it  cannot  erect  one  in  any  foreign  land,  where  it 
represents  no  churches,  and  can  claim  no  representative  power.  No  one  amongst 
us  holds  that  the  Assembly  has  constitutional  aiithority  to  ordain  a  foreign  mission- 
ary. Ho\\-,  then,  can  it  establish  a  foreign  Presbj'tery,  so  creutinr/  absolutely,  as  it 
were,  and  withoiit  the  necessary  materials,  a  whole  representative  body  ? 

It  wiU  be  objected  that  this  Ls  a  very  strict  and  narrow  view  of  the  A.ssembly's 
powers,  and,  indeed,  of  the  nature  of  oiu-  courts  generally.  And  this  is  freely  ad- 
mitted ;  but  strict  construction  is  the  doctrine  our  Church  is  committed  to  by  every 
fact  of  her  history,  and  every  lesson  of  her  past  experience. 

It  will  be  said  that  there  are  precedents  for  the  Assembly's  setting  up  a  Presby- 
tery, both  within  the  bounds  of  Synods,  and  also  outside  the  limits  of  the  settled 
Church-state.  And  this  is  admitted ;  for  in  a  few  instances,  Assemblies  have  been 
known  to  override  Synods  and  Presbyteries.  But  then,  our  Chiirch,  we  suppose,  is 
thoroughly  committed  to  the  doctrine  that  the  Assembly  cannot  be  allowed  to  in- 
fringe upon  the  rights  and  duties  of  the  lower  courts,  or  to  have  any  ori(jiit<d  juris- 
diction over  Presbyteries,  ministers,  or  churches.  No  argument,  therefore,  drawn 
from  any  such  precedents  as  these  can  have  force  with  lis. 

It  will  also  be  ixrged  that  our  constitution  does  not  contemplate  Foreign  ilissions 
at  all,  and  that  it  cotild  not  be  expected  to  provide  for  the  Assembly's  relation  to 
churches  on  heathen  soil ;  so  that  it  is  unfair  to  press  the  strict  construction  of  its 
powers— that  some  latitude  of  interpretation  must  be  allowed;  and,  in  fact,  that  we 
must  make  new  applications  of  our  principles,  to  meet  the  new  circumstances  that 
rise  around  us  from  time  to  time.  It  is  sufficient  to  reply  to  all  this,  that  in  no  case 
ought  we  to  make  any  such  new  applications  of  our  principles  as  will  contradict  our 
fundamental  doctrine  touching  the  representative  character  of  the  Assembly,  and  of 
all  our  courts. 

Now,  then,  it  appears  to  us,  that  if  the  Assembly  had  no  constitutional  power  to 
establish  a  Presbytery  of  Hangchow,  there  exists  no  such  Presbyter j'  for  it  to  dis- 
solve.    But, 

4.  Besides  these  constitutional  objections  to  our  Assembly's  settuig  up  a  Presby- 
tery of  its  own  in  China,  or  any  other  foreign  country,  there  is  another  objection 
of  a  different  sort,  viz. :  that  we  ought  not  to  seek  to  propagate  our  own  distinctive 
Presbyterian  body  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  but  rather  to  disseminate  simply 
the  principles  and  doctrines  that  we  hold.  Is  it  not  better  that,  instead  of  various 
separate  Presbyterian  denominations,  say  in  Chinp.,  all  the  Chinese  Presbj-terians 
should,  if  possible,  form  one  Presbyterian  Chtirch  ?    But  this  cannot  be,  if  every 


52  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

different  Presbyterian  Cliurch  shall  undertake  to  propagate  itself  by  new  branches 
planted  in  China  and  every  foreign  laud. 

It  may  be  alleged  that,  according  to  this  view,  onr  Asssembly  cannot  do  anything 
towards  spreading  the  Divine  system  of  Presbytery  abroad.  It  is  answered  that  that 
system  provides  for  its  own  spread  in  foreign  lands,  not  only  iu  a  way  more  consis- 
tent with  itself,  but  far  more  effieieut,  than  the  way  of  direct  intervention  by  the 
Assembly.  The  Presbyterian  system,  as  it  is  set  before  its  in  the  Scriptures,  recog- 
nizes evangelists  or  ■missionui'ies,  extraordinary  officers,  endued  by  Presbyteries  with 
extraordinary  powers,  and  sent  abroad  outside  the  bounds  of  the  settled  Church- 
state  which  the  courts  of  the  Church  directly  rule  over.  They  are  sent  to  found  new 
churches,  and  ordain  pastors  and  teachers  over  them.  These  churches  are  free- 
born,  and  have  the  .inherent  right  of  self-government,  through  rulers  whom  the 
Lord  authorizes  them  to  elect.  The  General  Assembly,  under  our  constitution, 
cannot  establish  a  Presbytery  over  them.  And,  indeed,  for  the  General  Assembly, 
under  any  constitution,  it  would  be  a  work  of  supererogation  to  imdertake  to  set  up 
such  a  Presbytery;  because  just  as  soon  as  the  evangelist  ordains  "elders  in  every 
church  "  of  any  foreign  land,  these,  of  inherent  right  and  according  to  necessary 
duty,  must  affiliate  together  in  a  classical  Presbytery,  or  Presbyteries,  out  of  which 
the  higher  courts  will  grow  by  a  natural  develo^sment. 

We  here  encounter  necessarily  the  question,  What  are  the  powers  of  the  true 
evangelist,  and  what  his  relations  to  the  coi;rts  of  the  Church  ?  It  is  comparatively 
a  new  question,  and  it  is  a  difficult  one,  because  new.  It  may  be  said  that  Foreign 
Missions — modern  Protestant  Missions,  the  glory  of  this  age — were  not  yet  born 
when  OUT  constitution  was  drawn  laj^.  It  contains,  therefore,  nothing  like  a  full 
presentation,  or  exact  statement,  of  the  duties  and  powers  of  the  evangelist  ;  in 
fact,  it  makes  only  once  the  slightest  allusion  to  any  siich  officer.  And,  while  it 
gives  us  a  short  chapter  on  Missions,  it  would  seem,  perhaps,  that  the  reference 
there  is  altogether  to  vacancies  or  destitutions  within  the  bounds  of  our  established 
Presbyteries.  In  like  manner,  also,  when  we  ascend  beyond  the  peri  od  of  the  for- 
mation of  our  own  constitution,  we  tind  in  older  Presbyterian  formularies  little  or 
nothing  on  the  subject  of  Missions.  Our  fathers,  during  the  Reformation  period, 
and  long  afterwards,  were  absorbed  with  defensive  operations,  and  accordingly 
they  thought  little  and  wrote  little  about  evangelistic  work.  We  are,  therefore, 
comi)elled  to  betake  ourselves  directly  to  the  Scriptures,  and  we  have  to  consider 
what  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Church  government  therein  revealed  in- 
volve, and  what  the  examples  of  apostolic  missionary  work  authorize ;  and  so,  in 
the  new  circumstances  of  her  modern  aggressive  warfare,  the  Church  of  to-day  is 
to  work  oiit  for  itself  an  answer  to  the  question.  Who  and  what,  ecclesiastically 
speaking,  is  the  evangelist  or  missionary  ? 

Accoiding  to  the  best  judgment  your  committee  have  been  able  to  form  on  this 
subject,  the  evangelist  or  missionary  is  the  minister  of  the  Word,  commissioned  by 
the  Presbytery  to  go  into  foreign  or  frontier  parts  with  powers  which  he  could  not 
be  allowed  to  wield  within  the  settled  C^hurch-state.  He  is  invested  not  merely 
with  the  "several  jDower  "  of  preaching  the  Word  and  administering  the  sacraments, 
which  belongs,  by  virtue  of  his  ordination,  to  every  teaching  elder,  but  he  carries 
also  vrith  him  in  his  single  hand  what  belongs  to  no  minister  at  home,  biit  only  to 
courts  (what  Gillespie  calls  "the  power  of  jurisdiction"),  being  commissioned  by 
his  Presbytery  to  organize  churches,  to  ordain  church  officers,  to  admit,  suspend, 
and  excommunicate,  and  to  receive  again  church  members.  He  is  not  an  apostle — 
the  primitive  evangelists  were  not  apostles.  The  modern  missionary  gives  none  of 
the  signs  of  an  apostle.  On  the  other  hand,  he  is  not  a  jirelatical  bishop;  for  he 
has  been  sent  to  the  "regions  beyond,"  where  there  are  no  churches  and  no  Pres- 
byteries for  the  one-man  power  to  dominate  over;  where  there  is  not  even,  perhaps, 
a  single  In-other  to  aid  him  in  his  work,  so  that  he  must  act  singly  and  rule  by  him- 
self, or  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  by  the  Church  remain  undone ;  because  the 
Divine  system  of  Chinch  government  possesses,  as  we  might  expect,  all  needful 
elasticity.  Church  courts  belong  to  the  regular  and  settled  Church-state,  but  the 
kingdom  is  to  spread  over  the  whole  world,  and  so  it  is  appointed  that  the  solitary 
evangelists  shall  precede  the  eldership.  He  must  go,  found  and  plant— go  organ- 
ize churches,  each  with  its  necessary  plurality  of  elders  to  govern  it;  and  then  his 
extraordinary  one-man  power  of  rule  must  go  again  outside  the  regular  Church- 
state — must  remove  to  regions  still  further  beyond.  It  is  indeed  a  great  and  emi- 
nent office  the  evangelist  exercises,  but  the  Lord  Himself  gave  it  to  the  Church  for 
her  spreading  abroad.  Let  her  see  to  it,  in  view  of  the  high  and  responsible 
powers  it  involves,  that  she  never  commits  this  office  excejit  to  her  most  carefully 
selected  men. 


# 

,'"' 


Sec.  99.]  Church  Courts.  53 

Now,  whilst  the  missionarj'  goes  abroad,  he  continues  still  to  be  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  which  sends  him  out,  and  so  he  retains  his  hold  upon  the  Church  at 
home,  and  so  it  retains  its  hold  ui^on  him.  And  although  from  the  very  circum- 
stances of  the  case  the  Presbytery  is  not  able  to  regiilate  his  administration  of  that 
power  of  jurisdiction  which  has  been  committed  by  it  to  him  in  distinction  from 
the  teaching  elder  at  home ;  although  he  has  gone  far  away  from  its  watch  and 
supervision,  aud  is  dealing  ^^'ith  a  foreign  people,  through  a  foreign  language  all 
unknown  to  the  Presbyterj',  yet  he  is  respousilsle  still  to  that  Presbytery.  And 
should  evidence  reach  the  body  that  he  has  become  heretical  or  immoral,  or  is 
guilty  of  any  irregular  proceedings  requiring  the  intervention  of  its  disciplinary 
and  corrective  power,  it  can  recall  him,  and,  after  trial  and  conviction,  depose  him, 
or  indict  some  other  more  suitable  censure. 

In  like  manner,  the  General  Assembly,  through  its  executive  committee,  exer- 
cises a  control  over  the  evangelist  abroad ;  but  in  this  case  the  control  is  neces- 
sarily, for  the  7nost  j)art,  of  a  more  general  character.  He  is  engaged,  employed, 
appointed,  and  sent  forth  by  them ;  and  he  must,  as  a  matter  of  course,  be  respon- 
sible, in  a  general  sense,  to  them  for  all  his  conduct.  Such  is  the  relation  which 
our  highest  court  sustains  through  its  committee  to  the  work  of  IMissions  in  frontier 
and  foreign  parts.  To  that  court  is  it  given  to  go  outside  the  bounds  of  all  our 
Synods  and  Presbyteries,  even  to  the  remotest  portions  of  the  globe,  and  acting  for 
our  whole  Church,  send  forth  and  sustain  the  missionaries  of  salvation  amongst  the 
nations.  Our  foreign  missionaries  do  most  emphatically  stand  related  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  as  the  body  which,  acting  for  our  whole  Church,  enables  them  to 
carry  on  her  great  work.  It  is  the  Assembly  which  provides  for  the  support  of  the 
evangelist  and  all  his  undei-takings,  aud,  of  course,  it  must  have  a  voice  in  direct- 
ing all  his  movements.  He  is  placed  by  the  Assembly,  through  its  committee,  in  a 
certain  tield,  where,  like  an  obedient  son  of  the  Church,  he  must  labor  in  the  particu- 
lar department  of  the  work  to  whicli  it  appoints  him,  or  else  he  must  not  undertake 
thus  to  serve  the  Chi;rch,  but  leave  such  work  for  a  more  tractable  agent.  If  he  is 
willing  thus  to  be  directed,  it  is  for  the  committee  to  say  what  measure  of  support 
it  can  furnish  him  and  his  native  helpers  and  his  various  schemes  of  operation.  If 
he  wishes  to  set  n\^  a  school,  or  a  college,  or  a  ijrinting  press,  or  to  make  a  long  and 
expensive  tour  for  observation  or  for  preaching,  it  is  for  the  committee  to  say 
whether  they  ajiprove  and  can  furnish  the  needful  means  or  not.  Nor  has  he  any 
right,  without  the  committee's  consent,  to  quit  the  tield  to  which  he  has  been  sent, 
or  to  shift  his  missionary  headquarters  from  one  part  of  the  same  held  to  another, 
or,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  to  return  home.  Thus  the  Assembly,  through  its 
committee,  has  the  general  control  and  direction  of  the  missionary  abroad,  and 
they  can  require  him  to  abandon  or  amend  any  scheme  involving  expenditure  of 
funds  which  they  may  deem  to  be  unwise ;  they  may  call  upon  him  to  leave  one  re- 
gion of  country  and  go  to  another,  or  to  quit  the  foreign  work  and  return  home. 
They  cannot  tell  him  when  and  whom  to  baptize,  where  aud  of  whom  to  organize 
a  church,  where  or  whom  to  ordain  for  deacons,  rulers,  or  teachers ;  neither  yet  are 
they  to  instruct  him  what  or  how  he  is  to  ])reach ;  because  it  is  not  from  them  he 
derived  either  the  several  powers  of  the  minister,  or  that  power  of  jurisdiction  com- 
mitted to  him  as  an  evangelist.  Yet,  if  he  should  be  guilty  of  any  serioiis  irregu- 
larity in  baptizing  those  persons,  organizing  those  chiirches,  or  ordaining  those  of- 
fice-bearers ;  or  if  he  should  fall  away  into  any  heresy  or  immorality,  it  would  be 
for  the  Assembly,  through  its  committee,  to  remonstrate,  and,  if  possible,  in  this 
way  induce  him  to  correct  his  errors,  and  even  to  withdraw  their  appointment  and 
his'  support,  and  to  report  him  to  his  Presbytery,  for  it  to  deal  with  him  in  the  way 
of  discipline.  It  is  the  Presbytery  which  entrusted  him  with  the  two-fold  power, 
and  to  the  Presbytery  he  is  responsible  for  his  use  or  abuse  of  it.  The  Assembly 
cannot  exercise  original  jurisdiction  ov.er  the  minister,  the  particular  church,  nor 
even  the  whole  Presbytery  at  home ;  and  so  it  cannot  override  any  Presbytery  to 
take  original  jurisdiction  of  the  missionary  it  has  sent  abroad.  That  must  needs 
remain  with  the  Presbytery.  It  alone  can  deal  \\'ith  the  missionary  j  udicially  for 
heresy,  for  immorality,  or  for  the  improjjer  aud  unwarranted  exercise  of  the  pecu- 
liar authority  it  has  given  him  as  an  evangelist  in  the  "regions  beyond." 

It  would  seem,  then,  to  follow,  that  just  as  the  Assembly  may  not  intrude  into 
the  sphere  of  the  S3mod  at  home,  nor  violate  the  inherent  rights  of  the  native 
churches  abroad,  so  far  as  to  set  up  a  Presbytery  by  its  own  act,  in  any  foreign 
land;  so  it  may  not,  by  the  same  kind  of  action,  interfere  with  the  proper  func- 
tions of  the  evangelist,  the  sole  founder  of  those  native  churches,  the  sole  ap- 
pointed agent  for  introducing  amongst  foreign  converts  the  advantages  of  ecclesi- 
astical organization,  thereto  commissioned  and  authorized  by  his  Presbytery,  under 


54  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

a  direct  responsibility  to  it  for  the  time,  mode,  and  circumstances  of  his  employing 
that  authority.  Any  such  step  hj  the  Assembly  we  are  constrained  to  regard  as 
unconstitutional,  and  also  (so  far  as  regards  the  inherent  right  of  the  native 
churches  to  self-government  through  their  own  representatives)  unscriptural,  and 
therefore  void. 

The  second  question  which  the  Assembly  has  appointed  i;s  to  answer  is,  whether 
our  missionaries  abroad  should  become  associated  with  natives  in  the  composition 
of  Presbyteries. 

Ordinarily,  this  question  also,  it  appears  to  your  committee,  must  receive  a  neg- 
ative answer,  because — 

1.  These  missionaries  are  evangelists,  and  their  office  cannot,  in  the  nature  of 
things,  be  conjoined,  in  any  strict  sense,  with  the  pastorate.  The  evangelist  foiinds, 
the  pastor  builds  up.  The  evangelist  is  temporary,  the  pastor  is  permanent.  If 
the  missionary  become  the  pastor  of  a  native  church,  he  must  settle  down  to  the 
work  chiefly  of  edifying  that  chiirch,  and  must  cease  to  give  himself  to  the  business 
chiefly  of  founding  new  churches.  If  he  become  associated  with  native  pastors  in 
a  Presbytery,  his  office  of  evangelist  or  missionary,  from  the  very  nature  of  "the 
case,  must  come  to  an  end.  He  mi;st  cease  to  be  an  extraordinary  office-bearer, 
working  outside  the  settled  Church-state,  and  entering  into  that  state  now  estab- 
lished amongst  the  pagans,  he  must  thencefor\\ard  rule  jointly  with  his  co-equal 
brethren,  instead  of  exercising  severally  his  proper  evangelistic  powers. 

2.  In  ordinary  cases,  the  best  development  of  native  church  resoiirces  will  be 
made  under  the  system  which  calls  out  the  native  pastors,  and  piits  them  forward 
as  shepherds  of  the  flock. 

In  training  a  Christian  community  which  has  just  emerged  from  the  darkness  of 
heathenism,  it  has  been  well  said,  that  three  things  are  of  special  and  acknow- 
ledged importance  for  them  to  learn,  viz. :  ' '  self-government,  self-support,  and  self- 
propagation, "  using  the  word  sdfheve  in  a  special  sense.  In  the  first  place,  such  a 
community  must  learn  to  govern  itself,  whether  regard  be  had  to  the  conduct  of 
the  individual  or  of  the  organized  body.  Until  this  art  is  acquired,  there  can  be 
little  stability,  either  of  j^ersonal  or  ecclesiastical  character.  Mistakes  will  be  made, 
of  course,  in  their  attempts  at  Church  government  for  a  while,  bi;t  these  will  be 
overruled  by  their  Head  for  their  greater  progress.  But  so  long  as  the  foreign  mis- 
sionary holds  the  office  of  their  pastor,  the  danger  is  great  that  the  people  will 
silently  acquiesce  always  in  his  ruling,  -withoiit  their  learning  self-government  at 
all,  and  that  thiis  the  new  chi^rch  will  remain  always  in  the  condition  of  a  nursling. 

In  the  second  place,  the  native  pastor  can  be  su^jported  in  all  ordinary  cases  by 
the  native  church,  while  it  cannot  sui:)port  as  its  jiastor  one  of  the  foreign  mission- 
aries. The  habits,  associations,  circmnstances,  and  necessities  of  the  latter  are  alto- 
gether different  from  those  of  the  former.  Now,  a  i^astor  whom  the  people  can 
and  do  support,  is  better  suited  to  their  wants,  and  better  able  to  watch  over  them 
acceptably  and  successfully,  than  one  whose  necessities  it  exceeds  their  power  to 
supply.  And  not  only  there  cannot  be  in  such  a  case  those  close  bonds  of  confi- 
dence and  sympathy  which  should  exist  between  iiastor  and  people,  but  the  chief 
opportimity  for  exercising  self-supi:)ort  is  denied  to  such  a  church  by  siich  an  un- 
nati;ral  arrangement  of  its  pastorate. 

But  the  third  and  chief  thing  in  the  training  of  churches  among  the  heathen  is 
to  have  them  learn  to  propagate  amongst  others  the  faith  which  they  have  received 
and  professed.  No  heathen  land  can  be  thoroughly  evangelized  excei^t  through 
the  agency  of  its  own  people.  The  foreign  missionary,  with  the  Ijlessing  of  God, 
may  set  tlie  ball  in  motion,  and  for  a  time  shape  its  course.  But  it  is  for  men 
raised  i;pon  the  soil  to  continue  and  extend  the  work.  All  we.  can  hope  to  accom- 
plish, all  we  are  called  upon  to  attempt,  is  the  carrying  of  the  seed,  corn  to  the  na- 
tions. Foreigners  miast  jjlant  it  in  the  midst  of  thini,  but  they  must  themselves 
raise  the  successive  crops  which  are  to  give  bread  to  all  their  people  and  to  other 
surrounding  tribes.  In  this  view  of  the  subject,  the  missionary  enterprise  loses 
that  Quixotic  aspect  in  which  it  was  once  regarded  by  many  good  jieople,  and  is 
seen  to  be,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  a  perfectly  practicable  enterprise,  and  ac- 
cordingly to  be  as  sober  an  undertaking  as  it  is  sublime.  But  no  native  Christian 
community  will  ever  do  much  in  extending  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  to  regions 
beyond,  uuli>ss  it  has  been  trained  to  self-government  and  self-supporting  efforts 
on  behalf  of  the  gospel  among  themselves.  This  is  not  theory.  We  can  point  to 
the  precise  time  when  first  this  matter  came  to  be  understood  by  those  in  charge  of 
modern  Protestant  missions.  A  change  of  policy  has  develojied  new  life  in  the 
native  churches  all  over  the  world.  No  longer,  as  before,  merely  nurslings,  their 
dormant  energies  have  been  evoked,  and  the  efforts  many  of  them  are  now  putting 


Secs.  ioo-io;i]  Chuech  Couets.  55 

forth  for  the  propaj^'ation  of  the  faith,  and  the  success  attending  these  efforts,  may 
•well  be  regarded  l)y  the  home  churches  with  devout  and  thankful  •wonder. 

It  seems  to  your  committee,  therefore,  in  view  of  these  and  other  like  considera- 
tions, that  to  regard  the  missionary  as  a  true  and  proper  evangelist,  whose  business 
is  simply  to  plant  the  gospel  amongst  the  heathen, 'raising  up  natives  to  till  the  set- 
tled and  permanent  pastorate,  both  in  the  ruling  an(f  the  teaching  sjihere,  is  in  strict 
accordance  with  the  plan  and  example  of  the  inspired  apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  and 
also  with  the  principles  of  our  Divine  system  of  government ;  and  tends,  moreoA'er, 
to  the  fullest  and  most  rai>id  develoi)ment  of  the  Church  in  heathen  lands,  as  well 
as  prevents  all  necessity  for  a  hurtful  variety  of  Presbyterian  organizations  for  the 
converts  gained  by  missionaries  belonging  to  the  various  Presbyterian  bodies  in 
Europe  and  the  United  States. 

100.  Presbyter  led  Committees,  trhat  elders  may  be  appointed  on. 

1870,  p.  508.     From  the  Judicial  Committee : 

"Is  it  in  accordance  "W'itb  the  standards  of  our  Church  for  a  Pres- 
bytery to  appoint  on  a  committee  a  ruUng  elder  who  is  not  at  the  time 
a  member  of  Presbvteiy  ?  " 

The  committee  recommend  the  foUo-ndng  answer : 

As  ruling  elders  are  delegates  from  church  sessions,  and  members  of 
the  PresbyterA"  by  ^^rtue  of  their  commissions,  the  Assembly  is  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is  not  competent  for  the  Presbytery  to  appoint  on  a  com- 
mittee a  ruling  elder  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  Presbyters',  unless  ap- 
pointed on  a  committee  to  act  ad  interim.     Adopted. 

101.  Seating  elders  in  Presbytery  loho  have  not  been  appointed. 

1887,  p.  208.  The  Presbytery  of  Westem  District  asks  if  a  Presby- 
ten'  has  power  to  enr(j]l  a  well-known  ruhng  elder  from  a  church  within 
its  bounds  which  has  made  no  appointment  of  an  elder  to  represent  the 
church  in  the  Presbytery.  E  espouse :  The  Presbytery  has  no  power  to 
appoint  representatives  from  any  of  the  churches  in  its  boimds,  as  this 
power  belongs  exclusively  to  the  sessions. 

102.  Zs'  the  presence  of  a  ruliny  elder  necessary  to  a  quorum  of 

Presbytery  f 

1870,  p.  508.  In  response  to  an  overtiu'e  from  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  touching  this  constitutional  question,  the  Assembly  at  first 
decided  that  a  Presbyteiy  (the  Presbyters'  of  Charleston  being  referred 
to)  does  not  violate  any  pro'S'ision  of  the  constitution  of  the  church  by 
meeting  and  transacting  business  without  an  elder  enrolled ;  but  on  a 
reconsideration  of  the  matter  (page  510),  postponed  indefinitely  any 
action  on  the  overtiu-e. 

1871,  J).  14.  The  records  of  the  S^'nod  of  South  Carolina  were  ap- 
proved, it  being  miderstood,  ho\Vever,  that  the  Assembly  does  not  ex- 
press any  ojjinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  decision  of  the  Synod  in 
pronoimcing  irregular  a  meeting  of  Charleston  Presbytery  because  no 
moling  elder  w^as  present. 

The  new  Book  of  Church  Order  i)rovides  (Paragraph  74)  that  the  presence  of 
at  least  one  ruling  elder  is  necessary  to  a  cpiorum  of  Presbytery. 

103.    Chan  ye  in  the  number  of  elders  required  for  a  quorum. 

1887,  p.  200.  Presb;s'ten'  of  Tombeckbee  asks  that  an  amendment 
be  sent  dt)wn  to  the  Presbj-teries  changing  the  specific  number  of  elders 


56  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

required  for  a  quorum  of  a  Presbvtery  and  a  Synod.     Eequest  not 
granted. 

104.   Proceedings  of  a  Presbytery  held  mvay  from  the  place  appointed 

for  it  legalized. 

1876,  p.  217.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Alabama,  which, 
for  reasons  assigned,  held  its  spring  session  at  Union  Springs,  Ala- 
bama, instead  of  Pensacola,  Florida,  the  place  appointed  for  the  meet- 
ing, asking  the  Assembly  to  legahze  the  proceedings  of  that  meeting. 
This  prayer  of  Presbytery  was  granted. 

105.  Presbyteries  required  to  meet  tinice  a  year. 

1880,  p.  187.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Eoanoke,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  submit  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  approval,  the  follow- 
ing amendment  to  the  constitution,  viz. : 

To  strike  out  the  first  sentence  of  Article  VIII.,  Section  IV.,  Chap- 
ter v.,  of  the  Form  of  Government,  which  reads:  "The  Presbytery 
shaU  meet  at  least  twice  a  year  on  its  own  adjournment,"  and  substi- 
tute the  following :  "  It  shall  be  optional  with  each  Presbyteiy,  whether 
it  will  hold  one  or  two  stated  meetings  during  the  year." 

The  Assembly  declined  to  submit  this  amendment  to  the  Presbyteries. 

1878,  p.  651.  The  same  action  was  taken  in  response  to  an  overture 
from  Louisiana  Presbytery.     See  chapter  on  meetings  of  the  Assembly. 

106.  Presbytery  has  discretiori  in    the  manner  of  organizing  new 

chvrches. 

1882,  p,  571.  The  Presb^-teiy  of  St.  Johns  asks  if  Presbytery  has 
the  right  to  delegate  to  its  ministers  severally  authority  to  organize 
churches  where  the  way  is  clear. 

Ansioer :  The  Form'of  Government  gives  to  Presbyteries  the  power 
"to  form  and  receive  new  chiu-ches,"  and  the  time  and  manner  of  the 
exercise  of  this  power  may  be  safely  left  to  the  sound  discretion  of  each 
Presbytery. 

107.  Original  J  iirisdiction  of  Presbyteries  in  case  of  riding  elders  and 

members,  vibe7i  the  session  cajinot  act. 

1884,  p.  236,  The  Presbytery  of  Winchester  overtiu-es  the  General 
Assembly  to  take  steps  to  amend  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V., 
Sec.  IV.,' Art.  VI.,  and  Eules  of  Disciphne,  Chaps.  V.  and  VII.,  so  as  to 
invest  Presbytery  with  the  power  to  institute  process  against  a  ruling 
elder,  or  a  private  member  of  the  church,  in  cases  where  the  session  is 
unable  to  exercise  its  authority. 

Answer :  The  committee  recommends  that  this  overture  be  referred 
to  a  special  committee,  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 
Adopted. 

Eev.  E.  Daniel,  D.  D.,  Eev.  J.  L.  CaldweU,  and  Euhng  Elder  T.  N. 
Martin,  were  appointed  as  the  committee. 

1885,  p.  406.  The  report  of  the  ad  interim  committee  to  whom  was 
referred  the  overture  of  Winchester  Presbytery  to  the  last  Assembly, 
touching  the  amendment  of  the  Form  of  Government  so  as  to  invest 
Presbyterj'  with  the  power  to  institute  process  against  a  ruling  elder, 


Secs.  108-111.]  Church  Courts.  57 

or  private  member  of  the  church,  in  cases  where  the  session  is  unable 
to  exercise  its  authority,  was  presented  and  refeiTed  to  a  committee 
consisting  of  Eev.  F.  M.  Woods,  Rev.  J.  H.  Leps,  Rev.  N.  Keff  Smith, 
C.  H.  Breck,  and  W.  W.  ^lurray. 

1885,  p.  424.  This  committee  presented  the  foUowing  report,  whicli 
was  adopted: 

Your  committee  recommend  that  the  request  be  granted,  and  that 
the  fullo^^ang  amendments  be  recommended  to  the  Presbyteries  for 
their  advice  and  consent  thereunto : 

1.  That  in  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  TV.,  Art.  VI.,  after  the 
words  of  first  clause,  "in  an  orderly  manner,''  shall  be  inserted  these 
words :  "  and  in  cases  in  which  the  session  cannot  exercise  its  authority, 
shall  have  power  to  assume  original  jimsdiction." 

2.  That  in  Rules  of  Discipline,  Chap.  V.,  Art.  I.,  after  the  words, 
"  and  in  relation  to  other  church  members  to  the  session,"  shall  be 
added  the  words,  "  unless  the  session  shall  be  imable  to  try  the  person 
or  persons  accused,  in  which  case  the  Presbytery  shall  have  the  right 
of  jurisdiction." 

3.  That  in  Rules  of  Discipline,  Chap.  VII.,  Art.  I.,  after  the  words, 
"  to  which  such  members  belong,"  shall  be  added  the  words,  "  except 
in  cases  in  which  the  session  is  rendered  incapable  of  exercising  juiis- 
diction,  in  which  case  process  shall  be  entered  before  the  Presbytery." 

188G,  p,  56.  On  this  overtvire  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  was,  60  ap- 
proving and  8  disapproving.    "Whereupon  the  following  action  was  taken : 

Whereas  it  appears  that  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  have  voted 
for  the  insertion  of  the  above  clauses  (the  report  here  gives  them), 
therefore  it  is  hereby  enacted,  that  the  said  additions  be  made  to  the 
Book  of  Church  Order. 

108.  Elders  in  Presbytery  are  rejyresentatives,  not  delegates. 

1886,  p.  54.  The  Assembly  approved  the  records  of  the  SjTiod  of 
Virginia  excepting  to  the  use  of  the  word  "delegate"  instead  of  "re- 
presentative" of  a  chiu-ch  at  a  meeting  of  Presbytery. 

109.  Rif/ht  to  a  seat  in  a  commission  of  Presbytery. 

1882,  p.  571.  Abingdon  Presb^'iei'y  asks  "whether,  when  a  commis- 
sion is  appointed  by  Presbytery,  in  accordance  with  the  Book  of  Church 
Order,  any  other  member  of  Presbyteiy  than  the  commission  has  the 
right  to  claim  a  seat  in  said  commission  f     Answered  in  the  negative. 

110.    T/ie  number  required  to  co7istltute  a  commission  of  Presbytery. 

1882,  p.  571.  The  Presbytery  of  Harmony  asked  the  Assemby  to 
amend  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  VII.,  Ai-t.  III.,  so  as  to 
state  distinctly  the  number  of  ministers  and  elders  which  shall  be  re- 
quired to  constitute  a  commission  of  Presbyteiy.  The  Assembly  de- 
clined to  grant  the  request. 

111.   Quorum  of  a  cotxmission  of  Presbytery. 

1883,  p.  21.     In  reply  to  the  Presb^ieries  of  Charleston  and  Har- 
mony: In  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  neither  a  commission  of  Pres 
bytery,  nor  a  quorum  of  a  Presbj'terial  commission,  should  ever  con 
sist  of  less  than  two  ministers  and  one  elder. 


58  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IIL 

1884,  p.  207.  The  Presbytery  of  Ouachita  overtures  the  General 
Assembly  to  reconsider  and  rej)eal  the  foregoing  recommendation. 

Answer:  This  Assembly  regards  it  as  important  to  have,  on  aUordi- 
naiy  occasions,  fully  as  large  a  number  for  a  Presbyterial  commission 
or  quorum  as  that  mentioned  in  the  aforesaid  overture.  Still,  inasmuch 
as  circumstances  may  arise  -orhen  the  appointment  of  so  large  a  number 
vs^ould  prove  burdensome  and  unwise,  it  is  the  judgment  of  this  Assem- 
bly that  when  a  Presbytery,  acting  according  to  its  discretion,  shall  ap- 
point a  smaller  number,  such  action  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  in  conflict 
with  the  recommendations  of  our  highest  court,  which  have  sole  refer- 
ence to  ordinary  cases. 

112.  Topics  for  Presbyterial  Narratives. 
The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  having  been  appointed  (1876,  jj.  238)  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  a  series  of  •  questions,  to  be  answered  by  the  Presbyteries  in  the 
preparation  of  Narratives  on  the  state  of  religion,  and  report  to  the  nest  Assembly, 
did  make  such  report  (1877,  p.  408),  which  was  referred  to  a  committee.  That 
committee  recommended  and  the  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

1877,  p.  441.  That  instead  of  a  series  of  questions,  which  may  be 
answered  categorically,  the  Assembly  send  down  to  the  Presbyteries 
the  following  topics,  as  furnishing  the  basis  of  their  Narratives : 

1.  Official  fidelity  on  the  part  of  ministers,  ruling  elders,  and  deacons. 

2.  Attendance  ui^on  the  ser%dces  of  the  sanctuary. 

3.  Special  outpoiudngs  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  churches. 

4.  The  prevalence  of  intemperance,  worldly  amusements,  and  other 
forms  of  sin. 

5.  Family  worship. 

6.  Catechetical  instruction  in  Sabbath-schools  and  families. 

7.  The  observance  of  the  Sabbath. 

8.  Fidehty  of  God's  people  in  worshipping  the  Lord  with  their  sub- 
stance. 

9.  The  suj)ply  of  the  churches  within  yoiar  bounds  with  the  minis- 
tration of  the  Word. 

10.  Religious  instruction  of  the  colored  people. 
The  Assembly  of  1887  declined  to  strike  out  topic  1. 

The  Assembly,  by  instructing  the  Secretary  of  Publication  to  issue  blanks  con- 
taining these  topics  for  the  sessions  (page  39,  Minutes  of  1879),  thereby  recom- 
mends them  for  sessional  as  well  as  Presbyterial  use. — A. 

113.    These  tojncs  explained. 

1883,  p.  21.  The  Presbytery  of  West  Hanover  asks  the  Assembly'^ 
construction  of  certain  questions  in  the  forms  for  Narratives. 

Ansioer:  The  language  there  used  does  not  require  any  report  from 
the  session  touching  the  prevalence  of  intemperance,  worldly  amuse- 
ments, and  Sabbath-breaking,  outside  the  membership  of  the  church. 

1887,  p.  20G.  The  matter  of  revising  these  tojiics  so  as  to  remove 
aU  repetitions  and  ambiguities,  was  referred  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Publication. 

114.  Narratives  tnust  he  signed  hy  the  clerk. 
1880,   p.  194.     The  attention  of  several  Presbyteries  whose  stated 
clerks  have  failed  to  sign  the  Narratives  required  to  be  sent  by  them 
to  the  General  Assembly,  is  called  to  this  irregularity  for  the  purpose 
of  preventing  it  in  the  future. 


Secs.  115-118.]  Church  Couets.  59 

C  H  A  P  T  E  11    1 1 1. 

THE    SYNOD. 

115.    The  original  Synods. 

18G1,  p.  5.  The  Assembly  which  met  in  Augusta  iu  1861  -was  com- 
posed of  Presbyterial  commissioners  from  the  folloMing  Synods :  Ala- 
bama, Arkansas,  Georgia,  Memj^his,  Mississip2')i,  Nashville,  North  Car- 
oHna,  South  Carolina,  Texas  and  Virginia,  with  two  Presbj-teries  here- 
tofore in  connection  with  the  Sjiiod  of  Baltimore. 

116    Si/nods  received. 

The  Synod  of  Kentucky  came  into  union  with  the  Assembly  in  1869 
(see  p.  370).  The  Synod  of  Missouri  was  received  in  1874  (see  p. 
479). 

117.  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  organized. 

1877,  p.  421.  Overture  No.  17  was  jDresented  from  the  Presbviery 
of  Florida,  asking  the  erection  of  a  "  Synod  of  Florida,"  imder  certain 
conditions. 

The  Assembly  declines  granting  the  request  of  the  overture  for  want 
of  satisfactory  information  in  the  premises,  and  recommends  to  the 
PresbyteiT  of  Florida  to  make  known  their  wishes  to  the  Synods  of 
Georgia  and  Alabama,  and  then  j)rosecute  or  dechne  to  prosecute  the 
effort  to  procure  the  erection  of  a  Synod  according  to  the  result  of  such 
apphcation  to  the  S^^nods  of  Georgia  and  Alabama. 

1881,  p.  391.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures 
on  overtures  Nos.  6  and  7  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

No.  6.  A  request  from  the  S}iiod  of  Georgia,  for  a  division  of  the 
said  S;sTiod,  and  for  the  erection  of  a  new  Synod,  to  be  called  the  "  Synod 
of  South  Georgia  and  Florida."  No.  7.  A  protest  from  the  Presby- 
teiT of  Savannah  against  any  such  division. 

The  committee  recommend  the  following  answer :  That  the  request 
of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  be  granted :  that  the  Presbyteries  of  Savan- 
nah, Florida  and  St.  Johns  be  erected  into  a  new  Synod,  to  be  called 
the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida.  That  this  new  Synod  hold 
its  first  meeting  in  the  church  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  on  Wednesday  be- 
fore the  second  Sabbath  of  November,  1881,  at  1\  o'clock,  v.  m.,  and 
that  the  Eev.  W.  J.  McCormick  preach  and  (constitute  with  prayer,  and 
in  case  of  his  absence,  that  the  Kev.  W.  B.  Telford  be  ai)pointed  to  take 
his  place. 

1882,  p.  519.  The  stated  clerk  annoimced  that  the  Synod  of  South 
Georgia  and  Florida  had  been  formed,  agreeably  to  the  appointment  of 
the  last  Assembly. 

118.  Division  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  refvsed. 

1880,  p.  185.  Overture  No.  2  is  from  the  Synod  of  Texas,  asking  a 
division  of  said  Synod.  Overtures  3  and  4  are  iwnu  the  Presbyteries 
of   Eastern  Texas  and  Dallas,  asking  a  modification  of  said  overture 


60  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

No.  2 ;  and  overtiu'es  5  and  6  are  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Central 
Texas,  Western  Texas,  and  Paris,  in  opposition  to  the  petition  of  over- 
tiu-e  No.  2. 

It  is  recommended,  that  in  view  of  the  conflicting  overtures  from 
Presbyteries  witliin  the  bounds  of  the  SjTiod  of  Texas,  and  of  the  fact 
that  delay  in  the  division  contemplated  would  work  no  injury  to  the 
Church,  the  subject  be  remanded  to  the  said  Synod  for  further  action. 
Adopted. 

119.    Change  of  boundary  between  the  Synods  of  Memphis  and  Nash- 
ville. 

1861,  p.  12.  Eev.  Dr.  McFarland,  from  the  Committee  on  Bills  and 
Overtures,  submitted  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Tuscumbia, 
and  the  proposed  answer  to  it,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  an  overture  be  presented  by  our  commissioners  to 
the  next  General  Assembly,  earnestly  requesting  that  the  Presbytery  of 
Tuscumbia  be  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  and  that  our  com- 
missioners are  hereby  invested  with  fuU  power  and  authority  to  use  all 
necessary  means  to  secure  this  end. 

The  committee  having  had  a  full  conference  with  the  commissioners 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Tuscumbia,  and  likewise  with  several  members 
of  the  S-NTiod  of  Nashville,  recommend  that  the  request  be  granted,  and 
that  said  Presbytery  be  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Memphis.  Adopted 
unanimously.     (P.  37.) 

1865,  p.  360.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  North  Alabama,  re- 
questing this  Assembly  to  readjust  the  boundary  between  the  Synods  of 
Nashville  and  of  Memphis,  so  as  to  throw  the  county  of  Madison,  in 
the  State  of  Alabama,  into  the  Presbytery  of  North  Alabama  and  the 
Synod  of  Nashville ;  and  overture  from  a  member  of  the  Synod  of  Mem- 
phis, requesting  that  in  whatever  arrangement  of  the  boundary  adopted, 
the  churches  and  church  property  within  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery 
■of  Tuscumbia  shall  belong  still  to  the  Synod  of  Memphis. 

Resolved,  That  the  ministers  and  churches  within  the  county  of 
Madison,  Alabama,  foi'merly  connected  with  the  United  Synod,  be  ad- 
judged to  belong  to  the  Presbytery  of  North  Alabama  for  the  present ; 
but  that  all  the  interests  of  the  Presbytery'  of  Tuscumbia  and  the 
Synod  of  Memphis  be  preserved  intact.  This  temporary  arrangement , 
the  Assembly  adopts  for  want  of  the  necessary  information;  but  it 
hereby  urges  the  judicatories  interested  to  endeavor  to  agree  on  a  defi- 
nite boundary  hne,  and  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly,  in  order  that 
this  matter  may  be  conclusively  settled. 

1866,  p.  18.  Overture  from  the  Sy^od  of  Memphis,  requesting  the 
General  Assembly  to  adjust  the  boundaiy  line  between  the  Synod  of 
Nashville  and  that  Synod,  so  that  the  southern  boundary  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee  shall  also  be  the  southern  boundary  of  the  Synod  of  Nash- 
ville, separating  it  in  that  part  from  the  Synod  of  Memphis. 

The  committee  having  considered  the  reasons  for  this  boundary  line 
presented  by  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  and  the  arguments  offered  against 
it  by  members  of  the  Synod  of  NashviUe,  recommend  that  the  southern 
boundary  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  from  the  point  where  it  crosses 
the  Tennessee  lliver  eastward  to  the  east  line  of  Alabama,  be  the  boun- 
dary between  the  Synod  of  Nashville  and  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  with 
this  exception:    that  Madison  coimty,   in  the  State  of  Alabama,   to 


Secb.  120-123.]  Church  Courts.  61 

within  five  miles  along  the  northern  bank  of  the  Tennessee  Eiver,  shall 
be  included  in  the  Synod  of  Nashville.     Adopted. 

120.    Change  in  the  boundary  hetiijeen  the  Synods  of  Memphis  and 

Alabama. 

1883,  p.  18.  In  answer  to  overtures,  fii'st,  from  the  SjTiod  of  Mem- 
phis, and  second,  from  the  Synod  of  Alabama,  relating  to  the  transfer 
of  the  Pi'esbytery  of  North  Alabama  from  the  Synod  of  ^Memphis  to 
the  S}Tiod  of  Alabama,  your  committee  recommend  that  the  General 
Assembly  agree  to  the  expressed  desire  of  these  SjTiods  and  the  Pres- 
bytery of  North  Alabama,  and  that  the  boundaries  of  these  Synods  be 
changed  as  requested.     Adopted. 

1884,  p.  193.  The  Assembly  is  officially  informed  that  this  transfer 
has  been  effected  as  ordered. 

121.  Presbyteries  of  Tascumbia,  North  Alabama  and  Columbia. 

Id  view  of  the  various  boundary  changes  among  the  border  Presbyteries  of  the 
three  Synods  of  Memphis,  Nashville,  and  Alabama,  the  following  note  will  tend  to 
prevent  confusion  and  aid  the  reader  in  a  correct  understanding  of  the  changes  that 
were  actually  made : 

In  1861,  Tuscumbia  Presbytery,  belonging  to  the  Synod  of  Nashville,  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Synod  of  ^lemphis.  In  1865,  just  after  the  reception  of  the  New 
School  brethren  into  the  Assembly,  and  the  union  of  our  Presbyteries  with  those  of 
the  United  Synod,  the  Presbj-tery  of  North  Alabama  appears  on  the  roll  of  the 
Assembly  as  one  of  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Synod  of  Nashville.  As  this  Synod  held 
no  meeting  after  the  fall  of  1861  until  January,  1866,  at  which  a  Presbj'tery  of  this 
name  could  have  been  created,  this  Presbytery  was  evidently  the  Presbj'tery  of 
that  name  previouslj'  in  connection  with  the  United  Synod.  As  there  has  been 
continuously  since  that  date  a  Presbytery  of  North  .Alabama,  the  SjTiod  of  Nash- 
ville, in  adjusting  lines  after  the  iiuion,  must  have  either  perpetuated  that  Presby- 
tery or  constituted  a  new  one  bearing  that  name.  In  the  fall  of  1875,  Synod 
changed  the  name  of  this  Presbytery  to  Columbia. 

Tuscumbia  Presbytery,  after  being  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  was 
dissolved  in  1868,  but  reconstituted  in  1873.  After  the  Presbytery  of  North  Ala- 
bama experienced  a  change  of  name,  the  name  of  Tuscumbia  was  changed  in  1876 
to  North  Alabama.  In  1883,  it  was  transferred  from  the  Synod  of  Memphis  to  the 
Synod  of  Alabama. — A. 

122.  Change  in  the  boundary  between  the  Synods  of   Virginia  and 

jVorth  Carolina. 

1866,  p.  12.  The  General  Assembly  hereby  transfers  to  the  Synod 
of  Virginia,  to  be  connected  with  the  Presbytery  of  Roanoke,  that  por- 
tion of  the  territory  of  Virginia  lying  south  of  Dan  Eiver  which  now 
belongs  to  the  Presbytery  of  Orange,  of  the  S^Tiod  of  North  Carolina, 
embracing  the  churches  of  Danville,  Clarksville,  Spring  Hill,  and  Pe- 
nuel,  to  carry  with  it  the  Rev.  John  M.  Kirkpatrick,  j^astor  of  the 
church  of  Danville,  Rev.  P.  N.  Whtiley,  pastor  of  the  chm'ch  of  Clarks- 
ville, and  Rev.  John  B.  Shearer,  pastor'of  the  chm-ch  of  Spring  Hill — - 
so  that  the  State  line  shall  hereafter  be  the  boimdary  between  the  Synod 
of  Virginia  and  the  Synod  of  North  Carohna. 

This  action  was  taken  at  the  request  "of  the  Synod  of  Vii'ginia,  and 
with  the  cunciuTence  of  the  Presbytery  of  Orange.     P.  11. 

123.  Change  in  the  boundary  between  the  Synods  of  Alabama  and 

Georgia. 
1868,  p.  267.     Memorial  from  Eufaula  chm-ch,  in  the  Presb;si;ei7  of 
East  Alabama,  asking  that  the  hnes  of  the  Synods  of  Alabama  and 


62  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  III.  ■ 

Georgia  be  so  changed  that  Eufaula  chiu'ch  may  be  included  within 
the  Presbytery  of  Macon  in  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  and  giving  reasons 
for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  this  overture  be  referred  to  the  Synod  of  Alabama 
for  an  expression  of  its  views  on  the  subject,  with  directions  to  report 
to  the  next  Assembly. 

1879,  p.  43.  From  the  elders  of  Free  Port  and  Euchee  Valley 
churches,  in  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  of  Florida,  asking  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  transfer  said  chiu'ches  to  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  East  Alabama.  Also,  to  change  the  boundary  of  said  Presbyteries 
so  as  to  make  the  dividing  line  between  these  Presbyteries  to  be  the 
Choctawhatchie  Eiver. 

Your  committee  would  recommend  that  the  request  be  granted 
when  the  SjTiods  of  Georgia  and  Alabama  shall  have  consented. 
AdojDted. 

It  does  not  apjiear  that  this  request  was  granted  by  the  Synods.  — A. 

124.    Change  in  the  boundary  between  the  Synods  of  Memphis  and 

Mississippi. 

1865,  p.  358.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Mississippi, 
representing  that,  under  the  terms  of  the  union  agreed  upon  with  the 
United  Synod,  two  ministers  and  at  least  two  churches,  properly  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  were  transferred  to  that  Presbyteiy, 
and  requesting  the  Assembly  to  rectify  this  matter. 

Ordered,  that  Kev.  E.  M.  Richardson  and  Rev.  George  P.  Richard- 
son, together  with  the  churches  of  Grenada  and  Panola,  and  any  other 
churches  formerly  connected  with  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington  South, 
which  lie  north  of  the  northex-n  boundary  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi, 
be  and  hereby  are  transferred  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Missis- 
sippi to  the  Presbytery  of  North  Mississippi,  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis. 

1875,  p.  14.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Mississippi,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  change  the  boundary  line  between  that  Synod  and  the 
S}Tiod  of  Memphis,  so  that  the  Presbytei'ies  of  Chickasaw  and 
North  Mississippi,  now  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  be  transferred  back 
to  the  Synod  of  Mississippi,  to  which  they  formerly  belonged,  for  the 
purpose  of  dividing  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  into  the  Synods  of  Mis- 
sissippi and  Louisiana. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Synod  of  Memphis  has 
not  expressed  its  conciu'rence  in  this  action,  the  matter  be  referred 
back  to  the  Synods  of  Mississippi  and  Memphis. 

1880,  p.  185.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  asking  the 
transfer  of  Oak  Grove  chm'ch  from  Tombeckbee  Presbytery,  Synod  of 
Mississippi,  to  Chickasaw,  iij  the  Synod  of  Memphis.  Request 
granted. 

125.    Change  of  boundary  between  the  Synods  of  N'ashville  and 

Virginia. 

1870,  p.  505.  The  Presbytery  of  Holston,  of  the  Synod  of  Nashville, 
respectfully  overtures  the  General  Assembly  to  define  the  boundary  ILae 
of  the  Synod  of  Nashville,  so  as  to  include  in  said  Synod  the  county  of 
Leo,  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  such  being  in  fact  the  present  boundaiy 
of  the  Synod. 


Sec8.  126-130.]  Chuech  Courts.  63 

The  following  action  was  taken : 

Whereas  rehable  information  has  been  received  that  the  county  of 
Lee,  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  was  formerly  included  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Synod  of  Narjh-\dUe,  and  by  mistake  was  transferred  to  the  Synod 
of  Vii-ginia ;  therefore, 

Mesolved,  That  the  county  of  Lee  be  now  restored  to  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  S;;yTiod  of  Nash\ille. 

126.  Change  in  the  boundary  hetioeen  the  Synods  of  Alabama  and 

Mississippi. 

1865,  p.  360.  Overtiu'e  from  the  S^iiod  of  Mississippi,  requesting 
the  Assembly  to  adjust  the  matter  of  conflicting  boundaries  between 
that  Synod  and  the  Synod  of  Alabama,  arising  out  of  the  terms  of  union 
with  the  United  Synod. 

Ordered,  that  all  the  ministers  and  churches  fonnerly  connected  with 
the  Presbyteries  of  the  United  S^oiod,  but  which  he  within  the  bovmds 
of  the  Synod  of  Alabama,  be,  and  hereby  are,  transferred  to  the  Pres- 
byteries within  which  they  are  respectively  located. 

127.  Change  in  the  boundary  between  the   Synod  of  Alabama  and 

that  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida. 

1887,  p.  206.  Overtm-e  fi'om  Presbytexy  of  Florida,  that  certain 
•chm'ches  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama  be  transferred 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Florida. 

Reply :  As  the  changes  desired  involve  the  alteration  of  S_>Tiodical 
hnes,  the  General  Assembly  decHnes  to  make  such  order  without  the 
concurrence  of  the  two  Synods  concerned. 

128.   Time  of  meeting  changed  by  an  order  of  the  Assembly. 

1873,  p.  318.  A  request  fi-om  the  commissioners  to  the  Assembly 
from  the  Presbyteries  in  the  Sj-nod  of  Memjihis,  asking  that  the  time 
for  the  meeting  of  said  Synod  be  changed  fi'om  the  29th  of  October  to 
the  2d  of  October,  1873,  at  71  p.  m.  This  request  was  granted  by  the 
Assembly. 

129.  A  meeting  of  Synod  held  out  of  time  legalized. 

1874,  p.  484.  The  Synod  of  Alabama  asks  that  its  meeting  in  No- 
vember, 1873,  be  legahzed,  said  Synod  haAdng  been  imable  to  meet  at 
the  regular  time  on  account  of  the  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever.  Re- 
quest granted. 

1879,  p.  19.  A  similar  request  made  by  the  same  Synod  was  again 
granted,  the  reason  for  its  irregular  convening  being  the  same  as  the 
above. 

130.  Synods  ordered  by  the  Assembly  to  meet. 

1864,  p.  281.  Whereas  the  S^-nod  of  Memphis  failed  to  meet  on  its 
adjournment  in  1863 ;  therefore  liesolved,  by  this  Assembly,  that  the 
Synod  of  Memphis  is  hereby  ordered  to  meet  in  Covington,  Tenn.,  on 
Wednesday  before  the  foiu'th  Sabbath  in  October,  at  7  o'clock  i>.  m. 

1865,  p.  358.  Overture  from  a  convention  of  ministers  and  elders 
belonging  to  the  S^nod  of  Nashville,  informing  the  Assembly  that  the 


64  DlCJEST  OF  THE  AcTS  OF  THE  GeNEEAX  ASSEMBLY.         [BoOK  III. 

SjTiod  had  not  been  able  to  meet  since  the  fall  of  1861 ;  declaring  their 
cordial  adherence  to  this  body,  and  their  approval  of  our  position  and 
principles ;  and  requesting  the  Assembly  to  appoint  a  meeting  of  Synod 
at  an  early  day. 

This  request  was  granted,  and  the  Synod  of  NashviUe  was  directed 
to  meet  in  the  Presbyterian  chiu'ch  of  Huntsville,  Ala.,  on  Thursday 
before  the  thii'd  Sabbath  of  Januar^^,  1866,  at  6:30  o'clock  p.  m.,  the 
sessions  to  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Eev.  Robert  Harden,  D.  D.,  or 
in  case  of  his  absence,  by  the  oldest  minister  present,  who  shall  preside 
until  a  moderator  be  chosen. 

131.    When  Synod  orders  a  Presbytery  to  meet  it  must  specify  the 

object. 

1867,  p.  139.  An  overture,  being  a  dissent  of  certain  members  of 
the  S\iiod  of  Mississij^pi  from  the  action  of  said  Sj-nod  ordering  one  of 
its  Presbyteries  to  meet  without  specifying  the  object  for  which  it  was 
to  be  convened;  the  Assembly  approved  of  this  dissent. 

1869,  J).  380.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  were  ap- 
proved, except  that,  on  page  16,  the  Synod  ordered  the  Presbjiiery  of 
Tombeckbee  to  hold  a  meeting  diudug  the  sessions  of  the  Synod,  with- 
out specifying  the  business  the  Presbytery  was  called  to  transact. 

132.  Synod  may  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet  instanter. 

1870,  p,  515.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Noiih  CaroKna,  request- 
ing the  General  Assembly  "to  provide  for  the  SjTiod's  calhng  a  meet- 
ing of  Presbyteries  dm-ing  the  sessions  of  S^Tiod  for  the  transaction  of 
their  own  or  the  Synod's  business,  when  the  Presbyteries  have  failed 
to  appoint  such  meeting."  Overtm-e  answered  by  referring  the  Synod 
of  North  Carolina  to  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1848,  as 
found  on  page  251  of  Bairds  Digest,  viz. : 

Pesolved,  1,  That  S^Tiod  has  power  to  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet, 
and  to  transact  such  business  as  in  the  judgment  of  S}Tiod  is  intimately 
connected  with  the  good  order  and  well-being  of  the  Church. 

Resolved,  2,  That  as  such  meetings  are  of  the  natm-e  of  2^^'o  re  aata 
meetings,  the  rules  that  are  laid  down  in  our  Book  for  the  regulation 
of  such  called  meetings  ought  to  regulate  and  govern  in  all  cases  these 
meetings  ordered  by  SjTiod,  except  when  ordered  to  meet  during  the 
sessions  of  Synod  on  business  immediately  connected  with  the  proceed- 
ings of  that  body.  In  such  cases  the  Presbytery  may  be  required  to 
meet  at  once  by  order  of  the  Synod. 

133.  ILis  Synod  poioer  to  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet  during  its  oion 

sessions '/ 

1885,  p.  425.  Overtm-e  from  the  Synod  of  Mississippi,  inquiring  as 
to  the  right  of  a  Synod  to  convene  one  of  its  constituent  Presbyteries 
during  its  own  sessions. 

Ansicer:  The  Assembly  refers  the  Synod  to  its  recent  ruling  in 
sustaining  an  exception  to  its  miiuites,  that  a  Synod  has  no  such 
power. 

1885,  p.  412.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  were,  ap- 
proved with  the  following  exception :  On  page  143,  Synod  is  on  record 
as  ordering  a  meeting  of  one  of  its  Presbyteries  on  the  next  day.  Synod 


Secs.  134-140.]  Chitrch  Courts.  65 

having-  uo  power,  according  to  our  Book  of  Church  Order,  to  order  such 
meeting.     (Chap.  V.,  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  VIII.) 

188G,  1^.  47.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Mississij^pi,  touching  con- 
tradictory decisions  of  the  Assembhes  on  the  power  of  Sj-nod  to  order 
a  meeting-  of  Presbyteiy. 

In  reply,  the  following  was  adopted : 

The  S^Tiod  has  power  to  convene  a  meeting  of  any  of  its  constituent 
Presbyteries  during  the  sessions  of  Synod,  to  attend  to  any  of  the  in- 
terests of  rehgion  within  the  bounds  of  Synod  which  requii-e  immedi- 
ate attention,  and  which  are  specified  in  the  call. 

134.  Bieunial  meetinr/s  of  Synod. 
See  Biennial  Meetings  of  the  Assembly. 

135.   Quorum  of  Synod. 

1869,  p.  390.  An  overture,  asking  whether  any  number  of  ministers 
and  elders  from  two  Presb^'tenes  can,  under  any  circumstances,  be  re- 
garded as  a  constitutional  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  SjTiodical  busi- 
ness.    Answered  in  the  negative. 

136.  Entering  absentees  from  Synod  upon  its  records. 

1884,  p.  221.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Virginia:  "The  General 
Assembly  is  requested  to  reconsider  its  action  entered  iqjon  the  record 
of  this  Synod,  requiring  the  names  of  its  absentees  to  be  entered  upon 
its  records." 

Request  gi'anted. 

137.   Synod  has  no  power  to  amend  the  record  of  an  inferior  court, 

1877,  p.  443.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  North  Carolina  were  ap- 
proved, with  the  exception  that  on  page  489  it  ordered  a  paragraph  of 
the  records  of  an  inferior  court  to  be  stricken  out. 

138.  Names  of  churches  represented  by  elders  shoidd  be  given. 

1887,  p.  232.  Exception  to  records  of  the  S^Tiod  of  South  Georgia 
and  Florida.  The  names  of  the  chvirches  represented  by  ruling  elders 
present  are  nut  given,  -p.  204,  Records  of  Sjoiod  of  Mississippi.  There 
is  nothing-  on  the  record  to  indicate  the  different  churches  represented 
by  the  ruling  elders,  members  of  Synod. 

139.   Tlie  records  ought  not  to  contain  outside  matter. 

1862,  p.  13.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  were  ap- 
proved with  the  exception:  That  on  page  119,  there  are  certain  resolu 
tions  not  of  the  Synod  as  stich,  but  of  a  "convocation  of  Christian  gen" 
tlemeu,"  which  ougbt  not,  therefore,  to  be  found  as  a  portion  of  the  do- 
ings of  the  ecclesiastical  judicatoiy. 

The  stated  clerk  Avas  allowed  to  append  a  note  to  the  minutes,  ex- 
planatory of  the  matter  objected  to. 

140.   l^ie  Assembly  may  demand  the  records  of  a  Synod. 
1861,  p.  34.     The  Assembly  resolved :  To  issue  an  order  for  the  min- 
5 


66  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

utes  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  to  be  sent  up  to  the  next  General  Assembly 
for  examination. 

1884,  p.  253.  The  S;\'nod  of  Kentucky  was  directed  to  show  cause 
why  its  records  have  not  been  sent  iip. 

141.  May  a  copy  of  the  records  of  Synod  he  sent  up  for  7-eview? 

18G4,  J).  251.  A  letter  was  read  from  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Synod 
of  Virginia,  setting  forth  the  impracticability  of  his  sending  up  to 
this  Assembly  the  written  records  of  said  S^oiod,  and  asking  permis- 
sion to  substitute  for  these  an  authenticated  copy  of  the  published 
minutes.  This  permission  was  granted,  and  the  published  minutes  of 
this  Synod  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  appropriate  standing 
committee. 

1883,  p.  21.  A  printed  copy  of  its  minutes  having  come  up  from  the 
Synod  of  Nashville  instead  of  the  official  records,  it  was  resolved :  That 
sending  up  to  the  Assembly  of  a  copy  of  the  records  is  not  a  compliance 
with  the  requirements  of  the  Book  of  Chiu-ch  Order,  and  said  Sj'nod  is 
directed  to  send  to  the  next  Assembty  for  review  the  original  records. 

1884,  p.  252.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida 
were  not  presented,  but  instead,  a  printed  paper,  which  appeared  to  be 
a  "substantial  copy"  only  of  the  records.  This  is  not  such  a  record  as 
the  committee  is  called  to  review.     Adopted. 

142.    What  Sy/iod  shoidd  put  in  its  7ninntes. 

1884,  p.  252.  Exception  to  the  records  of  the  S^-nod  of  Arkansas  as 
follows:  That  on  pages  67,  G8,  there  are  recorded  some  rejjorts  of 
Presbyteries  made  to  SjTiod  on  the  Narrative,  while  the  substance  of 
the  same  is  embodied  in  Synod's  Narrative. 

1885,  p.  404.  Overtiu-e  fi-om  the  Synod  of  Arkansas :  To  so  define 
the  scope  of  the  Narrative  of  religion  and  the  statistical  reports  from 
Presb^-teries,  that  they  might  know  what  to  record  and  what  to  omit 
from  their  minutes. 

Answer:  The  S}Tiod  ought  to  record  in  its  minutes,  (1,)  The  statis- 
tical reports  of  Presbyteries.  (2,)  Its  Narrative,  as  prepared  for  the 
General  Assembly ;  and  in  this  Narrative  should  be  embodied  whatso- 
ever bears  on  the  state  of  religion  within  its  bounds. 

143.  3Ilnutes  must  he  signed  hy  the  clerk. 

1885,  p.  410.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Alabama  were  apj^roved 
with  the  following  exception:  The  records  are  not  certified  hy  the 
stated  clerk. 

144.  Jfo%c  a  Synod  may  be  divided. 

187G,  p.  241.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Macon  calHng  atten- 
tion to  the  inconvenient  size  of  Synods. 

Ansicer:  As  to  the  unwieldy  size  of  the  Synods,  the  Assembly,  ac- 
cording to  usage,  can  act  only  in  response  to  a  specific  call  for  the  di- 
vision or  reconstruction  of  Synods. 

145.  May  the  members  of  a  Presbytery  sitting  as  members  of  Synod 
vote  on  the  approval  of  their  Presbytery's  records  f 

1878,  p.  653.     In  sustaining  a  complaint  of  Rev.  E.  K.  Smoot  and 


Skcs.  14G,  147.]  Chikch  Coukts.  67 

others  against  the  Sjiiod  of  Texas,  the  Assembly  assigned,  among  other 
groimds,  the  following: 

The  Synod  of  Texas  allowed  the  Presbyteiy  of  Western  Texas  to 
vote  upon  the  review  of  their  oA\'n  records,  against  the  decision  of  the 
moderator — in  opposition  to  the  spiiit  of  our  constitution  and  to  the  es- 
tabhshed  precedents  of  our  Church — wliich  course  we  regard  as  both 
iiTegular  and  unjust. 

The  Book  of  Cliurcli  Order,  adopted  iu  1879,  gives  the  representatives  of  a  Pres- 
bytery sitting  in  Synod  the  right  to  vote  both  on  the  approval  of  the  minntes  of 
their  Presbytery,  and  on  judicial  cases  appealed  from  it;  in  both  of  which  re- 
spects it  differs  from  the  old  Book. — A. 


CHAPTEU  lY. 

THE     GENEKAL    ASSEMBLY. 

146.  llie  Assembly  orgcmized. 

.    Augusta,  Geoegia,  iJecemher  4,  1861. 

At  a  meeting  of  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  who  had  been  commis- 
sioned by  their  respective  Presbyteries  to  convene  at  this  place,  on  this 
day,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  General  Assemhb/  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  Confederate  /States  (f  America,  it  was,  on  motion 
of  the  Rev.  John  N.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  (who,  in  conjunction  with  the  Rev. 
John  H.  Gray,  D.  D.,  and  Joseph  Jones,  had  been  nominated  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  Presb}'teries  in  the  Confederate  States,  to  attend,  on  the 
3d  inst.,  at  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  city,  to  act  as  a  Com- 
mittee of  Commissions),  Resolred,  That  the  Rev.  Francis  McFarland, 
D.  D.,  one  of  the  most  venerable  commissioners  present,  be  appointed 
to  preside  until  a  regular  organization  can  be  effected. 

Dr.  ^McFarland  accordingly  presided,  and  on  his  motion,  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  'SI.  Palmer,  D.  I).,  another  commissioner  present,  who  had 
been  proposed  for  this  service  by  sevei'al  of  the  Presbyteries,  Avas  unan- 
imously chosen  to  preach  the  opening  sermon. 

Dr.  Pidmer  preached  in  accordance  wiih.  this  choice,  and  took  for  his 
text  Ephesians  i.  22,  28 :  "And  gave  Him  to  be  the  Head  over  all 
things  to  the  Church,  which  is  His  body,  the  fulness  of  Him  that 
filleth  all  in  aU." 

After  the  sermon.  Dr.  McFarland  proceeded  to  constitute  the  sessions 
with  prayer. 

147.  llie  Atlanta  Convention. 

The  causes  which  led  to  the  withdi'fiwal  of  a  number  of  Presbyteries  situated  in 
the  Southern  States  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  (renei'al  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  are  fully  set  forth  in  the  ' '  Address  to 
the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth, '"  which  was  adopted  by  the  first 
Augusta  Assembly,  and  do  not  require  to  l)e  heie  cited. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  Philadelphia,  in  Slay, 
1861,  that  wrought  such  hardshii)  on  Southern  consciences,  ju'ominent  minLstcrs  in 
the  Synod  of  Virginia  published  a  circular  inviting  minister's  and  elders  in  the 
Southern  Synods  to  meet  in  convention,  in  llichmond,  Va. ,  on  the  24th  of  July, 


68  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

1861,  "  to  advise  and  recommend  measures  to  ascertain  the  sense  of  the  Presbyteries 
in  regard  to  the  formation  of  a  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States  of  America. " 

The  first  Presbytery  to  take  formal  and  decided  action  was  that  of  Memphis,  which 
convened  in  an  adjourned  meeting  on  the  13th  of  June,  and  after  recoimting  the 
unconstitiitional  action  of  the  Philadelphia  Assembly,  f oimallj'  renounced  all  further 
connection  with  said  Assembly,  and  respectfully  requested  all  Presbyteries  concur- 
ring with  them  to  meet  with  them,  by  their  commissioners,  in  Memphis,  on  the 
third  Thiarsday  in  May,  1862,  then  and  there  to  organize  a  General  Assembly,  etc. 
They  further  suggested  to  all  the  Presbyteries  to  call  special  meetings  and  appoint 
delegates  to  a  convention  to  meet  in  Atlanta  on  the  15th  of  August,  "to  consult 
upon  various  important  matters,  especially  oiir  benevolent  operations. " 

Immediately  upon  the  heel  of  this  action,  East  Alabama  Presbytery,  was  called 
together  to  consider  the  matter,  and  while  not  seceding  from  the  Assembly,  ear- 
nestlj'  protested  and  declared  their  purpose  not  to  acquiesce  in  said  ac'tion,  and  then 
called  for  a  convention  of  all  the  Presbyteries,  to  meet  in  Columbia,  S.  C. ,  on  Tlnars- 
day  before  the  second  Sabbath  in  September,  1861,  wishing  thus  to  secure  co-opera- 
tive action. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  New  Orleans  Presbytery  formally  renounced  the  jiirisdiction 
of  the  old  Assembly,  and  ordered  that  a  copy  of  their  action  be  sent  to  all  the 
Southern  Presbyteries,  reqiiesting  them,  if  they  concur  in  this  action,  to  appoint 
commissioners  aixthorized  to  organize  an  Assembly,  to  commence  its  sessions  on  the 
4th  of  December  next,  in  Augusta,  Ga.  They  further  opposed  the  plan  of  a  con- 
vention for  sundry  reasons,  which  they  give. 

But  prior  to  and  contemporaneoi;sly  with  this  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Orleans,  numerous  other  Presbyteries  called  for  an  advisory  convention,  to  be  con- 
vened in  July,  in  Atlanta,  said  convention  to  be  composed  of  delegates  chosen  and 
authorized  thereto  by  the  Presbyteries.  It  was  felt  that  it  was  not  oulj  competent 
for  the  Presbyteries  to  take  such  action,  but  in  the  emergency  that  was  upon  them 
that  it  was  eminently  wise. 

"With  this  widely-expressed  demand  before  them,  many  of  the  Presbyteries  con- 
vened and  appointed  rejiresentatives  to  attend  the  proj^osed  convention. 

This  convention  met  in  Atlanta,  Augiist  15th,  1861,  and  was  in  session  three  days. 
There  were  present  twenty  delegates  from  eleven  Presbyteries,  with  fourteen  cor- 
resiDoudiug  members  from  six  Presbyteries. 

Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  president;  Eev.  H.  E.  Eaymond  and 
Eev.  J.  S.  Harris,  secretaries. 

The  convention  assiimed  no  ecclesiastical  aiithority.  All  its  actions,  which  were 
made  with  entire  unity,  Avere  in  the  foim  of  suggestion  and  recommendation.  In 
view  of  the  probable  meeting  of  a  General  Assembly  in  the  Confederate  States  of 
America  before  the  close  of  the  year,  the  convention  made  no  suggestion  as  to  the 
mode  in  which  the  work  of  Education,  Publication,  Domestic  Missions,  etc.,  should 
be  carried  on,  leaving  these  interests  to  the  Presbyteries,  Synods,  and  the  South- 
western Advisory  Committee  at  New  Orleans ;  but  as  to  Foreign  Missions,  the  con- 
vention endorsed  the  temporary  plan  for  condi;ctiug  this  work  devised  by  certain 
brethren  in  Columbia,  S.  C,  and  pledged  the  support  of  the  Presbyteries  repre- 
sented in  the  convention  to  it.  Some  account  of  this  plan  will  be  found  in  the 
chapter  on  Foreign  Missions  of  this  Digest. 

The  convention  further  iirged  such  Presbyteries  in  the  Confederacy  as  had  not 
yet  renoiuiced  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General  Assembly  to  do  so  at  their  fall  meet- 
ing; that  both  those  which  have  already  thus  withdrawn,  and  those  that  may  do 
so  in  response  to  this  apjieal,  declare  their  adherence  and  submission  to  the  stand- 
ards as  formerly  held,  with  the  single  change  of  the  phrase  from  ' '  Presbyterian 
Chiirch  in  the  United  States  of  America"  to  "Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confed- 
erate States  of  America";  that  these  Presbyteries  send  commissioneis  to  a  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  to  be  held  in  Augusta,  Gp.,  on  the  4tli  day  of  December  next,  and 
that  Eev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  I).,  as  principal,  and  Eev.  J.  E.  Wilson,  as  alternate, 
be  requested  to  preach  the  ojiening  seimon,  and  preside  until  the  Assembly  be  or- 
ganized ;  that  Eev.  Dr.  Waddel,  Eev.  Dr.  Gray,  and  Dr.  Joseph  H.  Jones,  of  Au- 
gusta, ruling  elder,  be  a  Committee  on  Commissions,  to  examine  the  credentials  of 
all  who  may  be  present ;  that  the  respective  Synods  review  the  records  of  the  Pres- 
byteries and  conlirm  the  action  herein  proposed. 

On  the  subject  of  the  war  and  the  condition  of  the  countrj',  the  convention, 
though  not  a  Church  court,  yet  disclaimed  the  right  to  determine  the  political  re- 
lations of  individuals,  or  to  solve  for  them  political  questions. — A. 


Secs.  148-152.]  Church  Coukts.  69 

148.   Seating  members  without  commissions. 

1862,  p.  9.  Eev.  R.  F.  Bunting,  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Western 
Texas,  appeared  without  a  commission,  but  having-  made  a  satisfactory 
explanation  of  this  fact,  was  enrolled  as  an  additional  commissioner. 

1865,  p.  351.  Eev.  James  Park,  of  the  Presbyter}'  of  Knoxville,  was 
present  without  a  commission.  For  satisfactory  reasons,  arisiilg  out  of 
the  pecuHar  circumstances  of  the  case,  he  was  admitted  to  a  seat. 

1864,  p.  241.  The  Assembly  declined  to  receive  Rev.  R.  S.  McAllis- 
ter, of  the  Presb}i:ery  of  Red  River,  and  Rev.  H.  B.  Boude,  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Nashville,  as  members  of  this  body,  on  the  ground  that 
there  was  no  evidence  of  theii*  appointment  by  the  Presbyteries  to 
which  they  belong. 

149.    The  term  for  which  commissioners  are  chosen. 

1861,  p.  30.  "  When  two  successive  meetings  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly occur  between  two  successive  stated  meetings  of  a  Presbytery,  can 
the  commissioners  appointed  l^y  the  Presbj^tery  to  serve  in  the  fii'st 
General  Assembly  serve  also  in  the  second  ? " 

Ansioer :  The  commissioners  aj^pointed  members  of  the  General 
Assembly  to  meet  at  a  time  and  place  designated  are  not  authorized  to 
attend  another  General  Assembly  as  commissioners,  to  meet  at  a  differ- 
ent time  and  place,  imless  reappointed  by  their  Presbj'teiy. 

150.  Should  commissioners  he  chosen  for  two  years? 

1864,  p.  248.  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  Form  of  Govern- 
ment be  instructed  to  consider  the  propriety  of  making  such  changes 
in  that  instrument  as  will  provide  that  the  C(jmmissioners  to  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  should  be  elected  for  two  years,  one-half  of  the  number 
going  out  of  office  each  year. 

This  resolution,  after  being  discussed,  was  laid  on  the  table  (p.  270). 

151.    Commissioners  leaving  before  the  Assembly  adjourns. 

1877,  p.  442.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  does  hereby  ad^^se  the 
Presbyteries,  that  in  electing  their  ccjmmissicmers  in  the  future,  to  do 
so  with  a  view  to  their  remaining  in  session  during  a  term  probably  not 
less  than  about  two  weeks. 

1878,  p.  666.  Extract  from  report  of  Committee  on  LeaA'e  of  Ab- 
sence, which  was  approved:  The  committee  would  state  that  we  are 
constrained  to  believe  that  some,  whose  names  we  are  not  able  to  give, 
did  leave,  without  appearing  before  the  committee  and  giving  reasons, 
and  that  such  are  worthy  of  reprehension  for  violating  the  obligations 
which  they  owed  to  their  respective  Presbyteries. 

152.   The  secretaries  and  clerks  of  the  Assembly  to  have  the  privilege 
of  deliberating  as  members  in  certain  cases. 

1869,  p.  390.  It  was  adopted  as  a  standing  rule  of  the  General  As- 
sembly that  its  secretaries  and  clerks  shall  have  the  pri\T[lege  of  mem- 
bers of  the  body  upon  any  matters  before  it  in  which  the  duties  of  their 
offices  are  specially  involved. 


70  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  III. 

1871,  p.  18.  The  Presbytery  of  North  Mississippi  having  requested 
the  Assembly  to  rescind  this  rule  allowing  these  officers  the  privileges 
of  members  ou  the  floor  of  the  Assembly  as  a  dangeroiis  violation  of  the 
constitution,  the  Assembly  gave  the  following  answer :  A  reference  to 
the  riile  will  show  that  "the  privileges  of  members  on  the  floor"  are 
not  conferred  by  it  on  the  alcove  officers,  but  only  the  privilege  of  mak- 
ing statements  and  explanations  touching  trusts  committed  to  their 
care.  This  the  Assembly  regards  as  both  safe  and  convenient ;  and 
therefore  respectfully  declines  to  rescind. 

153.  Declines  to  elect  its  rlerl's  for  a  Jj.xed  period. 

1878,  p.  624.  Overture  from  the  S_-\Tiod  of  Memphis,  asking  the  As- 
sembly to  "  consider  the  advisableness  of  electing  its  clerks  every  four 
years,  making  the  elections  alternate  every  two  years,"  and  also  over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  IMecldenburg,  asking  the  Assembly  to 
"  consider  the  propriety  of  limiting  the  terms  of  office  of  the  stated  and 
permanent  clerks  to  the  term  of  two  years,  and  that  the  terms  be  so 
arranged  that  they  shall  exjoire  on  alternate  years." 

Hepbj :  It  is  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  that  neither  of  the  pro- 
posed changes  is  advisable.     Adopted. 

154.  For  ichat  length  of  time  the  Assernhlij  may  elect  its  officers. 

1878,  p.  6G5.     Overtiu-e  from  eleven  ministers  and  elders : 

1.  Has  any  General  Assembly  the  right  to  limit  the  liberty  of  a  suc- 
ceeding Assembly  in  the  choice  of  its  officers  ? 

2.  Has  every  Assembly  the  inherent  right  to  choose  its  own  officers 
— moderators  and  clerks  ? 

Replij :  The  Assembly  refers,  for  answer,  to  Form  of  Govermnent, 
Chap.  XIX.,  Sec.  III.:  "The  moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  shaU 
be  chosen  at  each  meeting."  Also  to  Chap.  XX.:  "Eveiy  judicatory 
shall  choose  a  clerk  to  record  their  transactions,  whose  continuance 
shaU  be  during  pleasure." 

155.    The  expenses  of  clerics  to  he  paid. 

1879,  p.  55.  Ordered,  That  the  actual  and  necessary  expenses  of 
the  stated  and  permanent  clerks  be  paid  by  the  treasvu'er  out  of  the 
funds  in  hand,  and  that  this  order  ap2:»ly  to  the  expenses  in  attending 
the  present  Assembly,  and  all  future  meetings  of  the  Assembly,  until 
otherwise  ordered. 

156.   Stated  clerk  to  publish  annually  a  list  of  all  reports  required  hy 
the  Assehibly  of  its  Presbyteries. 

1880,  p.  196.  Ordered,  That  the  stated  clerk  pubhsh  hereafter  in 
the  Minutes,  in  connection  ^^ith  liis  requests  to  stated  clerks  of  Presby- 
teries, a  full  hst  of  all  reports,  both  regular  and  special,  which  such 
clerks  are  required  to  transmit  to  the  Assembly. 

157.   Treasurer  of  the  Assembly. 

1863,  p.  151.  Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  shall  be  the  perma- 
nent treasurer  of  this  Assembly,  and  shall  present  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly, and  to  each  succeeding  one,  a  regular  account  ciu'rent  of  his  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures. 


Secs.  158-1G().  1  Church  Courts.  71 

158.    Treasurers  accounts  to  he piihllsJied  in  the  j\fi?intes. 

1879,  p.  42.  Ill  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Chesapeake,  it  was  ordered  that  all  the  receipts  by  the  treasurer  be 
published  in  the  Apj^endix  to  the  Minutes,  together  with  the  disburse- 
ments from  the  entire  fund. 

1884,  p.  286.  This  order  was  inoditied,  or  explained  to  mean  that 
the  treasurer  publish  in  the  Minutes  a  summaiized  statement  of  the 
receipts  and  expenditures. 

159.  A  reporter  for  the  Asse7nbli/s  ^jroceedlnr/s. 

18G7,  p.  14G.  The  subject  of  emplopng  annually  a  reporter  hav- 
ing been  referred  by  the  last  Assembly  (p.  39),  it  was  resolved  that 
such  a  measure  is  inexpedient. 

1868,  p.  279.  Besolved,  That  the  stated  and  pennanent  clerks  be 
a  standing  committee,  authorized  to  make  such  arrangements  as  they 
may  deem  proper  for  securing,  for  the  future,  a  full  and  correct  report 
of  the  proceedings  and  dehberations  of  the  General  Assembly,  pro- 
vided the  expense  to  the  Assembly  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  $50  for 
any  one  meeting. 

1876,  p.  244.  That  this  Assembly  elect  a  reporter,  to  be  a  perma- 
nent officer  of  this  body,  and  fix  his  salary  at  $ — —  and  his  expenses, 
with  a  further  allowance  of  $ (if  so  much  be  necessaiy)  for  two  as- 
sistants, to  be  jDrocured  by  him  from  year  to  year ;  it  being  understood 
that  the  clerks  of  this  body,  along  with  this  reporter,  be  a  committee 
to  arrange  each  year  for  the  pubhcation  of  these  reports  on  the  best 
plan ;  and  it  being  also  understood  that  authority  is  given  to  the  per- 
manent and  stated  clerks  to  till  the  blanks  left  above,  respecting  the 
exjDeiises  of  this  arrangement,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $200,  and 
that  they  have  power  to  fill  ad  interim  any  vacancy  in  this  office. 
Adopted. 

1879,  p.  43.  Overture  from  the  SjTiod  of  Texas,  asking  the  Assem- 
bly to  dispense  with  an  official  reporter  of  subsequent  Assemblies. 
Request  not  granted. 

Eev.  (i.  L.  Wolfe  was  api)ointecl  reporter  iu  1870,  and  served  until  1880,  when 
lie  resi|.;ued.  Therenpou  Eev.  W.  P.  Jacobs  was  chosen,  at  a  salary  of  $100  and 
expenses,  bnt  declined  to  serve. 

160.  Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  I). 

1879,  p.  406.  "Whereas  the  office  of  permanent  clerk  has  been  held 
by  the  Eev.  "William  Brown,  D.  D.,  from  1865  until  the  jiresent  year  ; 
and  whereas  he  has  resigned  the  same  because  of  advanced  age  and 
failing  eyesight ;  and  whereas  an  officer  who,  for  twenty  years,  has 
been  honorably  active  in  thus  serving  one  of  the  liighest  of  church 
courts,  cannot  sever  his  long  connection  therewith  without  a  pang  of 
sorrow  to  himself  and  of  (corresponding  regret  to  the  great  mass  of  his 
co-presbyters ;  therefore  this  Assembly  does,  in  behalf  of  its  predeces- 
sors, as  well  as  in  its  own,  reciprocate  those  sentiments  of  aflectionate  es- 
teem which  are  contained  in  his  resigning  letter,  whilst  it  furthermore 
extends  to  him  its  sympathy  in  view  of  the  physical  infirmities  that  re- 
quired his  release  from  a  burden  he  could  no  longer  be  expected  to 
bear. 


72  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

161.    Time  of  the  Assemblifs  meetings. 

The  First  Assembly  convened  ou  the  first  Wednesday  in  December,  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.  The  next  three  meetings  were  held,  beginning  on  the  first  Thursday 
in  May,  each  year.  The  meeting  for  1865  was  appointed  to  be  held  on  the  third 
Thursday  in  May;  but,  owing  to  the  condition  of  the  country,  it  did  not  convene 
until  the  second  Thursday  in  December,  when  it  met  at  the  call  of  the  moderator. 
In  1866  and  1867  the  meeting  began  on  the  third  Thiu'sday  in  November.  In  1868 
and  every  year  since,  by  standing  rule,  the  Assembly  has  convened  on  the  third 
Thursday  in  May.  For  standing  rule,  see  1866,  jj.  12.  Reconsidered,  so  far  as 
the  meeting  for  1867  was  concerned,  and  fixed  for  November  (pp.  27-32). 

162.    Biennial  meetings  for  the  Assembly  and  Synods. 

1875,  p.  20.  Overtiu^e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Macon,  asking  the  As- 
sembly to  propose  to  the  Presbyteries  such  change  in  the  constitution 
•of  the  Chiu'ch  as  shall  reqiiire  only  biennial,  instead  of  annual,  ses- 
sions of  the  Synods  and  the  Assembly ;  and  these  to  be  arranged  so  as 
to  alternate,  the  Synods  meeting  one  year,  and  the  Assembly  the  next. 
The  Assembly  answered  this  overtm-e  in  the  negative. 

1878,  p.  651.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Louisiana,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  "so  change  the  meetings  of  our  ecclesiastical  courts 
as  to  allow  the  General  Assembly  to  meet  biennially,"  and  "the  Pres- 
byteries to  hold  annual  instead  of  semi-annual  sessions." 

Reply :  A  change  from  annual  to  biennial  sessions  of  the  General 
Assembly  would  require  a  change  in  the  constitution,  and  this  is  not 
■deemed  ad^dsable  to  propose  to  the  Presbyteries.  The  Presbyteries, 
however,  are  permitted  by  the  constitution  as  it  is  to  hold  theii"  ses- 
sions annually  if  they  desii'e  to  do  so. 

1879,  p.  86.  An  overture  came  up  from  the  Presbytery  of  Concord, 
■similar  to  that  from  the  Presbytery  of  Macon  in  1875.  Answ^ered  in 
the  negative. 

163.  Place  of  the  Assembly's  meeting. 

Each  year  the  Assembly  has  been  held  in  the  place  appointed  by  the  previous 
Assembly,  except  that  in  1862  the  meeting  was  held  in  Montgomery,  Ala.,  though 
Memphis,  Teun.,  was  chosen  for  that  hon;)r  by  the  Assembly  of  1861.  Because  of 
the  jiresence  of  contlicting  armies  in  the  near  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Memphis,  and 
the  consequent  danger  and  difficulty  of  assembling  at  that  place,  the  moderator 
recommended,  and  the  clerks  by  proclamation  called,  the  Assembly  to  meet  in  Mont- 
gomerj',  Ala.  (1862,  -g.  5.)  188U,  pp.  18!) -203.  After  appointing  Covington,  Ky., 
as  the  place  for  the  next  meeting,  it  was  reconsidered,  and  Staunton,  Va.,  selected. 

164.   Rides  adopted. 

1861,  p.  7.  Resolned,  That  this  Assembly  shall  be  governed  by  the 
rules  and  precedents  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
until  otherwise  ordered. 

165.  Rules  to  be  revised. 

1861,  p.  31.  On  motion  of  Judge  Shepherd,  it  was  made  the  duty 
of  the  C(jmmittee  on  Revision  to  examine  the  rules  of  order  adopted  by 
this  General  Assembly,  and  submit  for  the  consideration  of  the  next 
General  Assembly  any  change  in  said  rules  which  to  them  may  seem 
necessary. 

1864,  p.  241.  This  committee  (see  revision  of  the  Form  of  Govei-n- 
ment  and  Discipline)  reported  a  revised  draft  of  the  rules.     The  chief 


Secs.  166,  167.  J  Chuech  Courts.  73 

changes  made  consisted  in  the  addition  of  a  few  rules,  and  a  classifica- 
tion of  them  under  distinct  heads,  by  the  use  of  which  the  moderator 
and  members  of  any  coiu't  may  find  at  a  glance  any  rule  sought  for. 
After  being  read,  these  rules  were  referred  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly. 

166.  New  Piirliarnentarij  Mules  adopted. 

1866,  p.  9.  That  part  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Ee-vdsion 
which  refers  to  parhamentary  rules,  was  taken  up  and  considered  seri- 
atim. Having  been  amended  in  various  particulars,  the  rej^ort  was 
adojited. 

1866,  p.  37.  The  whole  report,  viz. :  the  Rules  of  Parhamentary 
Order,  Canons  of  Discipline,  and  Form  of  Government,  were  adopted, 
and  each  part  sent  down  as  a  sejiarate  overture  to  the  Presbyteries  for 
their  adoption. 

1867,  p.  149.  Only  five  Presbyteries  adopt  the  overtui'e  with  refer- 
ence to  the  Rules  of  Parhamentary  Order. 

An  explanation  is  needed  to  make  the  above  clear.  The  Assembly  at  ^Memphis 
adopted  these  rules  for  its  own  guidance  and  for  the  use  of  subsequent  Assemblies. 
At  the  same  tims,  having  endorsed  the  revision  of  the  Form  of  Government  and 
the  Book  of  Discipline,  it  submitted  the  Parliamentary  Rules  along  with  them  to 
the  Presbyteries,  to  be  voted  on  as  a  j^art  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order.  The  Pres- 
byteries did  not  decline  to  approve  the  new  rules.  They  simply  declined  to  make 
them  a  part  of  the  organic  law  of  the  Church  by  incorporating  them  in  the  constitu- 
tion.   When  subsequently  the  Book  was  resubmitted,  it  was  with  the  rules  omitted. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  these  ParUamentarj'  Rules  have  been  very  generalh'  adopted 
by  the  Syui.;ds  and  Presbyteries  for  their  own  use.  — A. 

167.  Mules  of  Parliamentary  Order. 

Of  opening  the  session. 

1.  The  maderator  shall  take  the  chair  precisslj'^  at  the  hour  to  which  the  court 
stands  adjourned  ;  shall  immediately  call  the  members  to  order  ;  and  on  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  quorum,  the  session  shall  be  opened  with  prayer. 

2.  If  a  quorum  be  assembled  at  the  hour  appointed,  and  the  moderator  be  ab- 
sent, the  last  moderator  or  oldest  minister  present  shall  take  the  chair  without 
delay. 

3.  If  a  quorum  be  not  assembled  at  the  hour  appointed,  any  two  member's  shall 
be  competent  to  adjourn  from  time  to  tima,  that  an  opportuuity  may  be  given  for  a 
quorum  to  assemble. 

4.  After  calling  the  roll,  and  marking  the  absentees,  the  minutes  of  the  last  sit- 
ting shall  be  read,  and  if  requisite,  corrected. 

Of  the  moderator. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  moderator  to  preserve  order,  and  to  conduct  all 
business  before  the  court  to  a  speedy  and  proper  result. 

6.  He  is  to  propose  to  the  court  every  subject  of  deliberation  that  comes  be- 
fore it. 

7.  He  may  propose  what  appears  to  him  [the  most  regular  and  direct  way  of 
bringing  any  business  to  issue. 

8.  He  shall  always  announce  the  nam3S  of  members  rising  to  speak,  prevent 
them  from  interrupting  each  other,  and  require  them  in  speaking  always  to  adiiress 
the  chair. 

9.  He  shall  prevent  a  speaker  from  deviating  from  the  subject,  and  from  using 
personal  retlections. 

10.  He  shall  silence  those  who  refuse  to  obey  order. 

11.  He  shall  prevent  members  leaving  the  court  without  his  permission. 

12.  He  shall,  when  the  deliberations  are  ended,  put  the  question  and  call  the 
vote. 


74  Digest  of  the  Acts  op  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

13.  In  all  qupstious  lie  shall  ^i\e  a  c'lear  and  concise  statement  of  the  object  of 
the  vote,  and  the  vote  being  taken,  he  shall  declare  how  the  qnestion  is  decided. 

14.  He  shall  carefully  keep  notes  of  the  orders  of  the  day,  and  call  them  np  at 
the  times  appointed. 

15.  He  may  speak  to  points  of  order,  in  preference  to  other  members,  rising  from 
his  seat  for  that  purpose,  and  shall  decide  questions  of  order  subject  to  an  appeal 
to  the  court,  without  deljate,  by  any  two  members. 

16.  If  any  member  consider  himself  aggrieved  by  a  decision  of  the  moderat(n',  it 
shall  1)6  his  privilege  to  apjjeal  to  the  court,  and  the  question  on  such  appeal 
shall  be  taken  without  debate. 

17.  It  is'his  duty  to  appoint  all  committees  except  in  those  cases  in  which  the 
courts  shall  decide  otherwise. 

18.  When  a  vote  is  taken  by  ballot,  or  by  yeas  and  nays,  he  shall  vote  with  the 
other  members  ;  in  other  cases,  when  the  court  is  equally  divided,  he  shall  possess 
the  casting  vote.  If  he  be  not  willing  to  decide,  he  shall  put  the  question  a  second 
time,  and  if  the  court  be  again  equally  divided,  and  he  decline  to  give  his  vote,  the 
question  shall  be  lost. 

19.  He  may  call  any  menrber  to  the  chair,  to  preside  temporarilj\ 

Of  the  dcrl: 

20.  As  soon  as  possible  after  the  commencement  of  the  first  session  of  every 
court,  the  clerk  shall  form  a  complete  roll  of  the  members  present,  and  jjut  the 
same  into  the  hands  of  the  moderator;  and  whenever  any  additional  members  take 
their  seats,  he  shall  add  thei*  names  in  their  proper  places  to  the  said  roll. 

21.  He  shall  immediately  file  all  pajjers  in  the  order  in  which  they  have  been 
read,  with  jn-oper  endorsements,  and  keep  them  in  perfect  order. 

Of  the  order  of  business. 

22.  After  the  reading  of  the  miniites  of  the  preceding  day,  the  following  order 
of  business  shall  be  observed  : 

First — The  receiving  of — 

(fi.)  Communications  addressed  to  the  body  ; 

{b.)  Reports  of  standing  committees  ; 

(('.)  Reports  of  select  committees; 

(d.)  Resolutions  ;  each  of  which  papers  may,  by  unanimous  consent,  be  taken  up 
immediately  on  presentation,  but  if  objection  be  made  it  shall  be  docketed. 

Secondly — The  unfinished  business  in  which  the  coiirt  was  engaged  at  the  last- 
preceding  adjournment,  in  in-eference  to  orders  of  the  day  ;  bi\t  such  unfinished 
business  may,  on  motion  withoiit  debate,  be  laid  on  the  table,  to  proceed  with  the 
si^ecial  order. 

Thirdly — As  soon  as  the  special  order  and  the  unfinished  business  are  disposed 
of,  the  business  on  the  docket  will  be  called  ;  but  motions  to  elect  officers,  to  ap- 
point committees,  and  to  enroll  members,  shall  always  be  in  order,  unless  a  member 
is  speaking,  or  the  court  is  voting. 

Of  'motions. 

23.  A  motion  must  be  seconded,  .and  afterward  repeated  by  the  moderator,  or 
read  aloud,  before  it  is  debated  ;  but  this  shall  lie  no  bar  to  explanation  of  the  ob- 
ject of  any  motion  by  the  mover,  provided  he  does  not  exceed  five  minutes  ;  and 
every  motion  shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  if  the  moderator  or  any  member  re- 
quire it. 

24.  The  mover  of  a  resolution  is  entitled  to  the  floor,  if  he  so  desire,  after  the 
moderator  has  stated  the  question. 

Of  irithdrairid  of  motions. 

25.  Any  member  who  shall  have  made  a  motion  shall  have  liberty  to  withdraw 
it  with  the  consent  of  his  second,  before  any  debate  has  taken  place  thereon,  but 
not  afterward  without  the  leave  of  the  court. 

Ofliinitdtions  (f  debute. 
2G.  Motions  to  lay  on  the  tal)le,  to  docket,  to  take  u^)  business,  and  to  adjourn, 
and  the  call  for  the  question,  shall  he  jiut  without  debate.  On  questions  of  order, 
postponement  or  commitment,  no  member  shall  si)eak  more  than  once.  On  all 
other  questions,  each  member  may  speak  twice,  but  not  ofteuer,  without  exiu'ess 
leave  of  the  court. 


Sec.  1G7.]  .   Ohuech  Courts.  75 

Of  ■privilerjcd  question.^. 
27  (").  "Wheu  a  qnestion  is  under  debate,  no  motion  phall  be  received  unless  to 
adjourn,  to  docket,  to  lay  on  the  table,  to  amend,  to  postpone  indefinitely,  to  post- 
pone to  a  day  ceitain,  or  to  commit  ;  wliicli  several  motions  sbnll  Lave  precedence 
in  the  order  in  wbich  tbej^  are  herein  arranged  ;  and  the  motion  for  adjournment 
shall  always  be  in  order. 

Pivtnictcd  ond  ^nqyrojitablc  debate. 

27  (//).  Uesdlved,  That  it  is  the  mind  of  this  General  Assembly  that  Kulo  27  of  the 
General  Rules  was  never  intended  to  dejjrive  the  General  As^sembly  of  the  ri'^^ht 
to  protect  itself  against  wearisome,  protracted,  and  un2)rotitable  debiite,  and  there- 
fore it  will  be  in  order  at  any  time  for  a  member  to  move  a  limitation  of  speedies, 
and  the  moderator  to  propose  the  same  to  the  house  under  Rule  7  of  General  Rules. 
Adoi^ted,  188(;,  p.  -lU. 

Of  "the  quedion." 

2H.  AVhen  any  member  shall  call  for  "tlie  qventioii,"  the  moderator  shall,  with- 
out debate,  pxit  the  vote,  "Is  the  court  ready  for  the  question  1'"  If  the  call  be 
seconded  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present,  the  vote  shall  immediately  be 
taken  (m  the  pending  qnestion,  whatever  it  may  be,  without  further  debate. 

Of  diriifion  (f  the  questivn. 
2'J.   If  a  motion  under  deliate  contains  several  parts,  any  two  members  may  have 
it  divided,  and  ix  question  taken  on  each  part. 

Of  amendments. 

30.  An  amendment  may  be  moved  on  any  question,  as  also  an  amendment  to  the 
amendment,  which  shall  be  decided  before  the  original  proposition ;  but  two  dis- 
tinct amendments  to  the  pending  qiiestion  shall  not  be  entertained  at  the  same 
time,  whether  moved  as  substitutes  for  the  Avhole  matter,  or  as  changing  any  part 
thereof. 

31.  One  proposition  may  be  sub.stituted  for  another,  when  the  substitute  covers 
the  whole  matter  of  the  original,  and  this  shall  be  done  by  moving  to  strike  or;t 
the  original,  and  to  insert  the  substitute. 

Of  reconsideration. 

32.  A  question  shall  not  be  reconsidered  at  the  same  sessions  of  the  court  at 
which  it  has  been  decided,  unless  by  the  consent  of  ii  majority  of  the  members 
who  were  present  at  the  decision,  and  imless  the  motion  to  reconsider  be  made  by 
a  person  who  voted  with  the  majority. 

33.  A  subject  which  has  been  indetinitely  postponed  shall  not  be  again  called 
up  during  the  same  sessions  of  the  court,  unless  by  the  consent  of  three-fourths  of 
the  members  who  were  present  at  the  decision. 

Of  speakers. 
34:.   If  more  than  one  member  rise  to  si)eak  at  the  same  time,  the  member  who 
is  most  distant  from  the  moderator  s  chair  sludl  speak  tirst. 

35.  Every  member,  when  speaking,  shall  address  himself  to  the  moderator,  and 
shall  treat  his  fellow-members,  and  especially  the  moderator,  with  decorum  and 
respect. 

Of  interruptions. 

36.  No  speaker  shall  be  inteiTupted  unless  he  be  out  of  order,  or  for  the  purpose 
of  correcting  mistakes  or  misrepresentations. 

Of  voting. 

37.  Members  shall  not  decline  voting,  unless  excused  by  the  court. 

38.  AVhen  various  motions  are  made  with  respect  to  the  tilhng  of  blanks  with 
particular  numbers  of  times,  the  question  shall  always  be  tirst  taken  on  the  highest 
uund)er  and  the  longest  time. 

311.  When  the  m()deratt)r  has  commenced  taking  the  vote,  no  further  debate  or 
remark  shall  be  admitted,  unless  then'  has  evidently  been  a  mistake :  in  which  case 
the  mistake  shall  be  rectified,  and  the  moderator  shall  re-commence  taking  the 
vote. 

40.  The  yeas  and  nays  on  any  qnestion  shall  not  be  recorded,  unless  it  be  re- 
quired by  one-third  of  the  members  present ;  and  every  member  shall  vote   ' '  yea  " 


76  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III, 

or  "nay,"  unless  excnsed  by  the  coiirt.     In  a  judicial  case,  members  thus  excused 
shall  not  be  allowed  a  vote  in  any  of  the  subsequent  proceedings  relating  thereto. 

41.  In  all  elections  it  shall  require  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  to  elect. 

Of  comniittees. 

42.  The  jDersou  first  named  on  any  committee  shall  be  considered  as  the  chair- 
man thereof,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  convene  the  committee  and  preside  therein; 
and  in  case  of  his  absence,  or  inability  to  act,  the  second  named  member  shall  take 
his  place  and  perform  his  duties. 

Of  privite  sessions. 

43.  All  courts  have  a  right  to  sit  in  private  on  business  which,  in  their  judgment, 
ought  not  to  be  matter  of  public  speci;lation. 

Of  the  committee  of  the  wliole. 

44.  Every  coitrt  has  a  right  to  resolve  itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  or  to 
hold  what  are  commonly  called  iiiterlocatory  meetings,  in  which  members  may  freely 
converse  together  without  the  formalities  necessary  in  their  ordinary  iiroceedings. 
In  all  such  cases  the  moderator  shall  name  the  member  who  is  to  preside  as  chair- 
man. If  the  committee  bs  unable  to  agree,  a  motion  may  be  made  that  the  com- 
mittee rise,  and,  upon  the  adoption  of  such  motion,  the  moderator  shall  resume 
the  chair,  and  the  chairman  of  the  committee  shall  report  what  has  been  done,  and 
ask  that  the  committee  be  discharged,  which,  being  allowed,  the  matter  shall  be 
dropped.  If  the  committee  shall  agree  u^Don  the  report  to  be  made,  or  have  made 
progress  in  the  same  without  coming  to  a  conclusion,  the  committae  mxy  rise,  re- 
port what  has  been  done,  and,  if  the  case  require,  may  ask  leave  to  sit  again ;  or 
the  committee  of  the  whole  miy  be  dissolved,  and  the  question  considered  by  the 
court  in  the  usual  order  of  business. 

Of  decorum. 

45.  Without  express  permission,  no  mamber  of  a  court,  while  business  is  going 
on,  shall  engage  in  private  conversation;  nor  shall  msmbers  address  one  another, 
nor  any  person  present,  but  through  the  moderator. 

46.  When  more  than  three  mamb^'s  of  the  court  shall  be  standing  at  the  same 
time,  the  moderator  shall  require  all  to  take  their  seats,  the  person  only  excepted 
who  may  be  speaking. 

47  (a).  If  any  member  act  in  any  respect  in  a  disorderly  manner,  it  shall  be  the 
privilege  of  any  member,  and  the  duty  of  the  moderator,  to  call  him  to  order. 

(47  (b).  A  rule  added  in  1874  (see  Minutes,  page  496) :  All  expressions  of  appro- 
bation or  disapprobation,  by  clapping  of  hands  or  stami^ing,  or  any  audible  ap- 
plause, shall  be  considered  disorderly.) 

48.  No  mamber  shall  retire  from  any  court  without  the  leave  of  the  moderator, 
nor  withdraw  from  it  to  return  home  without  the  consent  of  the  court. 

Of  cases  unprovided  for. 

49.  All  cases  ]that  may  arise,  not  provided  Jfor  in  the  foregoing  rules,  shall  be 
governed  by  the  principles  of  parliamentary  law. 

Of  closing  the  sessions. 

50.  The  moderator  of  every  courb,  above  the  church  ^session,  in  finally  closing  its 
sessions,  in  addition  to  prayer,  may  causa  to  bs  sung  an  appropriate  psalm  or  hymn, 
and  shall  pronounce  the  apostolical  benediction. 

168.  Acceptiiuf  invitations. 

Wlieuever  invitations  have  been  made  to  the  Assembly,  tendering  to 
its  members  hospitahty,  excursions,  etc.,  the  invariable  custom  has  been 
to  return  thanks  for  the  courtesy,  and  if  deemed,  advisable,  to  adjourn  at 
such  hour  as  will  permit  the  members  individuaUy  to  accept  the  invita- 
tion. The  Assembly  has  not  deemed  it  proper,  in  its  capacity  as  a 
court,  to  attend  entertainments,  commencements,  etc.  (see  1881,  p.  354, 
et  passivi.) 

169.  FAectioneering  pamphlets. 

1880,  p.  212.     Whereas,  a  pamphlet,  entitled  "  Discussion  on  Assem- 


Secs.  170-173.]  Chxjkch  Courts.  77 

bly  Deliverances,"  has  been  addressed  to  the  moderator  and  members 
of  this  body  and  circulated  among  them,  which  pamphlet,  moreover, 
contains  a  grossly  personal  assault  on  a  member  of  this  General  Assem- 
bly ;  and  whereas,  it  appears  that  other  pamphlets  beaiing  upon  ques- 
tions still  jDending  have  been  put  in  circulation  among  the  members, 
the  General  Assembly  hereby  expresses  its  disapproval  of  this  method 
of  attempting  to  iiilluence  its  decisions  as  disrespectful  to  this  body,  and 
an  infringement  upon  its  prerogatives. 

170.  Prayer  for  the  General  Assembly. 

1863,  p.  133.  Whereas,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  Confederate  States  fully  recognizes  the  efficacy  of  the 
prayers  of  God's  people,  and  the  necessity  for  divine  guidance  in  its 
own  dehberations ;  therefore, 

liesolved,  1,  That  the  General  Assembly  recommend  to  all  the 
churches  under  its  care,  to  offer  special  prayer  during  the  devotions  of 
the  Sabbath  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  in  each 
year,  that  God  would  of  great  mercy  so  give  the  Assembly  the  wisdom 
that  Cometh  from  above,  and  so  direct  all  its  plans,  discussions,  and 
decisions,  as  to  j^romote  his  own  glory,  and  advance  the  kingdom  of 
Jesus  in  the  earth. 

Resolved,  2,  That  the  above  preamble  and  resolution  be  printed  an- 
nually in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly. 

171.  Permanent'^StancUng  Committees. 

187(5,  p.  239.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  provide  that  its  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures,  and 
its  Judicial  Committee,  be  made  permanent  committees,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  pubhsh  in  the  newspapers  reports  of  matters  submitted 
to  them,  and  their  decisions,  for  discussion  in  the  newspapers,  before 
they  be  submitted  to  the  General  Assembly. 

Ansicer:  The  proposed  arrangement  seems  not  only  impracticable, 
but  apjDears  to  be  grounded  on  an  incorrect  conception  of  the  functions 
of  the  General  Assembly  as  a  supi'cme  court  of  Christ,  meeting,  with 
the  promise  of  the  presence  of  Christ,  to  deliberate,  and,  under  the 
leading  of  the  Spirit,  to  decide  upon  matters  pertaining  to  the  general 
interests  of  the  Church,  and  not  merely  to  express  the  pubhc  opinion 
of  the  Church. 

172.  Synods  and  Presbyteries  to  be  arrangedjin  Minutes  alphabeti- 

c(dly. 

1861,  p.  34.  On  motion  of  Dr.  John  S.  Wilson,  the  Assembly  directed 
the  stated  clerk,  in  publishing  the  Minutes,  to  cause  the  names  of  the 
Synods  to  be  printed  in  alphalaetical  order,  and  the  names  of  the  Pres- 
byteries in  the  several  Synods  to  be  printed  in  the  same  manner. 

173.  Ooertwes  and  memorials  may  be  referred  tcithout  being  Jirst 

read. 

1872,  p.  158.  Overture  No.  13,  asking  that  a  rule  be  adopted  re- 
quiring that  all  memorials  and  overtures  presented  to  the  Assembly 
shall  be  read  before  they  are  referred  to  a  committee.  Your  commit- 
tee think  such  a  rule  would  prove  highly  inconvenient,  often  vexatious. 


78  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  III. 

and  sometimes  impracticable,  and  so  report  adversely  to  the  overture. 
Adoj^ted. 

174.   Shall  overtures  he  printed  in  the  Miniites. 

1873,  p.  307.  The  Presbytery  of  Brazos  requests  that  the  text  or 
the  substance  of  all  overtures  presented  to  the  Assembly  appear  in 
the  printed  Minutes  of  this  body. 

■  Ansxoer :  We  think  our  Minvites  are  sufficiently  full  on  the  subject 
of  overtures.     Adopted. 

1883,  p.  28.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Winchester,  asking 
that  the  substance  of  all  overtures  sent  up  to  the  Assembly  be  printed 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly.     Granted. 

175.  Advisable  that  overtures  should  come  throuf/h  the  Stjnods. 

1876,  p.  219.  JResolved,  That  in  view  of  the  multiplication  of  over- 
tui'es  fi'om  the  Presbyteries  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  without  in- 
tending to  pronounce  judgment  upon  the  question  whether,  under  Sec. 
IV.  of  Chap.  XI.  of  the  Form  of  Government,  the  Presbyteries  have 
the  constitutional  right  to  pass  by  the  Synods  and  overture  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  directly  on  all  proper  questions,  the  General  Assembly 
reminds  the  Presbyteries  that  this  growing  practice  is  of  doubtful  ex- 
pediency ;  that  it  consumes  the  time  of  the  Assembly  in  many  instances 
without  any  practical  benefits ;  and  that  it  woixld  be  better  for  the  in- 
terests of  the  Church  if  all  overtures  shall  be  approved  by  the  Synods 
before  they  are  sent  to  the  General  Assembly,  except  in  extraordinary 
cases. 

1883,  p.  59.     This  deliverance  was  in  substance  reaffirmed. 

176.   Overtures  shotdd pass  through  the  lower  courts. 

1879,  p.  43.  Overture  from  the  Eev.  James  Woodrow,  proposing  the 
following  question  for  answer  by  the  Asseinbly,  viz. : 

"From  whom  is  it  proper  for  the  General  Assembly  to  receive  over- 
tures, according  to  the  constitution  ?  " 

Rephf :  In  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  aU  overtures  to  the  high- 
est court  of  the  Church  ought  to  come  from  the  lower  courts,  and  not 
from  individuals ;  and,  further,  that  the  highest  court  ought  not  to  be 
asked  for  "advice  and  instruction"  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V., 
Sec.  VI.,  Art.  V.)  in  any  cases  in  which  the  said  "advice  or  instruction" 
may  be  given  with  equal  edification  to  the  Church  by  a  lower  court. 

1878,  p.  610.  Overture  from  the  Sjoiod  of  Texas,  asking  the  As- 
sembly to  decide  that  "all  overtures,  appeals,  comi^laints,  etc.,  should 
proceed  in  regular  gradation  from  the  session  to  the  Presb^-tery,  from 
the  Presbytery  to  the  S^-uod,  and  from  the  Synod  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, and  vice  versa,  without  omitting  any  of  the  intermediate 
courts." 

Reph/ :  1.  As  to  judicial  cases,  we  refer  to  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  III.,  Art. 
VI.,  ]3ook  of  Discipline. 

2.  That  while  the  General  Assembly  may  recommend  that  overtures 
should  ordinarily  be  sent  from  the  S>Tiod,  it  cannot  deny  the  right  of 
Presbyteries,  the  constituent  elements  of  the  Assembly,  nor  of  individ- 
uals, to  overture  the  General  Assembly  whenever  circumstances  may 
require. 


-Secs.  177-179.]  Chitkch  Courts.  79 

8.  That  the  General  Assembh^  has  the  right  to  send  its  dehverances 
directly  to  the  Presb^-teries. 

1878,  p.  041.  The  Committee  on  the  Eecords  of  the  S>Tiod  of  Texas 
recommend  the  following-  exception :  That  on  page  05  the  Synod  took 
the  following  action :  "  That  in  order  to  preserve  the  true  relations  of 
the  correlative  rights  and  obhgations  of  our  several  ecclesiastical  courts, 
it  is  the  judgment  of  this  S^niod  that  all  overtures,  appeals  and  com- 
plaints, etc.,  shcnild  proceed  in  regular  gradation,  rising  from  the  ses- 
sion to  the  Presbytery,  from  the  Presbytery  to  the  Synod,  and  from  the 
SjTiod  to  the  General  Assembl}^  and  vice  versa,  without  omitting  or 
passing;  over  any  of  the  intermediate  courts,  from  the  lowest  to  the 
highest." 

While  tliis  exception  was  doubtless  sustaiuetl,  it  does  uot  appear  from  tlie  Minutes 
that  it  was  acted  upon. — A. 

177.  3Iinutes  to  be  puMished  bi/  the  Committee  of  Publication. 

1887,  p.  202.  Ordered :  That  the  stated  clerk  be  dii-ected  to  have 
the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly  printed  by  the  Publication  Committee  in 
Eichmond.  This  order  to  begin  with  the  pubHcation  of  the  Minutes 
of  1888. 

178.  Price  of  the  Minutes. 

Fifty  cents  a  copy  was  the  selling  price  of  the  printed  ^liuutes  until 
1864,  when  it  was  placed  at  $2,  and  one  copy  ordered  sent  annually  to 
every  minister  of  the  Church  free  of  charge.     (P.  263.) 

In  1863,  p.  151,  the  following  was  adopted : 

liesolved.  That  each  Presbytery  in  connection  -nith  this  Assembly 
be  recjuested  to  contribute  annually  a  sum  which  shall  be  equal  to  one 
dollar  for  each  minister,  and  one  dollar  for  each  church  under  its  care. 

Pesolvf'd,  That  a  copy  of  the  Minutes  be  sent  annually  to  every  min- 
ister, and  to  the  clerk  of  every  session  belonging  to  each  Presbytery 
which  may  accede  to  the  foregoing  request. 

1865,  p.  357.  Money  having  returned  to  its  normal  value,  the  sell- 
ing- price  per  copy  for  the  Minutes  was  again  put  at  fifty  cents.  In 
1866,  p.  10,  it  was  further  ordered  that  one  copy  be  sent  to  the  clerks 
of  Presbyteries  gratis. 

1874,  p.  523.  To  every  clnu'ch  contributing-  to  the  contingent  and 
commissioner's  fund,  according  to  the  plan  this  year  inaugiu'ated,  one 
copy  of  the  annual  ^Minutes  shall  be  sent  free. 

In  1870,  ]).  505,  the  price  was  fixed  at  thirty  cents  a  copy,  pixmded 
as  many  as  twenty-five  copies  should  be  sent  to  one  address.  In  1873, 
(see  p.  314),  the  price  was  made  thirty  cents  in  case  ten  copies  should  be 
ordered  sent  to  cme  address.  In  1885,  in  response  to  several  overtures, 
the  following-  was  adopted :  That  the  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  send 
a  copy  of  the  i\Iinutes  each  year,  without  charge,  to  every  minister  of 
the  Church.     (P.  404.) 

1887,  p.  247.  The  stated  clerk  is  instructed  to  present  each  session 
with  a  cojn'  of  the  ]\rinutes  free  of  charge. 

179.    Committee  to  verifi/  the  printed  Jfinutes. 

1884,  p.  237.  The  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  overtures 
ihe  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine, 


80  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III 

by  comparison,  the  -written  record  and  printed  Minutes,  and  make  re- 
port touching  the  correspondence  of  the  two  records. 

Avsver :  It  would  not  be  practicable  for  the  committee  asked  for  to 
act,  even  if  it  were  appointed,  inasmuch  as  it  woiUd  be  required  to  re- 
vise the  Minutes  of  an  Assembly  which  has  been  dissolved,  and  report 
the  same  to  another  which  has  no  power  to  amend. 

180.    Contingent  fund. 

1861,  p.  24.  The  Assembly  will  need  funds  for  its  own  contingent 
expenses  ;  for  the  salaries  of  its  clerks ;  for  its  commissioners  to  cor- 
responding bodies,  and  for  publishing  its  Minutes ;  to  which  may  also 
be  added  a  commissioners'  fund,  out  of  which  should  be  paid  the  mileage 
and  expenses  of  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  from  Presby- 
teries that  are  not  able  to  bear  this  expense. 

1864,  p.  263.  Travelling  expenses  of  the  committees  of  the  Assem- 
bly, and  its  other  agents,  enumerated  as  ordinary  expenses. 

181.  IToio  this  fund  shall  be  raised. 

1861,  p.  18.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  request  the  delegates 
from  each  of  the  Presbyteries  represented  on  this  floor  to  pay  over  to 
the  stated  clerk  of  the  Assembly  the  sum  of  fifty  cents  for  each  min- 
ister in  said  Presbytery,  for  the  purpose  of  constituting  a  contingent 
fund. 

P.  39.  To  this  was  added  the  proceeds  arising  from  the  sale  of  the 
Minutes  and  Address  ordered  to  be  sold.  An  assessment,  ranging 
from  five  to  twenty  dollars,  was  made  upon  the  Presbyteries,  to  be  sent 
up  to  the  next  General  Assembly.  This  assessment  was  continued  for 
two  years. 

1863,  p.  151.  Seven  hmidred  and  eighty-five  dollars  were  assessed 
and  apportioned  among  the  Presbyteries,  at  rates  from  ten  to  twenty- 
five  dollars  on  each.     This  assessment  was  quadrupled  in  1864. 

182.  Standing  Committee  on  Finance. 

1864,  p.  281.  Resolved,  That  there  be  now  estabhshed,  as  one  of 
the  standing  executive  committees  of  the  Assembly,  a  Committee  of  Fi- 
nance, consisting  of  the  stated  and  jDermanent  clerks,  together  with 
the  treasurer  of  the  Assembly,  to  whom  shall  be  referred  all  the  finan- 
cial matters  of  the  Assembly  connected  with  the  publication  of  the 
Minutes,  and  the  providing  of  ways  and  means  to  meet  the  annual  ex- 
penses of  the  Assembly ;  and  that  this  committee  be  required  to  re- 
port, as  the  other  executive  committees,  annually  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly. 

183.  Assessments  and  the  contingent  Jui id. 

The  assessments  were  changed  in  amoimt  from  year  to  year. 

1870,  p.  519.  An  overture  from  brethren  in  Texas  concerning  a  new 
assessment  to  provide  for  a  commissioners'  fund,  induced  (1871,  p.  33) 
the  Assembly  to  so  far  raise  the  assessments  as  to  provide  a  fimd  for 
meeting,  in  part  at  least,  the  expenses  of  commissioners  from  the  more 
distant  and  impoverished  Presbyteries. 


Sec3.  184,  185.]  Church  Couets.  81 

184.  Another  plan  adopted. 

1874,  p.  523.  Overtvu-e  No.  7  is  a  request  from  the  SjTicd  of  Texas 
and  from  the  PresbA-tery  of  Erazos,  and  also  from  the  Presb^^:ery  of 
Texas,  that  the  Assembh'  adopt  a  system  of  per  capita  assessment  to 
defi'ay  the  expenses  of  the  commissioners'  and  contingent  fund,  and 
that  the  rate  of  assessment,  at  present,  be  fixed  at  ten  cents  for  each 
com  mimic  ant  of  the  Church.  • 

It  is  recommended  that  the  request  be  granted,  and  that,  in  order 
to  initiate  the  plan,  the  Assembly  adopts  the  following  rules,  subject 
to  such  modifications  as  experience  may  show  to  be  advisable,  to-wit : 

1.  There  shall  be  appointed  at  each  meeting  of  the  Assembly  a  stand- 
ing committee  of  the  commissioner's  fund,  Avho  shall  present  an  esti- 
mate of  the  amount  needed  to  defray  the  contingent  exj)enses  of  the 
next  Assembly,  and  also  the  travelling  expenses  of  its  members,  with  a 
statement  of  the  per  capita  rate  necessaiy  to  secure  it. 

2.  Presbyteries,  at  the  next  stated  meeting  after  the  adjoimiment  of 
the  Assembly,  shall  apportion,  as  they  may  deem  best,  the  amoimt  re- 
quired from  the  communicants  within  their  bounds. 

8.  Churches  shall  be  instructed  to  pay  over  their  resj)ective  appor- 
tionments at  the  stated  meeting  of  the  Presbyteiy  next  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  Assembly,  and  the  amount  due  from  the  Presb}-tery 
shall  be  forwarded  by  the  commissioners. 

4.  The  apportionment  of  each  Presbjiierj',  and  the  bill  of  the  travel- 
ling expenses  of  its  commissioners,  shall  be  presented  to  the  standing 
committee  as  early  as  the  fifth  day  of  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly. 

5.  The  standing  committee  shall  reserve  from  the  amount  received 
enough  for  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  Assembly,  and  shall  then 
proceed  to  audit  the  bills  of  the  commissioners,  and  pay  the  pro  rata, 
as  far  as  the  fimds  received  will  permit,  the  suii^lus,  if  any,  to  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of  the  Assembly. 

6;  Presbyteries  must  contribute  their  full  proportion,  according  to' 
the  per  capita  rule,  in  order  to  avail  themselves  of  the  proceeds  of  this 
fund. 

7.  Every  church  contributing  to  the  fund  shall  be  entitled  to  a  copy 
of  the  Annual  Minutes  of  the  Assembly. 

8.  The  travelUng  expenses  of  commissioners  fi'om  Presbyteries  in 
foreign  lands  shall  l)e  estimated  from  theii'  place  of  residence  in  this 
countiy. 

9.  Eveiy  Presbytery,  therefore,  is  hereby  requested  to  forward  to> 
the  Standing  Committee  on  the  Commissioners'  Fund  of  the  next  As- 
sembly an  amount  equal  to  ten  cents  for  every  communicant  imder  the 
care  of  their  churches,  as  determined  by  the  statistical  report  herewith 
printed.     Adopted. 

185.  How  it  ^corked. 

1875,  p.  35.  Ordered,  That,  on  account  of  the  small  number  of  Pres- 
byteries adopting,  and  the  insufficiency  of  the  sum  i)rovided,  the  com- 
missioners from  the  Presbyteries  furnishing  an  assessment  of  ten  cents 
per  member  for  the  present  yesu-,  retain  in  their  hands,  for  expenses, 
all  the  money  remaining  after  paA'ing  to  the  Assembly's  treasurer,  for 
the  contingent  fund,  the  assessment  made  upon  them  in  1871. 

That  the  Assembly  contiuue  its  present  plan  for  raising  its  contin- 
gent and  commissioners'  fimd,  with  certain  modifications  (noted  below);. 
6 


82  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

and  iirges  the  adoption  of  this  scheme  by  all  the  Presbyteries,  not  so 
much  as  a  matter  of  constitutional  right,  but  as  a  measiu'e  of  Christian 
courtesy  and  brotherly  kindness,  which  should  prompt  us  to  help  the 
weak  and  "to  "bear  one  another's  burdens." 

These  raodifications  were  substantially :  that  the  necessary  expenses 
of  commissioners  coming  to  the  Assembly  may  be  presented  as  a  part 
of  the  apportionment.  That  the  apportionment  for  next  3-ear  shafl.  be 
eight  cents  per  member,  designed  to  raise  a  sum  of  at  least  eight  thou- 
sand dollars.  That  the  Presbyteries  dechning  to  co-operate  in  the 
scheme  for  a  general  commissioners'  fvmd,  and  prefeiTing  to  paj'  the 
expenses  of  their  own  delegates  to  the  Assembly,  be  directed  to  con- 
tribute to  the  contingent  fund  a  sum  apportioned  to  them  at  the  rate  of 
two  cents  per  member.  This  apportionment  will  provide  an  aggre- 
gate contingent  fund  of  $2,090.  That  the  three  missionary  Presby- 
teries of  Hangchow,  Sao  Paulo,  and  Indian  be  not  at  this  time  as- 
sessed for  the  contingent  fund. 

1876,  p.  232.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Commissioners'  Fimd 
beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report : 

The  committee  have  received  reports  from  but  seventeen  Presbyte- 
ries out  of  the  sixty-fom*  belonging  to  the  Assembly,  who  have  gone 
into  the  per  capita  scheme  recommended  by  the  Assembly. 

It  is  proper  here  to  state,  by  way  of  information  as  to  the  history  of 
said  scheme,  that  it  originated  in  1874,  and  at  the  Assembly  of  1875 
it  was  found  to  be  a  failure ;  whereupon  it  was  again  urged  upon  the 
Presbyteries,  and  the  experiment  was  made  a  second  time ;  which  ex- 
periment we  now  iind  has  resulted  as  it  did  before,  in  a  failui'e ;  there 
being  only  about  one-fourth  of  the  whole  nmnber  of  Presbyteries  re- 
ported to  us  as  adopting  this  scheme,  and  these  for  the  most  part  being 
the  more  remote  Presbyteries.  It  is,  therefore,  evident  that  the  com- 
missioners of  the  Presbyteries  which  have  adopted  this  scheme  cannot 
have  theii'  travelling  expenses  defrayed  luider  it.  We  therefore  think  it 
but  just  that  the  frontier  Presbyteries  be  reheved  this  year  from  the 
payment  of  any  part  of  the  assessment  for  the  contingent  expenses  of 
the  General  Assembly. 

We  further  recommend  to  the  Assembly,  that  in  consideration  of 
the  fact  that  this  per  capita  scheme,  has  been  twice  tried,  and  has  re- 
sulted both  times  in  failm'e,  it  be  now  abandoned,  and  that  the  Pres- 
byteries be  instructed  to  return  to  the  original  plan  of  assessment. 
Adoi:)ted. 

186.  Having  re-adox>tedthe  old  plan,  the  Assembly  declines  to  change  it. 

1880,  p.  213.  In  reply  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Dallas, 
asking  that  some  plan  be  devised  for  equahzing  the  expenses  of  com- 
missioners, the  following  was  adopted: 

Various  plans  for  equalizing  the  expenses  of  commissioners  have 
ah-eady  been  tried  and  failed.  The  present  plan,  however  faulty  in 
theory,  is  the  only  one  which  has  at  all  answered  the  purpose  of  seeiu*- 
ing  due  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the  General  Assembly.  If,  how- 
ever, the  present  rate  of  General  Assembly  assessments  on  Presbyte- 
ries be  ccmtinued,  it  will  yield  a  fund  which  may  be  apphed  towards 
measm-ably  accomplishing  the  desired  end.  It  is  therefore  inexpedient, 
in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  that  any  change  be  made  in  the  pre- 
sent plan. 


Secs.  187-19L]  Chitrch  Courts.  83 

1881,  p.  383.  To  a  similar  request  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Johns, 
the  same  answer  was  returned. 

The  schedule  of  assessment  adopted  in  1875  continued  in  force  vmtil 
1881,  when  it  was  revised,  and,  as  then  revised,  is  in  force  at  this  date, 
1887. 

187.   The  Assembly  without  poioer  to  organize  a  Presbytery. 

1867,  p.  1-48.  Overture  from  the  commissioners  from  the  Presby- 
teries of  Arkansas  and  Ouachita,  asking  for  the  formation  of  a  new 
Presb^-terv^  in  view  of  the  difficulty  of  now  seciuing  a  meeting  of  Synod, 
owing  to  the  small  number  and  remote  locaHty  of  one  of  the  Presby- 
teries (Indian)  comprised  in  the  Synod  of  Ai'kansas. 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  is  constitutionally  incompetent  to  grant 
this  request. 

(For  a  violation  of  the  law  in  this  particular,  and  the  manner  in  which 
the  eiTor  was  redressed,  see  chapter  on  Presbyteries,  seetiop**  on 
Hangchow  and  Sao  Paulo  Presbyteries. — A). 

188.  Auditing  fa  tancial  reports  to  the  Assemblt,. 

Prior  to  the  Assembly  of  1864,  the  reports  of  the  trecosurers  of  the  various  execu- 
tive committees  were  simply  audited  by  sub-committees,  before  beiug  sent  to  the 
Assembly,  and  there  inspected  by  the  respective  standing  committees.  (See  1862, 
pp.  10,  17.)— A. 

189.  /Special  Auditing  Committee  to  be  appointed. 

1864,  p.  278.  Hesolved,  That  the  Assembly  appoint  annually  a 
committee  of  thi'ee,  unconnected  with  the  Executive  Committee  of  Do- 
mestic ]\Iissions,  to  audit  all  the  accounts  of  the  treasiu-er ;  that  it  be 
made  the  duty  of  the  treasiu'er  to  have  the  report  of  these  auditors  en- 
dorsed upon  his  accoimt  before  lapng  it  before  the  Assembly. 

P.  266.  A  similar  provision  was  made  for  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Foreign  Missions :  "these  committees  to  be  appointed  by  one  Assem- 
bly to  audit  reports  sent  up  to  the  next  Assembly. 

This  plan  does  not  appear  to  have  been  adhered  to  for  more  that  a  year  or 
two.  — A. 

190.  An  Auditing  Committee  to  be   appointed  annually  among  the 

standing  committees. 

1868,  p.  271.  Hesolved,  That  each  of  the  executive  committees  of 
the  Assembly  shall,  along  with  its  annual  report,  send  up  also  the 
treasurer's  book  and  vouchers,  and  also  the  book  of  records  contain- 
ing their  proceedings;  and  that  an  auditing  committee  shall  be  ap- 
pointed annually  among  the  standing  committees. 

2.  That  the  treasm-ers  be  requested  to  attend  each  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

191.  The  various  executive  committees  to  first  audit  the  reports  of 

their  respective  treasurers. 

1882,  p.  554.  The  auditing  committee,  in  riew  of  the  great  labor 
and  time  necessary  to  examine  the  books  and  accounts  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committees  of  Foreign  Missions,  Home  Missions,  Education,  Pub- 
lication, Tuskaloosa  Institute,  and  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General 


84  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assejibly.       [Book  III. 

Assembly,  as  submitted  at  each  General  Assembly,  would  suggest  and 
recommend  that  hereafter  each  of  the  committees  above  named,  previ- 
ous to  submitting  their  reports  to  the  General  Assembly,  be  directed 
to  appoint  from  among  their  own  number  respectively,  a  sub-committee 
to  audit  the  accotmts  of  their  respective  treasurers ;  who  shall  submit 
a  wi'itten  report,  which  shall  accompany  the  report  of  the  committee  as 
made  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  form  a  joart  of  the  same.     Adopted. 

192.   Qiiarto-cejiteimial  services  of  the  Assembly. 

1885,  p.  400.  The  follomng  committee  was  appointed  to  arrange  for 
quarter-centennial  services  commemorative  of  the  organization  of  the 
General  Assembly,  viz. :  Eev.  J.  E.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  W.  P.  Webb,  Esq., 
Eev.  E.  M.  Green,  D.  D.,  and  John  W.  Wallace,  Esq. 

P.  421.  The  committee  appointed  to  arrange  for  the  quarter-cen- 
tennial exercises  to  be  held  during  the  sessions  of  the  next  Assembly 
at  Augusta,  Georgia,  would  recommend  that  this  Assembly  request  the 
officers  of  the  fh-st  General  Assembly,  all  of  whom  are  happily  still  hv- 
ing,  viz. :  Eev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer,  moderator;  Eev.  Dr.  John  N.  Wad- 
del,  stated  clerk ;  and  the  Eev.  Dr.  J.  E.  Wilson,  permanent  clerk,  to 
dehver  addi'esses  upon  that  occasion,  upon  such  topics  as  may  seem  to 
them  to  be  appropriate ;  and  that  this  committee  be  continued  ad  in- 
terim to  arrange  the  details  of  these  commemorative  exercises,  with  in- 
structions to  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

1886,  p.  12.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assem- 
bly "to  arrange  for  quarter-centennial  services  commemorative  of  the 
organization  of  the  General  Assembly,"  with  instructions  to  report  to- 
this  Assembly,  beg  leave  to  suggest  the  followmg  plan,  viz. : 

1.  That  the  Assembly,  in  closing  its  business  sessions  on  Monday, 
the  24th  inst.,  adjourn  to  meet  on  Wednesday  morning,  the  26th,  so 
as  to  devote  the  whole  of  the  intervening  Tuesday  to  the  services  indi- 
cated; and  that,  during  the  continuance  of  these  services,  the  chair- 
man of  this  committee  be  requested  to  preside,  assisted  by  the  moder- 
ator of  the  first  Assembly,  by  the  moderator  of  this  Assembly,  and  by 
the  pastor  of  the  Augusta  chiu'ch. 

2.  That  (interspersed  with  appropriate  religious  exercises)  the  per- 
sons designated  by  the  last  Assembly  to  deliver  addi-esses  on  the  pre- 
sent occasion,  shall  discharge  this  duty  in  the  following  order :  1st,  An 
opening  address  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Wilson ;  2nd,  An  intermediate  addi-ess 
by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Waddel ;  and  3rd,  The  principal  address  by  the  Eev. 
Dr.  Pahner;  the  entire  service  to  be  concluded  at  an  hoiu'  not  later 
than  2  p.  m. 

3.  That  Tuesday  evening,  from  8  o'clock  imtil  10^,  be  given  up  to 
such  social  intercourse  as  shall  be  indicated  by  the  chiu'ch  committee 
of  arrangements.     Adopted. 

P.  21.  This  order  of  exercises  was  carried  out. 

P.  25.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  desiring  to  express  and  permanently  record  its  apprecia- 
tion of  the  exercises  held  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  May  25th,  1886,  commem- 
orative of  the  (quarter-centennial  of  its  organization,  therefore. 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  Committee  of  Publication  be  instructed  to 
pubUsh  in  pamphlet  form  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly  pr(ividmg  for 
this  celebration,  the  report  of  the  committee  of  arrangements,  the  pro- 


Sec.  193.]  Church  Courts.  85 

gramme  or  order  of  exercises,  and  the  three  addi'esses  deHvered  on  the 
occasion  by  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  N.  Waddel,  T>.  D., 
and  Rev.  B.  M.  Pahner,  D.  D.;  that  live  thousand  copies  be  so  pubhshed 
and  sent  to  oiu'  ministers,  for  gTatuitons  distribution  by  them  in  their 
respective  congTegations. 

liesolved,  2,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  are  tendered  to  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Augaista,  for  its  hearty  and  efficient  ef- 
forts in  aid  of  the  execution  of  the  programme,  and  especially  to  the 
ladies  of  the  Fu'st  and  Second  Presbyterian  Chiu'ches,  for  the  dehghtful 
reception  given  by  them,  and  wliich  contributed  so  much  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  this  interesting  occasion. 

193.   Centennial  of  the  first  General  Assembly  in  America. 

1886,  p.  20.  The  following  commvmication  was  received  by  tele- 
gi'aph  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presb^'terian  Church,  U. 
S.  A. : 

Minneapolis,  Minn.,  May  24,  1886. 

To  the  General  Assembly  in  session  at  Augusta,  Ga.,from  the  General 
Assembly  in  session  at  3Iinneapolis,  Minn.,  Greeting: 

1.  Jiesolved,  That  this  General  Assembly,  congratulating  the  Pres- 
byterians of  the  country  upon  the  happy  re-establishment  of  fraternal 
relations  between  the  two  great  branches  of  the  Chiu'ch  in  this  laud, 
most  cordially  and  earnestly  invite  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  to  co-operate  with  us  in  the  year 
1888  in  the  celebration  of  the  organization  of  the  General  Assembly  at 
Philadelphia. 

2.  That  the  committee  of  this  Assembly,  on  the  one  himdi-edth  Gen- 
eral Assenably,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  directed  and  empowered  to 
confer  with  a  similar  committee  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States :  and  if  this  invitation  be  accepted 
and  such  committee  be  appointed,  to  arrange  the  method  and  plan  of 
such  co-operation. 

3.  That  the  moderator  be  requested  to  communicate  these  resolu-- 
tions  by  telegraph  to  the  General  Assembly  now  sitting  in  Augusta, 
Ga.,  in  behalf  of  the  General  Assembly. 

D.  C.  Marquis,  Jloderator. 
W.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 

P.  22.     The  following  reply  was  adopted: 

Augusta,  Georgia,  May  25,  1886, 

To  the  General  ^issembly  in  session  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  from  the 
General  Assembly  in  session  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  Greeting  : 
Resolved  (1,)  That  this  General  Assembly,  particiioating  in  the  glad- 
ness caused  by  the  re-establishment  of  fraternal  relations  between  the 
churches  which  we  respectively  represent,  willingly  accept  the  cordial 
in\'itation  of  the  Genertil  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  to  co-operate  with  them  in  the  year  1888 
in  celebrating  the  organization  of  the  General  Assembly  at  Philadelphia 
in  1788. 

liesolved  (2,)  That  a  committee  of  this  Assembly  be  appointed  to  act 
with  a  similar  committee  of  the  Assembly  at  Minneapohs  in  arraiigiug 
the  mode  of  co-operation  and  the  plan  of  this  celebration. 


86  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book,  III. 

Resolved  (3,)  That  the  moderator  of  this  Assembly  be  authorized  to 
communicate  these  resokitions  by  telegraph  to  the  General  Assembly 
now  in  session  at  Minneapolis. 

J.  H.  Beyson,  MiKlerator, 

Joseph  R.  Wilson,  Stated  Cleric. 

The  following  resolution,  reported  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Correspondence,  was  also  adopted,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  a  similar 
committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  for  a  centennial 
celebration,  shall  also  constitute  the  committee  of  this  Assembly  for 
carrying  out  such  arrangements.  This  committee  shall  be  composed 
as  follows :  Eev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson  as 
his  alternate ;  Rev.  Dr.  M.  D.  Hoge,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Alexander  Martin 
as  his  alternate ;  Rev.  W.  F.  Juukiu,  D.  D.,  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  G.  B. 
Strickler  as  his  alternate ;  R.  L.  Dabnej^,  D.  D.,  with  Rev.  Dr.  R.  K. 
Smoot  as  his  alternate ;  Alphonso  Avery,  of  North  Carolina,  with  B.  F. 
Hall,  of  North  Carolina,  as  his  alternate ;  Patrick  Joyce,  of  Kentucky, 
with  Thomas  W.  Bullitt,  of  Kentucky,  as  his  alternate ;  Thomas  A. 
Hamilton,  of  Alabama,  with  J.  A.  Leland,  of  South  Carohna,  as  his 
alternate. 

1887,  p.  193.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembh^  to 
confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  for  the  pui-pose  of 
arranging  for  a  centennial  celebration  in  the  year  1888,  would  respect- 
fully report: 

That,  by  agreement,  this  conference  was  held  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more on  the  22d  of  December,  1886,  aU  the  members  of  your  committee 
being  present,  with  the  exception  of  Dr.  Dabney,  decHning  to  serve  be- 
cause of  the  state  of  his  health.  Dr.  Smoot,  his  alternate,  also  excused 
himself  on  account  of  the  distance  of  the  place  of  meeting. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  conference  was  harmonious  and  cordial 
tkroughout.  A  printed  copy  of  the  j^roceedings  is  herewith  submitted, 
from  which  all  the  arrangements  may  be  gathered  for  the  proposed 
celebration.  In  order  to  reach  the  masses  which  will  doubtless  assem- 
ble in  Philadelphia,  six  public  meetings  will  be  held — two  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  foui'th  Thursday  of  May,  1888,  two  in  the  afternoon,  two  at 
night- — these  meetings  to  be  held  respectively  at  the  same  hour  in  dif- 
ferent halls,  and  to  be  presided  over  by  representatives  of  the  two  As- 
semblies. 

To  redeem  the  occasion,  as  far  as  possible,  from  mere  sentimental 
self-appreciation,  as  weU  as  to  make  it  bear  upon  the  futiu'e  advancement 
of  the  Church,  twenty  addresses  wiU  be  delivered  upon  as  many  dis- 
tinct topics,  ten  speakers  being  selected  from  each  of  the  two  concur- 
ring Assemblies.  This  equal  division  was  insisted  upon  by  the  breth- 
ren of  the  other  part,  notwithstanding  the  disi^arity  in  numbers  mod- 
estly urged  by  us,  on  the  ground  tliat  the  two  bodies  met  as  units  in 
this  memorial  service,  which  should  be  made  to  appear  upon  the  face 
of  the  occasion. 

Your  committee  did  not  feel  disposed  to  assume  the  responsibility 
of  appointing  the  speakers  who  shall  represent  us  upon  the  platform, 
and  accordingly  refer  tliis  to  the  Assembly  itself  at  the  present  meet- 
ing. 


Sec.  193.]  Church  Courts.  87 

The  following  suggestions  are  respectfully  submitted: 

1.  That  the  General  Assembly  adjourn,  to  meet  next  year  at  some 
point  as  near  as  possible  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  so  as  to  seciu-e  the 
fullest  co-operation  in  this  joint  celebration. 

2.  That  on  Memorial  Day,  the  fourth  Thursday  of  Miiy,  1888,  the 
Assembly  shall  suspend  its  usual  sessions,  allowing  all  its  members  to 
participate  in  this  reunion. 

3.  That  this  General  Assembly  appoint  a  committee,  which  shall 
nominate  the  speakers  for  the  centennial— four  of  these  speakers,  at 
least,  to  be  chosen  from  the  laity :  this  nomination  to  be  made  before 
the  Assembly  rises. 

4.  It  being  possible  that  some  of  these  appointees  may  decline  to 
serve,  that  a  local  committee  (for  convenience  of  consultation)  be  ap- 
jDointed,  which  shall  choose  others  in  their  stead,  giving  nine  months' 
notice,  if  possible,  of  the  duty  expected  of  them. 

5.  That  the  matter  of  raising  a  memonal  fund  be  left  to  the  differ- 
ent jDortions  of  the  C'hiux-h  w4iich  may  choose  to  embark  in  it. 

G.  That  the  Assembly  recommend  to  the  Presbyteries  to  collect  his- 
torical materials  within  their  bounds,  and  forward  the  same  to  the  As- 
sembly of  1888. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  B.  M.  Palmer, 

M.  D.  HoGE, 

AV.   F.    JUNKIN, 

Alphonso  Avery, 
Patrick  Joyce, 
J.  A.  Leland. 

This  report,  with  other  documents,  was  refen-ed  to  a  special  Com- 
mittee on  the  Centennial  Celebration,  of  which  Rev.  T.  L.  Preston, 
D.  D.,  was  chairman.     (P.  201.) 

P.  218.  This  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adt)pted : 

Your  committee  has  had  submitted  to  it  the  following  papers,  ^dz. : 

1.  An  invitation  to  this  General  Assembly  to  hold  its  next  session  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  from  the  Presb^-teiy  of  Philadelphia.  (P.  195.) 

2.  An  invitation  from  the  Second  Church  of  Philadelphia,  inviting 
the  Assembly  to  hold  its  sessions  in  that  church,  tendering  to  it  the 
hospitality  t)f  the  church  and  people.     (P.  190.) 

3.  The  printed  minutes  of  the  (id  iiiteriin  committee,  appointed  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  centennial  celebration  on  the  fom'th  Thurs- 
day of  May,  1888. 

4.  A  report  from  the  committee  of  our  General  Assembly,  ap])ointed 
to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, U.  S.  A.,  making  certain  suggestions  to  this  Assembly  with  regard 
to  carrying  out  the  plan  proposed  by  the  joint  committee  of  the  two 
Assembhes. 

(1.)  To  the  invitation  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  we  recom- 
mend the  following  response :  That  this  Assembly  has  received  the 
kind  and  courteous  invitation  of  the  Presbyteiy,  and  recognizes  the 
Christian  sentiment  and  fraternjil  regards  which  prompted  the  breth- 
ren of  the  Presbyteiy  to  desii-e  to  have  oiu-  Assembly  to  meet  with 
them;  that  the  Assembly  very  highly  api)reciates  the  cordial  terms  in 
which  the  Presb\'terv  jjreseuts  its  request,  and  reciprocates  heartily 
the  expressions  of  friendliness  and  fraternity  contained  in  their  letter. 


88  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

But  the  Assembly  does  not  deem  it  judicious  to  appoint  a  meeting 
of  the  body  outside  our  own  bounds,  or  to  depart  from  the  invariable 
custom  of  meeting  within  the  limits  of  one  of  our  own  churches. 

In  dechning  to  accept  the  iuAdtation  tendered  us,  we  would  not  have 
the  Presbytery  suppose  that  we  are  in  the  least  degree  insensible  to 
the  generous  impulse  that  prompted  the  Presbytery  to  desire  to  have 
our  Assembly  meet  within  their  bounds. 

(2.)  To  the  invitation  of  the  Second  Church  of  Philadelphia,  we  re- 
<commend  the  following  response  : 

If  the  proverbial  hospitality'  of  your  noble  city  needed  any  commen- 
dation to  us,  w^e  should  lind  it  in  the  cordial  invitation  which  you  have 
extended  to  us,  which  has  been  so  handsomely  expressed  by  the  au- 
thorities of  your  church.  If  oiu'  Assembly  had  determined  to  meet  in 
your  city,  we  should  have  accepted  with  great  gratification  the  kind 
hospitahties  of  your  people.  But  our  Assembly  has  determined  that 
it  will  be  both  wise  and  prudent  for  us  to  meet  in  one  of  our  ovpn 
churches,  so  that  we  cannot  have  the  pleasure  which  you  propose  to  us 
of  making  the  acquaintance  of  your  people.  Please  convey  to  the  peo- 
ple of  your  church  our  appreciation  of  their  Christian  courtesy. 

(3.)  We  recommend  the  Assembly  to  approve  the  minutes  of  the  ad 
interim,  committee,  to  commend  their  diligence,  and  to  concur  in  the 
propriety  of  the  arrangements  which  they  have  made. 

(4.)  The  following  suggestions  of  the  committee  are  recommended 
for  adoption : 

1.  That  the  General  Assembly  adjoiu-n,  to  meet  next  year  in  the 
Frankhn-Street  church,  Baltimore,  tendered  to  the  Assembly  by  the 
pastor,  so  as  to  secure  the  fullest  co-operation  in  this  joint  celebration. 

2.  That  on  Memorial  Day,  the  fourth  Thiu-sday  of  May,  1888,  the 
Assembly  shaU  suspend  its  usual  session,  allowing  all  its  members  to 
participate  in  this  reunion. 

3.  That  the  following  be  appointed  as  the  speakers  who  shall  repre- 
sent this  Assembly  in  the  centennial  celebration:  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer, 
Dr.  M.  D.  Hoge,  Dr.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  Dr.  M.  H.  Houston,  Dr.  W.  W. 
Moore,  Dr.  Jerry  Witherspoon,  Hon.  J.  Eandolph  Tucker,  of  Virginia; 
Hon.  W.  C.  P.  Breckinridge,  of  Kentucky ;  Hon.  J.  tS.  Cothran,  of  South 
Carolina,  and  Hon.  Clifford  Anderson,  of  Georgia. 

4.  That  the  following  shall  constitute  the  local  committee,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  fill  the  vacancies  in  the  list  of  speakers  that  may 
arise  from  the  declination  of  any  of  those  who  are  appointed,  and  to 
attend  to  any  such  details  of  preparation  for  the  celebration  as  may  be 
necessary.  Where  such  vacancies  are  filled,  at  least  nine  monijis'  notice, 
if  possible,  shall  be  given  to  those  appointed,  of  the  duty  expected  of 
them:  Rev.  James  P.  Smith,  Rev.  M.  D.  Hoge,  Rev.  R.  E.  Howison, 
Mr.  R.  T.  Brooke,  Hon.  C.  F.  ColHer,  Dr.  A.  N.  HoUifield,  Dr.  C.  R. 
Hemphill. 

5.  That  the  matter  of  raising  a  memorial  fimd  be  left  to  the  differ- 
■ent  jDortions  of  the  Church  which  may  choose  to  embark  in  it. 

(5.  That  the  Assembly  recommend  to  the  Presbyteries  to  collect  his- 
torical materials  within  their  bounds,  and  forward  the  same  to  the  As- 
seml>ly  of  1888. 

7.  Assignment  of  subjects  for  speakers:  (1.)  Histoiy  of  Presbyte- 
rianism:  its  work  for  the  future:  Dr.  Girardeaii.  (2.)  Calvinism  and 
reUgious  hberty :  Mr.  Breckinridge.    (3.)  Adaptation  of  Presbyterianism 


Sec.  194,  195.]  Chukch  CotiUTS.  89 

to  the  masses :  Mr.  Tucker.  (4.)  City  evangelization :  Dr.  Hoge.  (5.) 
Calvinism  and  human  progress :  Judge  Cothi-an.  (6.)  Lay  effort 
among  the  masses  :  Mr.  Anderson.  (7.)  Foreign  Missions :  Dr.  Hous- 
ton. (8.)  Home  Missions :  Dr.  Moore.  (9.)  Children  of  the  covenant : 
Dr.  Palmer.     (10.)  Closing  address :  Dr.  Witherspoon. 

P.  219.  To  the  local  committee  appointed  above,  styled  elsewhere 
(p.  287)  the  "  Committee  of  Arrangements,"  it  was  assigned  as  a  duty 
to  make  all  necessary  additional  arrangements. 

P.  221.  The  treasurer  of  the  Assembly  is  directed  to  pay  the  ex- 
jDenses  of  those  who  shall  represent  this  Assembly  at  the  centennial 
celebration,  and  of  the  local  committee,  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
imposed  on  them. 


CHAPTER   Y. 

GENERAL  PO^^^ES  OF  CHURCH  COURTS. 

194.  Church  courts  have  potoer  to  make  deliverances  affirrtxing  what  is 

an  ojfense. 

1865,  p.  361.  Inquiry  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ross,  whether  everj- chui'ch 
session  has  the  right  to  make  it  a  rule  that  dancing  and  other  amuse- 
ments are  disciplinary? 

Answer :  No  chiu'ch  judicatory  has  a  right  to  make  any  new  rules 
of  chiu'ch  membership  different  from  those  contained  in  the  constitu- 
tion ;  but  it  is  the  undoubted  right  of  the  church  session,  and  of  every 
other  judicatory,  to  make  a  deliverance,  affirming  its  sense  of  what  is 
"  an  offense,"  in  the  meaning  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Chap.  I.,  Sec. 

in. 

195.  The  nature  and  authority  of  in-thesi  deliverances  of  church 

courts. 

1879,  p.  23.  Overture  from  the  Presb}i;ery  of  Atlanta,  asking  the 
Assembly  for  definite  instructions  upon  the  following  points,  to-wit : 

J^irst,  Are  the  deUverances  of  1865,  1869,  and  1877,  on  the  subject 
of  worldly  amusements,  to  be  accepted  and  enforced  as  law  by  judicial 
process  ? 

Second,  Are  all  the  offenses  named  in  them  to  be  so  dealt  with,  or 
are  exceptions  to  be  made  ? 

Third,  Are  the  deliverances  of  all  our  church  courts  of  the  same 
nature  and  authority,  so  far  as  the  boimds  of  those  respective  courts 
extend  ? 

In  answer  to  these  questions,  the  Assembly  imanimously  adopted  the 
following  minute : 

First,  This  Assembly  would  answer  the  first  question  in  the  negative, 
upon  the  following  grounds  : 

First,  That  these  deliverances  do  not  require  judicial  prosecution  ex- 
pressty,  and  could  not  require  it,  without  violating  the  spirit  of  our  law. 

/Second,  That  none  of  these  deliverances  Avere  made  by  the  Assembly 
in  a  strictly  judicial  capacity,  but  were  all  dehverances  i/i  thesi,  and 
therefore  can  be  considered  as  only  didactic,  ad\-isory  and  monitoiy. 


90  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  III. 

Third,  That  the  Assembly  has  no  powei-  to  issue  orders  to  institute 
process,  except  according  to  the  provisions  of  Book  of  Disciphne,  Chap. 
VII.,  in  the  old,  and  Chap.  XIII.,  Sec.  I.,  in  the  re\dsed  Book;  and  all 
these  provisions  imply  that  the  court  of  remote  jurisdiction  is  dealing 
"with  a  particular  court  of  original  jurisdiction,  and  not  with  such  courts 
in  general.  The  injunctions,  therefore,  upon  the  sessions  to  exercise 
discipline  in  the  matter  of  worldly  amusements  are  to  be  imderstood 
only  as  utterances  of  the  solemn  testimony  of  these  Assemblies  against 
a  great  and  growing  evil  in  the  Church.  The  power  to  utter  such  a. 
testimony  will  not  be  disputed,  since  it  is  so  expressly  given  to  the  As- 
semblies in  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XII.,  Sec.  V.,  of  the  old, 
and  in  revised  Book  of  Church  Order,  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V., 
Sec.  VI.,  Art.  VI.,  and  this  testimony  this  Assembly  does  hereby  most 
solemnly  and  affectionately  reiterate. 

In  thus  defining  the  meaning  and  intent  of  the  action  of  former  As- 
semblies, this  General  Assembly  does  not  mean,  in  the  slightest  degree, 
to  interfere  with  the  power  of  discipline  in  any  of  its  forms,  which  is 
given  to  the  coiu'ts  below  by  the  constitution  of  the  Church ;  or  to  inti- 
mate that  discipline  in  its  sternest  form  may  not  be  necessary,  in  some 
cases,  in  order  to  arrest  the  evils  in  question.  The  occasion,  the  mode, 
the  degree,  and  the  kind  of  discipline  must  be  left  to  the  courts  of  origi- 
nal jimsdictiou,  under, the  checks  and  restraints  of  the  constitution. 
All  that  is  designed  is  to  deny  the  power  of  the  Assembly  to  make  law 
for  the  Church  in  the  matter  of  "  oflenses,"  or  to  give  to  its  deliverances 
in  thesi  the  force  of  judicial  decisions. 

Second,  The  second  c[uestion,  which  is,  "Are  all  the  offenses  named 
in  the  deliverances  of  1865,  1869  and  1877  to  be  dealt  with  in  the  way 
of  judicial  process,  or  are  exceptions  to  be  made  ?"  needs  no  answer 
after  what  has  been  said  in  answer  to  the  first. 

Third,  In  answer  to  the  third  question,  relative  to  the  nature  and 
authority  of  our  different  church  courts,  this  Assembly  would  say  that 
the  nature  and  authority  of  all  our  church  courts  are  the  same,  so  far  as 
the  bounds  of  these  respective  courts  extend,  subject,  of  course,  to  the 
provisions  for  review  and  control  of  the  lower  courts  by  the  higher. 
The  power  of  the  whole  is  in  every  part,  but  the  power  of  the  whole  is 
over  the  power  of  every  part. 

The  perplexity  about  the  nature  of  the  deliverances  in  question  has 
arisen  from  confcjunding  two  senses  in  which  the  word  discipline  is 
used  in  our  constitution.  One  is  that  of  "judicial  process,"  the  other 
is  that  of  inspection,  inquest,  remonstrance,  rebuke  and  "private  ad- 
monition." (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  III.,  Art.  IV.)  The 
one  is  strictly  judicial  or  forensic ;  the  other  is  that  general  oversight 
of  the  fiock  which  belongs  to  the  officers  of  the  Church,  as  charged 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  with  the  duty  of  watching  for  souls.  The  one  can- 
not be  administered  at  all  except  by  a  court  of  the  Chm-ch ;  the  other, 
while  it  is  a  function  of  that  charity  which  all  the  members  of  the 
Church  are  bomid  to  possess  and  cherish  for  each  other,  is  yet  the 
special  and  official  f miction  of  the  rulers,  to  be  exercised  with  authority 
toward  those  who  are  committed  to  their  care.  In  the  judgment  of 
this  Assembly,  great  harm  is  done  by  the  custom  of  identifying,  in 
popular  speech,  these  two  forms  oi  discipline,  or,  rather,  by  forgetting 
that  there  is  some  other  discipline  than  that  of  judicial  process.  Many 
an  erring  sheep  might  be  restored  to  a  place  of  safety  within  the  fold 


Secs.  196-198.]  Chukch  COUKTS.  91 

by  kind  and  tender,  yet  firm  and  faithful  efforts,  in  private,  who  might 
be  driven  farther  away  by  the  immediate  resort  to  discipline  in  its 
sterner  and  more  terrifying  forms.  The  distinction  here  asserted  is 
recognized  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  in  onr  constitution,  for  substance 
at  least,  in  the  directions  given  for  the  conduct  of  chiux-h  members  in 
the  case  of  personal  and  private  injuries.  (8ee  Chap.  II.,  Art.  III.,  of 
the  old  Book  of  Discipline,  and  Chap.  I.,  Azi;.  IV.,  of  the  revised;  also, 
Matthew  xviii.  15,  IG.)  If  scandal  can  be  removed  or  prevented  in  such 
cases,  more  effectually  oftentimes  by  faithful  dealing  in  private  with 
off'enders  than  by  judicial  process,  it  does  not  appear  why  similar  good 
results  maj-  not  foUow  from  the  like  dealing  in  the  matter  of  worldly 
amusements. 

196.  No  deliverance  in  thesi  can  modify  or  set  aside  a  judicial  sentence. 

1879,  p.  57.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  asking  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  reconsider  the  action  of  the  Assembly  of  1878,  ap- 
l^roving  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  "  in  restraining  from 
the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  the  ministry  a  minister  deemed  irre- 
sponsible for  his  words  and  acts  by  reason  of  unsoimdness  of  mind, 
•without  the  usual  forms  of  judicial  process." 

And  the  S;\Tiod  furthermore  ask  the  Assembly  to  "make  such  a  de- 
hverance  on  the  subject  as  shall  obviate  any  Habihty  to  misinterpreta- 
tion, or  danger  of  the  introduction  of  principles  or  usages  at  variance 
with  the  regiilation  of  our  standards,  and  threatening  to  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  our  ministers  and  people." 

The  Assembly  made  the  following  answer: 

While  it  might  be  competent  for  one  General  Assembly,  imder  such 
rules  as  the  constitution  provides,  to  grant  a  new  hearing  of  a  case 
which  has  been  judicially  decided  by  a  prerioiis  General  Assembly,  yet 
inasmuch  as  this  memorial  simply  asks  for  a  deliverance  in  a  case  ad- 
judicated by  the  Assembly  of  1878,  this  Assembly  declines  to  grant  the 
recpiest  of  the  memorial,  for  the  reason  that  no  deliverance  in  tJtesi  can 
modify  or  set  aside  a  judicial  sentence." 

197.  Declines  to  repeal  or  modify  this  deliverance. 

1880,  p.  201.  "  The  S^^-nod  of  South  Carolina  hereby  overtures  the 
General  Assembly,  respectfully  praying  that  it  will  consider  and  I'epeal, 
or  at  least  seriously  modify,  so  much  of  the  dehverance  of  the  last  As- 
sembly at  Louisville,  in  relation  to  worldly  amusements,  as  declares 
that  all  deliverances  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  by  necessary  impli- 
cation, of  the  other  coiuis  of  the  Chui'ch,  which  ax*e  not  made  by  them 
in  a  strictly  judicial  capacity,  but  are  deliverances  in  thesi,  can  be  con- 
sidered as  only  didactic,  advisoiy,  and  monitory." 

To  this  request  the  Assembly  made  the  following  reply: 
1.  This  Assembly  interprets  the  language  complained  of  in  the  over- 
ture, as  by  no  means  declaring  that  (dl  deliverances  >n  thesi,  uttered  by 
a  General  Assembly,  are  to  be  considered  as  merely  "didactic,  advisory, 
and  monitoiy;"  but  only  as  assuming  that,  when  any  in  thesi  deliver- 
ance bears  upon  the  law  of  offenses  and  the  administration  of  disci- 
pline, it  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  fm-nishing  a  sufficient  ground  for  ju- 
dicial process  by  the  coinis  of  original  jurisdiction,  a  part  of  which 
original  jurisdiction  is  the  power  of  interpreting  for  itself  the  law  of 
offenses,  as  laid  down  in  the  constitution  of  the  Chui'ch. 


92  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  III. 

2.  This  Assembly  declines  to  repeal  or  modify  the  deliverance  of  the 
last  General  Assembly  referred  to,  as  thus  interpreted. 

198.   The  right  of  private  judgment. 

1881,  p.  383.  To  an  overture  from  the  Synod  of  Texas  the  following 
answer  was  made : 

The  Form  of  Government  (Chap.  V.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  II.,)  declares  that 
"  chiu"ch  courts  can  make  no  laws  binding  the  conscience,  but  may  frame 
symbols  of  faith,"  etc.  It  follows  that  church  courts  are  not  infallible, 
but  on  the  contrary,  "all  may  err,  and  many  have  erred;  therefore  they 
are  not  to  be  made  the  rule  of  faith  or  practice,  but  to  be  used  as  a  help 
in  both."  (Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXI.,  Sec.  III.)  Thus  the 
right  of  private  judgment  is  asserted ;  this  right,  however,  is  not  op- 
posed to  lawful  authority,  but  to  the  assumption  of  power  to  bind  the 
conscience. 

199.  Limitation  on  the  right  of  protest. 

1875,  J).  23.  Overtui-e  from  James  A.  Wallace  and  others,  proposing 
the  follovFing  questions : 

"Is  it  regular  for  a  member  who  was  not  present  to  vote  at  a  meet- 
ing of  a  judicatory,  to  protest  against  an  act  of  that  judicatory  at  a  sub-' 
sequent  meeting  ?  " 

"  Should  there  be  any  limitation  of  time,  when  a  protest  may  be 
admitted  to  record  against  such  action,  after  the  rising  of  the  judica- 
toiy  ? " 

"Is  it  regular  to  protest  against  an  act  after  the  records  have  been 
approved  by  a  higher  judicatory  ?  " 

The  committee  recommend  the  following  answer : 

In  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  a  protest  should  be  submitted  at 
the  meeting  at  which  the  action  was  taken  against  which  the  protest  is 
offered.     Adopted. 

200.  Mode  of  representation  in  the  higher  courts. 

1882,  p.  572.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  requesting  that 
the  Assembly  take  the  necessary  steps  for  effecting  the  following  change 
in  our  Form  of  Government  in  reference  to  the  constitution  of  our 
chiu'ch  courts,  to-wit :  That  as  the  Presbytery  is  composed  of  represen- 
tatives from  the  church  sessions,  or  parochial  Presbyteries,  the  Synod 
in  Uke  manner  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  Presbyteries,  that 
is,  of  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Presbyteries,  and  the  General 
Assembly  of  representatives  from  the  Synods,  or  commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  the  Synods. 

The  Assembly  decHned  to  take  the  step  proposed. 

201.  Authority  of  deliverances  of  church  courts  and  force  of  logical 
inferences  from  the  same. 

1881,  p.  300.  To  an  overtm-e  from  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  the 
Assembly  returns  the  answer :  That  all  just  and  necessary  consequences 
from  the  law  of  the  Church  are  a  part  of  the  same,  in  the  logical  sense 
of  being  implicitly  contained  therein.  The  authority  of  this  law  is, 
however,  two-fold :  it  binds  all  those  who  profess  to  live  under  it  as  a 
covenant  by  which  they  are  united  in  one  communion,  so  that  there  is 


Secs.  202, 203.],  Chukch  Coukts.  93 

no  escape  from  its  control  except  by  renouncing  its  jiu'isdiction ;  and 
it  binds  because  it  has  been  accepted  as  a  true  expression  of  what  is 
revealed  in  Holy  Scripture  as  infallible  truth.  The  consequences  de- 
duced from  it  cannot,  therefore,  be  equal  in  authority  vdih.  the  law  it- 
self, unless  they  be  necessarily  contained  within  it,  as  shown  by  their 
agreement  also  with  the  Divine  Word. 

202.   Tenure  of  office  for  clerks. 

1887,  p.  232.  Overtiu'es  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Lexington,  Mont- 
gomery, and  Central  Texas,  asking  that  an  amendment  to  the  Book  of 
Church  Order  be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  making  certain  Hmita- 
tions  to  the  office  of  clerk,  that  a  re-election  shall  be  had  eveiy  tlu'ee  or 
five  years. 

Answer :  The  General  Assembly  declines  to  send  down  the  proposed 
amendment. 

203.    Commissioner  to  a  higher  court  may  he  required  to  report  on 
other  matters  than  his  diligence. 

1887,  p.  205.  The  Committee  on  the  Eecords  of  the  Synod  of  Mis- 
sissippi reported  the  following  exception :  That  on  pages  213,  214,  an 
overture  from  the  Prytania-street  chui'ch  was  answered  incoiTectly.  A 
commissioner  from  one  coui't  to  a  higher  is  required  to  render  a  report 
of  his  diligence  only.  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  III.,  Ai*t. 
v.,  last  part,  and  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  VI.,  last  part,  and  Sec.  I.,  Art.  I.) 

This  exception  was  not  sustained.     (P.  210.) 


BOOK    IV. 

THE    AGENCIES    OF    THE    CHURCH. 


CHAPTER    I. 

FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

204.    ConsHtutio7i  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions. 

1861,  p.  15.  For  the  organization  of  a  permanent  agency  for  conduct- 
ing Foreign  Missions,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Hesolved,  1,  That  this  General  Assembly  proceed  to  appoint  an  ex- 
ecutive committee,  with  its  proper  officers,  to  carry  on  this  work,  and 
that  the  character  and  functions  of  this  committee  be  comprised  in  the 
following  articles  as  its  constitution,  viz. : 

Akt.  I.  This  committee  shall  be  known  as  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Presbj^terian  Church  in  the  Confederate 
States  of  America.  It  shall  consist  of  a  secretary,  who  shall  be  styled 
the  Secretary  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  who  shall  be  the  committee's 
organ  of  communication  with  the  Assembly,  and  with  all  portions  of  the 
work  entrusted  to  tliis  committee ;  a  treasiu'er,  and  nine  other  members, 
three  of  whom  at  least  shall  be  ruling  elders  or  deacons,  or  private 
members  of  the  chiuxh,  all  appointed  annually  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  shall  be  directly  amenable  to  it  for  the  faithful  and  efficient 
discharge  of  the  duties  entrusted  to  its  care.  Vacancies  occurring  ad 
interim  it  shall  fill  if  necessary. 

Art.  II.  It  shall  meet  once  a  month,  or  often  er  if  necessary,  at  the 
caU  of  the  chairman  or  secretary.  Five  members  may  constitute  a 
quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  It  may  enact  by-laws  for  its 
government,  the  same  being  subject  to  the  revisal  and  approval  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

Art.  III.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  executive  committee  to  take  di- 
rection and  control  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  work,  subject  to  such  in- 
structions as  may  be  given  by  the  General  Assembly  "from  time  to  time ; 
to  appoint  missionaries  and  assistant  missionaries ;  to  designate  their 
fields  of  labor,  and  provide  for  their  support ;  to  receive  the  reports  of 
the  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  to  give  such  directions  in  relation  to 
their  respective  duties  as  may  seem  necessary ;  to  authorize  appropria- 
tions and  expenditures  of  money,  including  the  salaries  of  officers ;  to 
communicate  to  the  churches  from  time  to  time  such  information  about 
the  missiimaiy  work  as  may  seem  important  to  be  known ;  and  to  lay 
before  the  General  Assembly  from  year  to  year  a  full  report  of  the 
work,  and  of  their  receipts  and  expenditures,  together  with  their  books 
of  minutes  for  examination. 

Hesolved.  2,  That  this  committee  shaU  be  located  at  Columbia, 
S.  C. 


Sec.  205.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  95 

205.    Work  of  the  Proviswiud  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Brethren  in  Columbia,  S.  C. ,  having  called  the  attention  of  the  church  through- 
out the  Confederacy  to  the  pressing  demand  of  our  missions  among  the  Western 
tribes  of  Indians,  and  having  received  and  disbursed  funds  sent  forward,  to  the  amount 
of  more  than  $4,^^00,  and  having  reported  its  labors  to  the  convention  of  delegates 
from  various  Presbyteries  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  commonly  known 
as  the  Atlanta  Convention,  which  met  in  Atlanta  in  August,  1861,  that  convention 
fully  endorsed  their  action,  and  as  far  as  it  had  authority,  and  to  the  extent  of  the 
Presbyteries  represented  therein,  ai^poiuted  the  same  brethren  at  Columbia  to  con- 
tinue the  work  till  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  to  be  held  in  Augusta  in 
December  next,  when  the  whole  subject  of  Missions,  Foreign  and  Domestic,  as  well 
as  all  other  objects  of  Christian  enterprise  in  which  our  Presbjiierian  people  are  en- 
gaged, would  be  provided  for. 

This  convention  further  apjioiuted  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  and  Rev. 
Charlton  Henry  Wilson,  formerly  missionary  to  the  Choctaws,  a  commission  to 
visit  the  missionaries  and  native  preachere  among  these  Indians,  to  prevent  their 
entire  disiJersion  and  the  loss  of  what  has  already  been  accomplished  among  them, 
with  instructions  to  re^jort  fully  the  state  of  those  missions  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly at  its  first  meeting.  All  our  churches  were  requested  to  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  these  Indian  missions,  and  of  those  missionaries  in  more  distant  fields,  as 
China,  Siam,  and  Japan,  wh(j  went  from  our  Southern  country.  Provision  was 
further  made  for  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson  from  the 
time  he  entered  ujjon  his  duties  at  Columbia,  in  June  last.  The  cost  of  this  entire 
work,  together  with  the  expenses  of  the  commission  to  the  Indians,  was  estimated 
to  be  about  ^20,000  per  annum.  (Condensed  from  the  pubhshed  proceedings  of 
the  convention  of  delegates  held  in  Atlanta.) — A. 

1861,  p.  44.  The  commission  above  alluded  to  presented  to  the  Augusta  As- 
sembly an  elaborate  and  exhaustive  report  of  its  visit  to  the  Indian  Territory,  and 
of  the  outlook  for  missions  in  that  field.  It  described  the  countrj',  its  situation, 
population,  and  direction  of  its  sympathies,  the  mode  in  which  missionary  work 
has  heretofore  been  conducted  among  the  Indians,  the  recent  excitement,  its  cause 
and  its  results.  It  spoke  of  the  interviews  held  with  the  missionaries  and  addresses 
made  to  the  Choctaw  coiincil,  with  the  results  of  the  same.  It  declared  these  mis- 
sions entitled  to  the  confidence  of  the  Southern  States,  spoke  of  the  measure  of 
success  so  far  achieved,  and  its  great  need  of  being  sustained ;  declared  that  the 
Indian  tribes,  in  the  providence  of  God,  have  been  thrown  upon  the  care  of  the 
Southern  Church,  and  that  their  sympathies  were  with  the  Southern  people  in  the 
great  conflict  now  agitating  the  land.     (Condensed. ) 

111  regard  to  this  report,  and  the  minutes  of  the  provisional  com- 
mittee, the  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

1861,  p.  16.  Resolved,  That  thi-ee  thousand  copies  of  this  report  be 
printed  under  the  direction  of  the  executive  committee,  and  we  ear- 
nestly recommend  that  it  be  read  to  all  our  congregations  cm  some  suit- 
aljle  (Occasion,  and  that  the  minutes  be  committed  to  the  executive  com- 
mittee to  be  appointed,  and  entered  on  theii*  book  of  records  as  an  in- 
troduction to  their  own  minutes. 

2.  That  the  Assembly  accepts  with  joyful  gi'atitude  to  God  the  care 
of  these  missions  among  our  Southwestern  Indian  tribes,  the  Choctaws, 
Chickasaws,  Creeks,  Seminoles  and  Cherokees,  thus  thrown  upon  them 
by  his  pro\idence :  missions  whose  whole  history  has  been  signalized 
by  a  degree  of  success  attending  few  other  modern  missions — to  a  peo- 
ple comprising  near  seventy  thousand  souls,  to  whom  we  are  bound  by 
obhgations  of  special  tenderness  and  strength,  and  whose  spiritual  in- 
terests must  ever  be  dear  to  the  Christians  of  this  land;  a  people  des- 
tined, ere  long,  to  share  ■nath  us  the  fuU  enjoyment  of  the  social  and 
political  blessings  for  which  we  are  now  strugghng.  And  the  Assem- 
bly assures  those  people,  and  the  beloved  missionaries  that  have  so  long 
and  successfully  labored  among  them,  of  om*  fixed  purpose,  under  God, 
to  sustain  and  carry  forward  the  blessed  work  whose  foundations  have 


96  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

been  so  nobly  and  so  deeply  laid.  We,  therefore,  decidedly  approve  of 
the  recommendation  of  this  report,  that  six  new  missionaries  be  sent  to 
this  field  speedily,  two  of  them  to  commence  a  new  mission  among  the 
Cherokees,  and  tliat  a  few  small  boarding  schools  be  established,  with 
the  special  design  of  raising  up  a  native  agency. 

3.  That  in  the  striking  fact  that  the  same  upheaving  and  overturning 
that  have  called  us  into  existence  as  a  distinct  organization,  and  shut  us 
out  from  j)resent  access  to  the  distant  nations,  has  also  laid  thus  upon 
our  hearts  and  hands  these  interesting  missions,  with  their  fifteen  sta- 
tions, their  twelve  ordained  ministers,  and  sixteen  hundred  communi- 
cants, so  that,  at  the  very  moment  of  commencing  our  separate  exist- 
ence, we  find  them  forming  in  fact  an  organic  part  of  our  body ;  and 
also  in  the  gratifying  promptitude  with  which  our  church  has  advanced 
to  their  support — the  Assembly  recognizes  most  gratefully  the  clear 
foreshadowing  of  the  Divine  purpose  to  make  our  beloved  church  an 
eminently  missionary  church,  and  a  heart-stirring  call  upon  all  her 
people  to  engage  in  this  blessed  work  with  new  zeal  and  self-denial. 

4.  The  Assembly  further  rejoices  to  know  that  there  are  a  few  of  the 
sons  of  our  Southern  Zion  who  are  laboring  in  distant  lands,  and  ap- 
proves heartily  of  the  action  of  the  committee  in  forwarding  funds  for 
the  sujDi^ort  of  the  missions  in  which  they  are  engaged,  trusting  that 
the  committee  to  be  appointed  will,  as  soon  as  possible,  ascertain  the 
facts  on  the  svibject  necessary  to  their  futvu'e  guidance,  and  takes  this 
occasion  hence  to  direct  the  longing  eyes  of  the  whole  chiu'ch  to  those 
broad  fields  where  Satan  reigns  almost  unclisturbed — to  India,  Siam, 
China,  Japan,  and  especially  to  Africa  and  South  America,  which  have 
peculiar  claims  upon  us,  as  fields  where  we  are  soon  to  be  called  to  win 
glorious  victories  for  our  King,  if  we  prove  faithful,  and  solemnly 
charges  them  that  now,  while  in  the  convulsions  that  are  shaking  the 
earth  we  hear  the  tread  of  his  coming  footsteps  to  take  the  kingdom 
bought  with  his  blood,  they  should  be  preparing  to  meet  him  with  their 
whole  hearts  and  their  largest  offerings. 

5.  Finally,  the  General  Assembly  desires  distinctly  and  deliberately 
to  inscribe  on  our  church's  banner,  as  she  now  first  imfurls  it  to  the 
world,  in  immediate  connection  with  the  Headship  of  her  Lord,  his 
last  command :  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature ; "  regarding  this  as  the  great  end  of  her  organization, 
and  obedience  to  it  as  the  indispensable  condition  of  her  Lord's  prom- 
ised presence,  and  as  one  great  comprehensive  object,  a  proper  concep- 
tion of  whose  vast  magnitude  and  grandeur  is  the  only  thing  which,  in 
connection  with  the  love  of  Christ,  can  ever  sufficiently  arouse  her  en- 
ergies and  develop  her  resources,  so  as  to  cause  her  to  carry  on,  with 
the  vigor  and  efficiency  which  true  fealty  to  her  Lord  demands,  those 
other  agencies  necessary  to  her  internal  growth  and  home  prosperity. 
The  claims  of  this  cause  ought,  therefore,  to  be  kept  constantly  before 
the  minds  of  oui*  people  and  pressed  upon  their  consciences ;  and  every 
minister  owes  it  to  his  people  and  to  a  perishing  world  to  give  such  in- 
struction on  this  subject  as  he  is  al)le ;  and  to  this  end  the  monthly  con- 
cert ought  to  be  devoutly  observed  l\y  every  church  on  the  first  Sabbath 
of  each  month,  for  the  purpose  of  missionary  instruction  as  well  as 
prayer,  and  it  would  be  well  to  accompany  their  prayers  with  their  of- 
ferings. To  the  same  end  the  Assembly  earnestly  enjoins  upon  all  our 
ministers  and  ruling  elders  and  deacons  and  Sabbath-school  teachers, 


Secs.  206-200.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  97 

and  especially  ixp^u  pai'ents,  paiiicular  attention  to  our  precious  j'outh 
in  training  them  to  feel  a  deep  interest  in  this  work,  and  not  only  to 
form  habits  of  systematic  benevolence,  but  to  feel  and  respond  to  the 
claims  of  Jesus  upon  them  for  personal  service  in  the  iield.  And  shoidd 
a  Sabbath-school  paper  be  estabhshed,  they  recommend  that  at  least 
one  page  be  exclusively  devoted  to  this  subject. 

The  above  report  is  somewhat  abridged. — A. 

20G.    Tlie  committee  organized. 

1862,  p.  30.  The  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions,  immedi- 
ately after  the  adjournment  of  the  General  Assembly  in  December  last, 
organized  themselves  as  a  committee,  and  entered  upon  the  work  as- 
signed them  by  the  Assembly.  A  room  was  secured  in  Columbia  for 
the  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  also  as  a  place  of  meeting  for  the  com- 
mittee, and  thus  a  local  and  permanent  character  has  been  given  to 
this  branch  of  the  Church's  benevolence. 

207.  Monthly  Concert  of  Prayer  for  Foreign  Missions. 

1862,  p.  10.  liesolced,  That  this  Assembly  renew  the  recommend- 
ation for  a  concert  of  prayer,  to  be  held  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  each 
month  in  all  our  churches,  for  the  Lord's  blessing  upon  the  cause  of 
Missions,  and  that  contributions  be  made  at  those  meetings  whenever 
expedient. 

(This  recommendation  is  renewed  from  year  to  year  in  substantially 
the  same  words.) 

208.    Collections  at  the  Monthly  Concert. 

1868,  p.  276.  Fegular  collections  should  be  taken  up  at  such  meet- 
ings, in  addition  to  the  annual  collection  for  this  object,  as  heretofore 
advised  and  urged  h\  the  Assembly. 

1872,  p.  168.  Jiesolved,  That  the  collections  made  in  connection 
with  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer,  on  alternate  months  (^.  e.  on 
the  first  Sabbath  in  Februar}^  April,  June,  August,  October  and  De- 
cember) be  devoted  to  Foreign  Missions. 

209.    The  Missiomiry. 

1862,  p.  31.  From  the  report  of  the  executive  committee :  The  com- 
mittee have  thus  far  used  the  weekly  religious  journals  as  the  medium 
of  communicating  missionary  intelligence  to  the  churches,  and  it  is 
their  opinion  that  so  long  as  the  editors  of  these  papers  are  wiUing  for 
their  columns  to  be  used  in  this  way,  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  any 
other  organ  of  commimication  with  the  churches. 

1867,  p.  138.  The  committee  is  authorized  to  pubhsli  a  monthly 
missionary  paper  for  gratuitous  circulation  to  ministers  and  Sabbath- 
school  superintendents. 

1873,  p.  315.  lieso/rcd,  That  77/t'  Mi.^sioiKO-y  he  strongly  commended 
as  an  instrumentality  of  great  value  in  difiusing  information,  and  in 
creating  and  extending  an  interest  in  behalf  of  ^Missions.  The  ex- 
ecutive committee  is  encouraged  to  press  the  circulation  of  this  journal 
by  all  the  means  in  their  power. 

Similar  recommendatitms  have  been  made  from  year  to  year.     lu 


98  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1887  it  was  ordered  that  this  journal  be  enlarged,  and  that  the  sub- 
scription price  be  fixed  at  $1.     (P.  229). 

210.    Women  as  missionaries. 

1873,  p.  365.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  advised 
to  consider  carefully,  in  the  light  of  the  Scriptures  and  of  missionary 
enterprise,  the  propriety  of  engaging,  to  a  larger  extent,  pious  women, 
in  the  distinct  character  of  missionaries  in  the  service  of  the  Church, 
and  make  report  of  their  views  to  the  next  General  Assembl}'. 

In  the  twelve  months  following  the  adoption  of  this  resolution,  five 
females  were  sent  out  to  foreign  lands  as  missionaries.  (1874,  p. 
548.) 

211.    Women's  Missionary  Societies. 

1875,  p.  37.  This  Assembly  calls  attention  to  the  remarkable  fact 
that  the  gifts  of  our  Sabbath-schools  and  the  "Women's  Missionary 
Associations,"  during  the  }^ear  past,  amount  to  one-third  of  the  entire 
sum  furnished  by  the  regular  contributions  of  the  churches.  And  in 
view  of  this  fact,  the  churches  are  urged  to  a  large  increase  of  these 
associations. 

1878,  p.  619.  Congregations  are  exhorted  to  encourage  the  forma- 
tion of  Ladies'  Missionary  Societies,  wherever  they  do  not  already  exist, 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  for  the  cause  of  Foreign  Missions. 

1877,  p.  419.  Resolved,  That  while  the  Assembly  rejoices  in  the 
rapid  multiplication  of  Ladies'  Missionary  Societies,  and  would  not  by 
any  means  discourage  their  increase,  yet  a  tendency  manifested  by  some 
churches,  to  have  the  ladies  contribute  alone,  or  to  appear  as  the  only 
contributors  of  the  church,  would  seem  to  be  attended  with  the  evil  ef- 
fect of  a  failure  to  cultivate  that  spirit  of  benevolent  liberahty  in  all 
the  members  of  the  church  which  is  inculcated  in  the  gospel. 

212.    Dayofprai/erforJfissioiis. 

1880,  p.  206.  The  Assembly  recommends  that  the  last  Wednesday 
of  October  bs  observed  as  a  day  of  prayer  for  the  continuance  and  in- 
crease of  the  success  of  our  mission  work ;  and  that  as  a  Church  we 
may  be  enabled  with  cheerful  zeal  to  meet  the  fresh  demands  which 
the  providence  of  God  now  makes  upon  our  fidehty,  in  order  that  we 
may  share  more  largely  than  ever  in  the  work  which  is  the  crowning 
duty  and  crowning  glory  of  the  Church,  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  world. 

213.  Pastors  required  to  preach  on  the  subject  of  Missions.^ 

1877,  p.  418.  Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  the  Presbyteries 
to  require  each  pastor  and  stated  supply,  at  the  commencement  of 
every  ecclesiastical  year,  to  preach  an  instructive,  faithful  sermon  on 
the  great  duty  of  sending  the  gosjjel  to  the  unevangehzed  nations  of 
the  earth. 

1884,  p.  212.  This  Assembly  urges  upon  our  ministers  that  at  least 
once  a  year  they  preach  on  Foreign  Missions,  and  that  in  the  conduct 
of  public  worship  they  fail  not  to  remember  in  the  jirayers  then  offered 
a  cause  which  lies  so  near  the  Saviour's  heart,  and  upon  which  the 
Divine  blessing  is  so  much  and  so  constantly  needed.  (See  also  1878, 
p.  619.) 


Secs.  214-218.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitech.  99 

214.  Evening  session  of  the  Assembly  in  the  interest  of  Missions. 

1867,  p.  138.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  hold  an  evening  session 
on  Monday  next,  commencing  at  aexen  o'clock,  at  which  time  the  inter- 
ests of  the  foreign  missionary  enterprise  shall  be  the  special  topic  of 
discussion. 

This  precedent  has  been  annually  observed  ever  since  thus  instituted. 

215.  Foreign  Missions  and  the  /Sabbath-school. 

1868,  p.  276.  Resolved,  That  the  superintendents  and  teachers  of 
GUI'  Sabbath-schools,  in  co-operation  with  the  pastors,  be  lu'ged  to  bring 
the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions  before  their  respective  schools  and 
classes  frequently,  and  to  invite  regular  monthly  offerings  for  this 
cause.    (See  also  1873,  p.  314;  1875,  p.  37;  1867,  p.  138;  et passim.) 

21().  Missionary  interest  in  the  seminaries. 

1884,  p.  212.  This  Assembly  recommends  to  the  faculties  of  our 
theological  seminaries  that  in  some  way  they  seek  to  beget  and  foster 
among  the  students  a  lively  interest  in  Foreign  Missions. 

Eeport  of  the  Executive  Committee  for  1885  says :  The  missionary 
interest  in  the  theological  seminaries  has  been  reported  as  excellent. 

217.  3fissionary  meetings  at  Presbytery. 

1882,  p.  546.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  advise  the 
Presbyteries  to  devote  one  evening  diu'ing  the  spring  sessions,  or  such 
other  hoiu"  as  may  be  convenient,  to  the  general  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject of  Foreign  Missions,  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation  among 
whom  they  meet,  and  that  during  the  fall  sessions  a  similar  meeting 
be  held  in  the  interest  of  Home  Missions. 

218.    Contributions  to  sjjecial  objects. 

1884,  p.  262.  Extract  from  the  executive  committee's  report : 
Letters  are  received  from  Sabbath  schools,  from  missionary  societies, 
and  sometimes  from  churches,  proposing  that  they  shall  contribute  to 
some  special  object,  and  asking  that  an  object  be  designated  for  them. 
Now,  the  position  which  this  committee  has  held  in  this  matter  is  well 
known.  It  has  seemed  to  them  desirable  that  with  all  our  people, 
great  and  small,  an  interest  and  a  liberality  should  be  shown  towards 
all  parts  of  our  mission  work.  It  could  be  wished  that  every  object 
which  om*  Chm-ch  has  in  hand  for  the  extension  of  the  Eedeemer's 
kingdom  among  the  heathen  should  be  to  om'  people  a  special  object. 
At  the  same  time  it  is  apparent  that  there  is  a  desire  in  many  quarters 
that  special  objects  shall  be  assigned.  The  fact,  too,  is  recognized 
that  the  energies  of  some  will  be  better  called  forth  if  they  are  directed 
to  one  particular  object.  And  now,  in  riew  of  the  repeated  requests 
which  are  made  for  special  objects,  the  committee  has  determined  to 
accede  to  these  requests  as  far  as  possible,  and  would  inform  the  As- 
sembly and  the  Church  that  our  missionaries  in  each  field  have  been 
requested  to  fiuiiish  a  hst  of  all  the  objects  in  their  field  to  which  the 
money  of  our  Chm-ch  goes;  and  when  these  hsts  are  received  the 
committee  will  be  prejjared  to  gratify  all  those  who  wish  a  special  ob- 
ject. 


100  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

219.  Statistical  reports  from  the  foreign  field. 

1883,  p.  32.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  New 
Orleans,  the  General  Assembly  instructs  our  foreign  missionaries  in 
their  respective  fields  of  labor  to  furnish  annual  statistical  reports  of 
the  churches,  officers,  and  members  under  their  care  :  also  of  baptisms, 
Sabbath-schools,  and  contributions  to  the  various  objects  of  benevo- 
lence, corresponding  to  the  statistical  reports  of  our  churches  at  home, 
which  should  be  printed  opposite  their  names  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

This  action  is  found  also,  in  substantially  the  same  words,  on  page  40 
and  page  61,  Minutes  of  1883. 

220.    Co-operation  in  the  foreign  field 

1881,  p.  361.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  empower  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  to  conduct  such  correspondence 
with  missionaries  and  missionary  committees  and  boards  as  may  be 
necessary  to  ascertain  if  it  be  desirable  for  us,  and  if  so,  the  best  prac- 
ticable method  of  carrying  out  the  scheme  of  co-operation  between  the 
missionaries  of  the  "Eeformed  Churches"  in  the  foreign  field  sug- 
gested by  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council,  and  report  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly. 

1884,  p.  213.  This  Assembly  directs  that,  inasmuch  as  the  execu- 
tive committee  has  been  authorized  to  conduct  a  coiTespondence  rela- 
tive to  co-operation  in  the  foreign  field  and  has  reported  progress,  the 
committee  keep  the  matter  in  charge,  with  the  hope  that,  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  the  way  may  be  open  for  the  formation  of  one  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  each  mission  field. 

1886,  p.  75.  Extract  from  report  of  the  executive  committee  : 
Five  years  ago  the  Assembly  empowered  this  committee  to  conduct 
correspondence  with  the  missit)uaries  and  missionary  committees  and 
boards,  to  ascertain  the  best  practical  method  of  attaining  co-operation 
between  Presbyterian  missionaries  in  the  foreign  field.  In  this  corres- 
pondence the  committee  stated  to  the  sister  churches  and  theii*  mis- 
sionaries that  the  prevailing  view  in  our  own  Church  favored  the  me- 
thod of  having  the  Presbyteries  on  mission  ground  composed  exclu- 
sively of  native  presbyters,  the  missionaries  holding  only  advisory  rela- 
tions to  the  Presbytery.  It  appears  that  the  method  thus  advanced 
has  met  with  increasing  favoi'  among  those  who  seek  for  a  satisfactoiy 
basis  of  co-operation. 

221.   The  Manual  for  Foreign  Missions. 

1877,  p.  418.  The  Manual  submitted  for  the  action  of  the  Assembly, 
designed  for  the  use  of  the  missionaries  and  missionar}'  candidates,  has 
engaged  the  careful  attention  of  yoiu-  standing  committee  also,  and  is 
commended  to  the  approval  and  adoption  of  the  Assembly.     Adopted. 

The  following  is  the  Manual : 

The  Executive  Committee. 

The  officers  and  executive  coiimiittee  are  api^oiutecl  annunlly  by  tlie  General  As- 
sembly, ami  are  responsible  to  the  same  for  all  their  acts  and  procc'eclinfj;s  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  ^rcat  cntoiprise.  The  (•omniitteo,  in  virtue  of  the  authority 
conferred  iipou  thcni  by  th<>  (icncral  Assembly,  directs  and  superintends  the  mis- 
sionary work  in  all  its  departments,  l)nt  exercises  no  ecclesiastical  fnncticms.  It 
may,  however,  give  friendly  advi<!e  to  missionaries  in  relation  to  church  matters 


Sec.  221.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  101 

wlieu  requested  to  do  so.  It  appoints  missionaries  and  assistant  missionaries;  de- 
signates their  tields  of  labor;  tixes  tlieir  salaries;  determines  tlieir  partitmlar  em- 
ployments; and  may  transfer  a  missionary  from  one  department  of  labt)r  to  another, 
having  dne  regard,  however,  to  the  views  and  feelings  of  the  missionary  himself  in 
all  these  matters.  The  committee  may  recall  a  missionary  for  incompetence,  for 
neglect  of  duty,  for  disobedience  to  instructions,  or  for  disorderly  conduct.  The 
missionary,  however,  in  case  he  feels  aggrieved,  has  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Gen- 
eral Asseml)ly,  to  which  the  missionary  and  the  executive  committee  are  alike  re- 
sjionsible. 

MlSSIOXAltlES. 

A  missionary  is  regarded  in  the  light  of  an  evangelist,  in  the  scrijitural  sense  of 
the  term.  He  receives  ordination  as  snch  from  his  Presbytery,  and  retains  his 
ecclesiastical  connection  with  that  Presbyter}-,  though  laboring  in  a  foreign  land. 
So  far,  however,  as  his  work  in  the  foreign  field  is  concerned,  he  is  a  missionary  of 
the  Gen(>ral  Assembly,  and  acts  under  the  general  direction  of  the  Executive  ("om- 
mittee  of  Foreign  Missions.  His  business  is  to  preach  the  gospel ;  to  found  churches ; 
to  aid  ill  forming  Presbyteries  when  the  native  churches  are  prepared  for  such ;  to 
translate  the  Word  of  God,  if  necessarj' ;  to  train  native  preachers,  and  to  do  what- 
ever else  maj-  be  necessary  to  the  promotion  of  evangelical  religion.  He  shall  not 
become  the  settled  pastor  of  a  church,  biit  shall  establish  native  pastorates  over  all 
snch  churches  as  soon  as  suitable  persons  can  be  found,  whilst  he  himself  shall  go 
on  founding  new  churches  wherever  God's  providence  may  make  it  proper  to  do  so. 
He  may  advise  a  church  session,  or  may  preside  at  its  meetings  when  requested  to 
do  so,  but  ho  shall  not  have  an  authoritative  voice  in  any  of  its  jiroceedings.  So 
he  may  aid  in  establishing  a  Presbytery,  when  the  native  churches  are  prepared  for 
it;  he  may,  upon  invitation,  sit  as  a  corresponding  member  in  the  Presbytery  and 
give  advice ;  but  he  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  member,  or  to  exercise  any  of  the 
rights  of  one,  but  retains  his  connection  with  his  Presbj'tery  at  home. 

Assistant  MissioxAraEs. 
This  term  is  indifferently  apjilied  to  laymen  sent  out  as  teachers;  to  missionary 
pliysicians;  to  immarried  ladies,  and  to  the  wives  of  missionaries.  The  labor  of 
these  different  classes,  with  the  exception  of  that  of  the  wives  of  missionaries,  is 
prosecuted  under  the  general  dii'ection  of  the  Mission,  whose  powers  are  defined 
hereinafter.  The  wives  of  missionaries,  being  provided  with  outfit  and  other  gen- 
eral expenses,  are  expected  to  do  what  they  can  to  promote  the  general  work,  but 
in  view  of  their  necessary  domestic  cares,  their  labors  must  be  of  a  voluntary  and 
somewhat  desultory  character. 

The  Mission. 
At  every  central  station  there  is  a  mission,  technically  so-called—  a  sub-commit- 
tee— acting  in  direct  and  constant  commTinication  with  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Missions.  It  is  composed  of  all  the  missionaries  and  male  assistant  missionaries  of 
the  different  stations.  No  native  can  be  a  member  of  it,  except  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  executive  eomuiitttee,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  mission.  All 
members  of  tho^  mission  are  expected  to  correspond  freely  with  the  Home  otiice, 
but  in  relation  to  business  matters,  such  as  appropriation  of  funds,  the  establish- 
ment of  schools,  the  formation  of  new  stations,  the  return  of  missionaries  and  the 
like,  the  correspondence  shall  be  between  the  mission  as  such  and  the  executive 
committee.  The  mission  shall  be  organized  with  chairman,  secretary  and  treasurer, 
and  shall  transact  its  business  according  to  the  ordinary  rules  of  all  organized 
bodies  of  the  kind.  It  shall  meet  once  a  year,  or  oftencr  if  necessary,  at  the  call 
of  the  chairman,  and  shall  keep  a  full  and  regular  record  of  its  iiroceediugs ;  any 
portion  of  which  may  be  reviewed  by  the  executive  committee,  when  they  shall 
deem  it  necessary,  or  when  requested  to  do  so  by  any  member  of  the  mission.  The 
mission  at  its  regular  meetings  shall  designate  the  particular  W(U-k  of  each  mis- 
sionary laborer,  provided  this  has  not  been  previously  done  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee, and  shall  send  up  at  the  close  of  each  year  a  report  of  the  condition  of  the 
whole  work.  All  appropriations  are  made  through  the  mission,  its  treasurer  being 
the  recipient  and  custodian  of  the  same.  The  mission  shall  send  up  before  the  end 
of  each  year  a  carefully  prepared  schedule  of  all  the  funds  that  will  be  needed  the 
ensuing  year,  for  salaries,  for  the  sujiport  of  si'hools,  for  expenses  of  I'olpin'teurs,  for 
native  teachers,  and  f^r  whatever  else  may  be  necessary  to  the  iiroiuotion  of  the 
general  work.  Each  item  shall  be  accompanied  with  reasons  for  and  explanations 
of  the  same.  These  applications  should  be  so  complete  and  full  as  to  preclude  the 
necessity  for  special  appeals,  either  by  the  mLssion  or  any  member  of  it,  to  churches, 


102  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Sabbath-schools,  or  ladies'  missionary  associations  in  this  conntry.  Special  ap- 
peals, which  may  sometimes  be  proper,  can  be  judiciously  made  only  by  the  execu- 
tive committee,  who  are  supposed  to  be  best  acquainted  with  the  condition  and 
circumstances  of  the  chnrches,  as  well  as  the  condition  and  wants  of  the  whole 
missionary  field.  The  committee  are  always  disjiosed  to  make  the  most  liberal 
grants,  bnt  when  the  exigencies  of  the  treast;ry  or  their  own  judgment  make  re- 
trenchment necessary,  it  always  falls  on  those  items  the  omission  of  which,  it  is 
supposed,  will  be  the  least  harmful  to  the  general  work. 

Qualifications  foe  the  Missionaey  Woke. 
As  a  general  thing,  the  same  qualilications  which  will  render  a  minister  useful  in 
the  home  lield,  Adll  make  him  equally  so  in  the  foreign.  One  who  does  not  pro- 
mise to  be  useful  and  efhcient  at  home  ought  not  for  a  moment  to  think  of  going 
abroad.  The  missionarj'  oiight  to  have  an  unimpaired  physical  constitution,  good 
intellectual  training;  a  reasonable  facility  for  acqi;iring  language;  a  sound  judg- 
ment of  men  and  things;  versatility  of  gifts,  tact  and  adaptation  to  men  of  all 
classes  and  circumstances ;  a  cheerf ^^l,  hopeful  spirit ;  ability  to  work  harmoniously 
with  others ;  persistent  energy  in  carrying  out  plans  once  formed ;  consecrated  com- 
mon sense;  all  controlled  by  a  single-hearted,  self -sacrificing  devotion  to  Christ 
and  his  cause.  These  qualilications  are  equally  necessary  for  all  classes  of  mis- 
sionai'y  laborers.  Persons  of  delicate  but  pure  physical  constitution  may  live  longer 
and  enjoy  better  health  in  some  of  the  missionary  tields  than  at  home.  No  one  who 
has  made  creditable  progress  in  acquiring  the  Latin,  Greek  or  Hebrew  languages 
needs  to  fear  about  mastering  any  of  the  foreign  living  languages. 

Appoiktmekt  of  Missionaeies  akd  Assistant  Missionaeies. 

In  making  application  for  appointment,  in  the  case  of  those  who  are  ministers 
or  expect  to  become  such,  a  full  written  statement  should  be  made  of  the  age  of 
the  apjjlicaut,  his  health,  his  capacity  for  acquiring  language,  his  expectation  of 
going  single  or  married,  whether  he  has  dependent  relatives,  his  preference,  if 
any,  for  any  particular  Held  of  labor,  the  reasons  which  have  influenced  him  to 
wish  to  engage  in  the  work,  and  whatever  else  it  may  be  important  for  the  com- 
mittee to  know.  Every  such  application  ought  to  be  accompanied  Avith  a  testimo- 
nial from  one  or  more  of  the  professors  of  the  seminary  where  he  has  studied,  as 
•to  his  fitness  for  the  work.  A  similar  testimonial,  when  practicable,  should  be  ob- 
tained from  his  Presbytery. 

As  to  laymen,  missionary  i^hysicians,  and  unmarried  women,  information  is 
needed  regarding  their  piety,  prudence,  good  sense,  energy,  health,  zeal  in  work- 
ing for  Christ  at  home,  and  probable  adaptation  to  a  foreign  climate.  This  infor- 
mation should  be  communicated  by  the  ai:)plicant  and  be  confirmed  by  testimony 
from  the  church  session  to  which  he  belongs;  or  from  any  well-known  minister  in 
the  Church.  In  the  case  of  medical  missionaries,  satisfactory  testimonials  should 
be  furnished  of  their  professional  skill.  The  offer  of  those  who  are  to  become  the 
wives  of  missionaries  is  usually  made  by  their  intended  husbands.  The  appoint- 
ment of  a  missionary  is  for  life,  if  God  so  will.  This  purpose,  however,  cannot 
always  be  carried  out,  as  will  more  fully  appear  in  another  section. 

As  a  general  thing  it  is  desirable  for  young  men  in  theological  seminaries  who 
■wish  to  engage  in  the  missionary  work,  to  make  application  at  the  end  of  the 
second  or  at  the  beginning  of  the  third  year  of  their  course.  It  is  important  to  the 
committee  to  know  what  force  will  be  at  their  command  at  least  one  year  in  ad- 
vance. It  is  not  necessary  to  designate  the  field  in  which  the  missionary  is  to  labor, 
or  the  time  of  his  departure  when  his  aijpointmcnt  is  made.  These  details  are 
frequently  left  to  be  settled  by  correspondence  with  the  office.  No  one  is  ever  ap- 
pointed to  the  work  without  a  personal  acquaiutance  with  one  of  the  secretaries,  or 
unless  he  is  well  known  to  some  member  of  the  executive  conmiittee.  It  is  desir- 
able, when  practicable,  that  every  missionary  should  become  acquainted  with  the 
executive  committee  before  he  leaves  this  country. 

Outfit,  Travelling  Expenses,  Etc. 
It  is  necessary,  when  not  otherwise  i^rovided  for,  that  every  missionarj'  should 
have  an  oiitlit  of  clothing,  books,  medicines,  and  furniture.  The  amount  required 
is  less  now  than  it  was  in  former  years,  in  vi(nv  of  the  two-fold  fact  that  the  voyage 
does  not  take  more  than  oue-fourth  of  the  time  than  foimeily;  and  that  clothing, 
furniture,  medicines,  etc.,  can  be  as  easily  and  as  cheaply  purchased  in  most  for- 
eign countries  as  at  home.  The  usual  api^ropriatiou  for  a  married  couple  is  f'GOO ; 
for  a  single  man  or  woman,  f|300.     The  allowance  for  one  going  to  the  Indian 


Sec.  221.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  103 

country  and  Mexico  is  less.  Sometimes  tlae  outfit  is  provided  for  a  missionai-j'  by 
his  friends,  or  by  the  members  of  some  particular  church.  If  the  amount  given 
for  this  purpose  is  reported  to  the  treasiirer  as  a  contribution  to  the  cause  of  Mis- 
sions, and  is  expected  to  api^ear  in  his  accounts,  the  amount  will  be  charged  to  the 
account  of  outfit.  The  travelling  expenses  of  a  missionary  from  his  home  to  the 
place  of  embarkation  is  always  considered  a  part  of  his  travelling  expenses  to  his 
field  of  labor. 

SUPPOKT  OF  MiSSIONAEIES. 

The  salary  allowed  a  missionary  is  not  regarded  in  the  light  of  compensation  for 
services  rendered.  The  Chiirch,  in  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  aims  simply  to 
enable  the  missionary  to  carry  out  with  efficiency  the  desires  of  his  own  heart  to 
preach  the  gosijel  to  the  unevangelized  nations  of  the  earth.  She  proposes,  there- 
fore, to  give  him  what  may  be  regarded  a  comfortable  but  economical  supi^ort— 
such  a  supijort  as  will  free  him  from  all  anxious  cares  aboiit  his  temporal  comfort, 
and  enable  him  to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Ihe  amount  of 
salarj'  varies  in  difi'ereut  countries,  according  to  the  less  or  greater  expense  of  liv- 
ing, and  is  always  determined  by  the  statements  and  representations  made  Ijy  the 
missionaries  on  the  ground,  and  is  liable  to  change  whenever  circumstances  make 
it  necessary.  Usually  a  house  is  furnished,  or  rent  is  paid  for  one,  in  addition  to 
the  ordinary  salary.  A  married  man  is  allowed  a  larger  salary  than  a  single  man 
or  an  unmarried  woman,  and  a  specific  allowance  is  made  for  every  child  under 
sixteen  years  of  age.  The  salary  in  every  case  begins  on  the  arrival  of  the  mis- 
sionary at  his  station  aud  ends  when  he  leaves  it  to  return  home,  or  when  his  con- 
nection with  the  committee  terminates.  To  a  missionary  remaining  at  his  post 
whilst  his  family  returns  to  this  country,  the  same  salary  is  given  as  to  an  immar- 
ried  man.  No  missionaiy  is  allowed  to  combine  with  his  ordinary  missionary  work 
any  secular  engagement  jdelding  pecuniary  profit  withoiit  the  concurrence  of  the 
mission,  and  any  profits  arising  from  such  secular  employment  are  to  be  turned  over 
to  the  missionary  treasiiry,  inasmuch  as  the  person  is  receiving  full  support  from 
the  committee.  Any  funds  given  by  friends  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mission, 
or  elsewhere,  for  any  particular  purpose  connected  with  that  mission,  and  when  it 
is  not  iutended  that  such  funds  should  be  acknowledged  as  mission  funds,  the  mis- 
sion has  the  right  to  apjily  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  donors.  By  the  ac- 
tion of  the  committee  approved  by  the  General  Assembly,  all  married  missionaries 
in  sound  health  are  placed  on  the  Belief  fund,  so  that  if  they  die  in  the  missionary 
service  their  families  will  be  entitled  to  $^400  annuallj'  for  six  consecutive  years. 

ReTUKN  of  MiSSIOXARrES. 

The  missionary  enters  upon  his  work  as  a  life  service,  if  such  be  the  will  of  God. 
This  does  not  preclude  the  idea  of  a  temporary  return  to  his  native  country  when 
failing  health,  the  exigencies  of  his  family,  or  other  causes  make  it  necessary.  As 
a  general  thing,  it  is  perha^js  desirable  for  a  missionary  to  return  to  his  native  land 
in  ten  or  twelve  years  from  the  time  he  goes  out,  even  when  failing  health  or  other 
providential  caiises  do  not  make  it  necessary.  A  visit,  after  a  prolonged  period  of 
labor,  woi;ld  be  refreshing  both  to  himself  and  the  Church.  Nf)  missionary,  how- 
ever, is  expected  to  return  to  this  country  at  the  expense  of  the  missionary  treasury 
without  first  having  secured  the  concurrence  of  the  mission  aud  the  approval  of  the 
committee.  In  certain  providential  emergencies,  when  there  is  not  time  to  wait  for 
the  action  of  the  committee,  the  mission  has  the  authority  to  grant  permission  and 
also  to  furnish  the  means  necessary  to  pay  his  travelling  expenses  home  by  the  ordi- 
narj'  route  of  travel.  While  in  this  country,  aud  expecting  to  return  to  his  field  of 
labor,  a  home  allowance  is  ordinarily  made  of  if-'700  for  a  man  and  his  wife,  !*-iOO 
for  a  single  man,  and  *3oU  for  an  uiuiiarriod  woman  or  the  wife  of  a  missionary. 
These  amounts  may  be  sujjplemented  by  sjjccial  grants  if  necessary.  The  commit- 
tee also  defrays  the  travelling  expenses  of  missionaries  in  this  country  wliile  visiting 
churches  and  ecclesiastical  bodies  at  its  request.  Their  travelling  exisenscs  back  to 
their  fields  of  labor  are  also  paid  by  the  mission  treasury.  In  the  event  of  with- 
drawal from  the  missionary  service,  for  reasons  that  may  be  considered  sufficient, 
the  committee  may,  if  the  case  seems  to  demand  it,  make  a  tempor.ary  giant  for 
such  person;  after  which,  the  missionary,  if  incapable  of  further  active  service, 
will  have  the  right  to  draw,  like  any  other  invalid  minister,  u])on  the  ordinary 
funds  i)rovided  by  the  Church  for  such. 

Childrex  of  Missioxauies. 
In  most  of  the  foreign  fields,  the  sum  of  §,75  is  allowed  for  every  child,  in  addi- 
tion   to   the   ordinary  salary  of  a  married  man,   aud    this   amoimt    is   continued 


104  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

"whether  the  child  remains  with  its  parents  iu  the  foreign  liehl,  or  is  sent  to  this 
country  for  education,  until  it  is  sixteen  years  of  age.  If  the  father  dies  in  the 
missionary  work,  the  allowance  is  continued  until  the  child  reaches  the  si^ecihed 
age.     But  if  he  withdraws  from  the  service  the  allowance  ceases. 

222.    Treasurer's  bond. 

1864,  Y>-  266.  JR,<'solved,  That  the  treasurer  be  required  to  give  a 
bond  of  $10,000,  and  that  an  auditing  committee  be  appointed  by  the 
Assembly,  who  shall  not  be  members  of  the  executive  committee. 

223.  Seeretarifs  sajury. 

1861,  p.  16.  The  salary  of  officers  was  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
executive  committee.     (1885,  p.  418). 

1884,  p.  213.  The  salary  of  the  assistant  (contemplated  in  a  previous 
action)  shall  be  fixed  by  the  executive  committee,  provided  it  be  not 
more  than  $2,000. 

224.  The  foreign  evangelist,  his  ecclesiastical  character  and 

powers. 

See  section  on  Hangchow  Presbytery. 

1879,  p.  27.  An  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon,  and  one 
also  from  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  in  regard  to  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  G.  W.  Painter  by  Eev.  J.  L.  Stuart. 

The  main  facts  iu  the  case  were  as  follows : 

Mr.  Painter,  candidate  under  the  care  of  Abingdon  Presb\i;ery,  and 
for  some  years  a  teacher  in  connection  with  the  mission  in  China,  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  in  that  country  by  the  Rev.  J. 
L.  Stuart,  an  evangelist  and  missionary  of  the  Presbyterian  Chvirch  in 
the  United  States,  and  a  minister  of  the  Presbyteiy  of  Louisville. 

There  are  two  questions  proposed  to  the  General  Assembly,  viz : 

1.  Is  the  action  of  Mr.  Stuart  in  ordaining  Mr.  Painter  valid  ?  2.  If 
so,  to  which  Presbytery — Louisville  or  Abingdon — does  Mr.  Painter 
belong  ? 

Answer  to  these  overtures  : 

1.  The  ordination  of  G.  W.  Painter  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Stuart,  both  of  the 
mission  in  China,  is  hereby  declared  to  be  valid. 

2.  Inasmuch  as  Mr.  Painter  was  a  candidate  at  the  time  of  his  ordi- 
nation, under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon,  he  is  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  a  member  of  that  Presbvterv. 

3.  Rev.  Drs.  J.  A.  Lefe^Te,  J.  L.  VViison,  T.  E.  Peck  and  J.  B.  Adger 
are  hereby  appointed  a  committee  to  repoit  on  the  whole  subject  of  the 
office  and  powers  of  the  evangelist,  his  relation  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly and  the  Preslivtery  at  home,  his  relation  to  the  Church  scattered 
among  the  heathen,  and  his  relation  to  his  f  elloAV-evangelists  in  the  same 
missionary  field;  and  said  committee  shall  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly,  by  a  proposed  additional  chapter  to  om-  Form  of  Govern- 
ment or  otherwise. 

1880,  p.  200.  This  committee?  reported  progress  and  was  continued. 
Drs.  B.  M.  Palmer,  James  AVoudrow,  and  Stuart  Robinson  were  added 
to  the  committee,  and  Dr.  Palmer  made  its  chairman. 

1881,  p.  387.  This  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted : 


Sec.  224.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitbch.  105 

The  Committee  ou  the  Office  and  rowers  of  the  Evanj^elist,  apijomted  in  1879  by 
the  Assembly  at  Louisville,  ami  which  was  enlarged  and  continued  in  1880  l)y  the 
Assembly  at  Charleston,  find  their  instructions  in  the  resolutions  under  which  they 
were  apjwinted,  which  are:  "To  report  on  the  whole  suljject  of  the  office  and 
powers  of  the  evangelist,  his  relation  to  the  General  Assembly  and  the  Presbytery 
at  home,  his  relation  to  the  Church  gathered  among  the  heathen,  and  his  relation 
to  his  fellow-evangelists  in  the  same  missionai-y  field ;  and  said  committee  shall  re- 
jjort  to  the  next  General  Assembly  by  a  proposed  additional  chapter  to  oiir  Form 
of  Government,  or  otherwise. "     (Minutes  of  Assembly  for  187',l,  p.  28.) 

After  careful  consideration  of  the  whole  subject,  it  does  not  ajjpear  to  your  com- 
mittee to  be  ue(tessary  to  add  a  new  chapter  to  the  Form  of  Government,  for  the 
reason  that  the  doctrine  of  the  evangelist  is  set  forth  with  sufficient  ch-arness  in 
Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  XL,  Arts.  I.  and  VII.  Nothing  is  required  but  the  api)lication  of 
the  general  principle  to  the  conci-ete  case  of  the  evangelist  at  home  or  abroad, 
which  can  be  dtme  in  a  declarative  paper  without  importing  into  the  organic  law 
details  of  legislation  upon  which  there  may  be  more  or  less  diversity  of  opinion  in 
the  Church-  The  committee  therefore  avail  themselves  of  the  discretion  with  which 
they  are  indulged,  and  submit  their  conclusions  in  a  form  to  be  adopted  by  the  As- 
sembly, if  it  sees  fit,  as  simply  interpretative  of  the  law  which  already  exists. 

The  office  and  poicers  of  the  evangelist. 
The  only  feature  that  distinguishes  the  evangelist  from  the  ordinary  ' '  minister 
of  the  Word "  is, "  that  he  labors  to  plant  the  gospel  and  the  institutions  of  the 
Church  in  places  where  they  do  not  exist.  When  his  field  lies  within  the  territory 
of  the  (-'hurch  as  already  organized,  his  i)owei*s  are  circumscribed  within  those  of 
the  court  having  jurisdiction  over  the  same.  As  the  Form  of  Government  (Chap. 
v..  Sec.  IV.,  .\rt.  VI.,  and  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  I.)  assigns  the  jwwer  of  form- 
ing new  churches  and  of  ordaining  to  office  to  a  court,  these  extraordinary  func- 
tions of  the  evangelist  can  be  exercised  only  when  exjiressly  delegated  by  the  coui"t 
to  him  as  their  agent.  When  his  field  lies  beyond  the  territory  which  the  Church 
occujiies,  his  powers  are  necessarily  enlarged.  There  being  no  ct)urt  to  discharge 
these  functions,  the  constitution  recognizes  as  inhering  in  his  office  all  the  powei-s 
that  are  necessary  to  constitute  the  Chiirch.  He  may  organize  churches  and  ordain 
to  all  the  offices  recpiired  to  make  them  complete;  and  also,  with  a  view  to  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Church,  he  has  the  power  to  ordain  other  evangelists,  both  natives 
and  foreigners,  provided  that  the  latter  be  not  under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Presby- 
tery at  home,  in  whic-h  case  the  concurrence  of  said  Presbytery  shall  first  be  ob- 
tained. As  soon,  however,  as  a  court  is  created,  even  the  lowest,  his  extraordinary 
powers  cease  within  its  jurisdiction,  and  can  be  resumed  only  in  the  region  that  is 
beyond ;  the  guiding  principle  being,  that  the  powers  of  an  evangelist  cannot  su- 
persede nor  impair  those  which  ^lertain  to  a  court,  either  at  home  or  abroad. 

TIic  eviinrjelisfs  relation  to  the  General  Assembly  and  the  Presbytery  at  home. 

The  evangelist  is  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  he  belongs,  in  the  same 
sense  with  every  other  "minister  of  the  Word,"  with  the  same  rights  and  privileges, 
•equally  amenable  to  its  discijiline,  and  sustains,  through  the  Presbytery,  i)recisely 
the  same  relation  to  the  Church  at  large;  but  as  the  foreign  missionary  issnjjported 
by  the  whole  Church,  and  as  the  Form  of  Government  (Chap.  V.,  Sec.  VI.,  Art.  V.) 
vests  in  the  General  Assembly  the  power  "to  institute  and  superintend  the  agencies 
necessary  in  the  general  work  of  evangelization,"  the  mimediate  direction  and  con- 
trol of  his  labors  is  remitted  by  the  particular  Prcfsbyteries  to  the  Assembly,  as  the 
Presbytery  which  is  ccmnnon  to  them  all.  This  control  is  exercised,  tid  interim,  by 
the  Assembly,  through  its  ExcMMitive  Committee  of  Foreign  ilissions,  as  a  commis- 
sion created  for  that  purjjose,  with  suc;h  powers  as  the  Assembly  may,  from  time  to 
time,  see  fit  to  delegate,  and  equally  responsible  with  the  evangelist  himself  to  the 
Assembly,  in  which  body  vests  the  authority  to  decide  all  questions  that  may  arise 
in  the  exercise  of  their  respective  functions. 

Upon  the  remaining  tojiics,  viz.  :  "The  evangelist's  relation  to  the  Church 
gathered  among  the  heathen, "  and  ' '  his  relation  to  his  fellow-evangelists  in  the 
same  field, "  your  committee  find  themselves,  after  two  years  of  conference,  unable 
to  agree.  It  would  be  easy  to  bring  in  two  reports  running  counter  to  each  other, 
which  would  only  involve  the  Church  in  the  absti'act  discussion  of  points  which 
must,  at  last,  find  their  practical  solution  in  the  foreign  field.  Your  committee 
can,  therefore,  agree  only  in  recommending  to  the  Assembly  to  droj^  for  the  pre- 
sent the  consideration  of  these  topics,  and  to  wait  for  their  practical  solution  in  the 
future  history  of  oiu-  missionary  operations. 


106  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1882,  p.  558.  Eev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  having  submitted  a 
memorial  with  reference  to  the  office  of  the  evangelist  m  the  foreign 
field,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

That  the.  memorial  of  the  Eev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  to  this 
Assembly  be  referred  to  a  special  committee,  with  instructions  to  pre- 
pai'e  and  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  an  additional  provision 
to  oiu-  Form  of  Government  in  relation  to  the  powers  of  the  evangehst 
in  the  foreign  field,  especially  defining  the  scope  of  those  powers, 
whether  of  an  evangehst  acting  alone  or  conjointly  with  other  evange- 
hsts,  previous  to  the  organization  of  a  classical  Presbytery. 

P.  559.  Committee  on  memorial  of  Dr.  Wilson,  as  provided  for  above: 
Dr.  H.  C.  Alexander,  Dr.  A.  W.  Pitzer,  Col.  C.  F.  CoUier.  The  me- 
morial is  as  follows  : 

"  It  is  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  that  when  a  Presbytery  ordains 
an  evangelist  to  the  foreign  mission  work,  it  clothes  him,  for  the  time 
being,  with  all  the  powers  necessary  for  planting  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  lands  where  it  has  not  heretofore  existed.  In  these  powers  is  in- 
cluded the  authority  to  organize  particular  churches,  and,  until  the 
regular  court  exists,  to  ordain  pastors  and  evangelists ;  it  being  under- 
stood that  when  there  are  two  evangelists  in  the  same  field,  these 
jDowers,  as  a  matter  of  ecclesiastical  propriety,  are  to  be  exercised 
jointly." 

P.  569.  The  following  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  was, 
together  with  the  subjoined  answer,  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the 
Memorial  of  Dr.  J.  Leighton  Wilson : 

The  General  Assembly  having  endorsed  the  recommendation  of  their 
Committee  on  the  Official  Powers  oi  the  Evangelist,  that  no  addition  is 
needed  to  the  Book  of  Church  Order  in  relation  to  this  subject  (see 
Minutes  of  Assembly,  1881,  p.  387),  the  Presbytery  object : 

1.  To  the  statement  that  no  amendment  is  needed — the  evangelist 
having  the  right  to  ordain  ministers  in  foreign  fields ;  that  the  Book  is 
held  by  many  to  hmit  the  evangelist's  power  t(j  the  ordination  of  ruling 
elders  and  deacons;  and  that  this  interpretation  of  the  Book  by  the 
General  Assembh'  is'  tantamount  to  legislation.  The  Presbytery  ap- 
l^rehends  future  trouble  and  confusion  on  this  subject,  because  the  lan- 
guage of  the  constitution  is  not  explicit. 

2.  To  the  statement  that  the  evangehst  is  not  an  ordinary  minister 
of  the  gospel. 

3.  To  the  statement  endorsed  by  the  General  Assembly,  that  the 
evangelist  is  nothing  but  a  missionary. 

This  Presbji;ery,  therefore,  very  respectfully  asks  the  Assembly  that 
the  subject  be  reconsidered. 

The  following  is  the  answer  proposed  and  referred  with  the  ovei-tiire 
t<j  the  committee:  The  action  criticised  did  not,  and  could  not,  change 
the  fundamental  law  of  the  Church  as  to  the  office  and  powers  of  the 
evangehst,  and  as  the  subject  received  the  fullest  and  most  careful 
consideration,  it  does  not  seem  wise  to  re-open  the  disciassion. 

1883,  p.  60.  Eeports  were  received  from  members  of  this  committee 
and  submitted,  whereupon  the  following  was  adopted : 

That  the  following  overture  be  sent  to  the  Presb}i;eries  for  their  ac- 
tion, viz. : 

Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  VII.,  Book  of  Church  Order,  be  so  altered  as 
that  after  the  word  "ordain''  it  shall  read  :  "to  all  the  offices  required 


Sec.  224.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  107 

to  make  them  complete ;  and  also  with  a  \iew  to  the  extension  of  the 
Church  he  has  power  in  foreign  fields  to  ordain  other  evangehsts." 

1884,  p.  251.  To  this  overture  seven  Presbyteries  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  thirty-six  in  the  negative,  and  eighteen  gave  modified  an- 
swers, showing  much  diversity  of  opinion,  but  all  agreeing  that  some 
such  provision  should  be  made. 

1884,  p.  23G.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtiu-es  reported  on 
overture  No.  85,  in  answer  to  many  overtures  in  regard  to  the  jDowers 
of  the  evangelist.  A  minority  report  was  presented.  It  was  resolved 
that  both  of  these  reports,  together  with  all  the  papers  on  this  subject 
in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  shall  be  referred 
to  a  special  committee  of  five,  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly.  This 
committee  was  apj^ointed  to  consist  of  Eev.  T.  E.  Peck,  D.  D.,  AY.  E. 
Boggs,  D.  D.,  J.  A.  Lefevre,  D.  D.,  E.  P.  Kerr,  and  Euling  Elder  John 
McLauiin. 

1885,  p.  425.  This  committee  submitted  majority  and  minority  re- 
ports.    On  this  subject  the  Assembly  adopted  the  following : 

The  General  Assembly  does  hereby  recommend  and  send  down  to 
the  Presbyteries  for  their  advice  and  consent  thereunto  the  following" 
amendment  to  the  Book  of  Church  Order,  viz. :  I'orm  of  Government, 
Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  VI.,  shall  be  amended  by  adding  to  it  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

"  When  sent  to  foreign  countries  he  may  also  be  entrusted  with  power 
by  his  Presbytery  to  ordain  ministers  of  the  gospel  as  pastors  or  as 
evangelists ;  this  grant  of  power,  however,  must  be  made  for  each  spe- 
cific case,  and  may  only  be  made  previous  to  the  organization  of  a  Pres- 
byteiy  in  the  field  where  he  labors.  The  examinations  for  ordina- 
tion shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  be  conducted  by  the  evangelist  in  the 
presence  of  his  fellow  evangelists  (if  there  be  any)  in  the  same  field. 
And  the  application  for  ordination  shall  usually  be  accGm2:)anied  by  the 
advice  in  writing  of  the  same.  The  newly  ordaineel  minister  shall  be 
enrolled  as  a  member,  and  be  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Presby- 
tery whose  commission  ordained  him." 

P.  481.  The  following  protest  was  read  anel  admitted  to  recc^rd, 
viz. : 

The  undersigned  beg  leave  to  enter  their  protest  against  the  action 
of  the  General  Assembly  in  aelopting  the  minute  ofl'ered  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Bills  and  Overtures  on  the  foreign  evangelist,  and  would 
respectfully  assign  the  following  as  the  grounds  of  this  protest, 
namely : 

1.  That  the  proposed  amendment  would  make  the  Book  of  Church 
Order  self-contradictorv.  (Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  I.;  Chap.  V.,  Sec. 
VII.,  Art.  II.,  Book  of  Church  Order.) 

2.  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  introduce  into  the  organic  law  of  the 
Chiu'ch  a  provision  which  is  universally  admitted  to  be  of  only  tem- 
porary duration. 

8.  It  is  in  opposition  to  the  iniiform  practice  of  all  other  Presbyte- 
rian churches  in  the  mission  field. 

4.  It  co-ordinates  Presbyterial  authority  with  that  of  the  other  for- 
eign evangelists,  who,  by  refusing  tt)  accede  to  the  recommendation  of 
our  foreign  evangehst,  may  prevent  the  contemplated  ordination. 

5.  The  priucijile  embodied  in  the  action  is  subversive  of  Presbyte- 
ian  polity,  and  introduces  episcopacy. 


108  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

6.  It  will  introduce  invidious  distinctions  among  the  Presbyteries, 
some  having  on  their  rolls  the  names  of  native  evangehsts  and  others 
not,  while  the  foreign  missionary  work  is  the  common  heritage  of  the 
■whole  Church. 

7.  It  renders  Presbyterial  oversight  of  the  native  evangehsts,  espe- 
cially in  cases  of  disciphne,  almost  impossible. 

8.  It  may  arouse  native  prejudice  against  the  mission  work,  as  the 
native  evangehsts  shall  become  members  of  our  Presb}i;eries. 

9.  While  our  foreign  evangehst,  and  the  native  evangehst  ordained 
by  him,  shall  possess  equal  rights  and  privileges  as  presbyters,  yet  the 
native  evangelist  can  only  have  access  to  the  Presbytery  through  the 
foreign  evangehst,  thereby  placing  the  former  at  a  great  disadvantage. 

10.  "NMiat  is  proposed  is  contrary  to  the  teachings  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment Scriptures  on  the  subject  of  ordination. 

[Signed,]  R.  S.  Campbell,  and  eight  others.  ' 

1886,  p.  57.  The  vote  of  the-  Presbyteries  on  this  overtui'e  was : 
affii'mative,  23 ;  negative,  40.     It  was  therefore  lost. 

1886,  p.  48.  A  number  of  overtures  touching  the  foreign  evangehst 
having  been  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  major- 
ity and  minority  reports  were  brought  in ;  whereupon  the  whole  matter 
was  referred  to  the  next  Assembly. 

1887,  p.  229.  Five  overtiu-es  respecting  the  foreign  evangehst  from 
the  Presbyteries  of  Chesapeake,  St.  Louis,  Tombeckbee,  Potosi,  and 
Eev.  Dr.  H.  M.  White.  The  committee  recommend  that  none  of  the 
proposed  amendments  be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  two  suf- 
ficient reasons :  (1,)  That  the  views  are  so  divergent  in  the  Church  on 
this  subject,  and  all  the  efforts  to  harmonize  them  have  so  signally 
failed  through  successive  years,  that  it  is  safe  to  conclude  no  legisla- 
tion can  be  proposed  which  will  settle  the  question;  and  (2,)  because  a 
practical  solution  has  ah'eady  been  fomid  in  the  outworking  of  our 
missionary  operations  in  heathen  lands.  The  inherent  difficulty  in  the 
case  lies  in  the  attempt  to  rule  the  Church  across  the  sea.  The  solu- 
tion is  found  in  recognizing  the  autonomy  of  the  Chvnch  as  a  free 
Christian  commonwealth,  and  investing  it  with  the  power  of  self-gov- 
ernment as  soon  as  it  is  organized.     Adopted. 

225.  Mixed  Presbyteries  in  the  for eig)i  field. 

1886,  p.  87.  An  overture  from  several  ministers  and  elders  in  Brazil, 
asking  that  an  exception  be  made  in  their  case  "  to  the  enactment  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  1876,  whereby  its  foreign  evangelists  are  joro- 
hibited  from  uniting  with  mixed  Presb^^teries  in  their  respective  fields." 

Your  committee  finds  that  during  the  sessions  of  that  Assembly  a 
committee  on  the  matter  of  Hangchow  Presbytery  brought  in  a  report, 
which  urged,  among  other  things,  "  that  our  missionaries  abroad  should 
not  ordinarily  become  associated  wdtli  natives  in  the  com2)(>sition  of 
Presbyteries."  This  report,  which  is  found  in  the  Apj^endix  to  the 
Minutes  of  that  Assembly,  was  adopted,  together  with  certain  resolu- 
tions not  recorded.  On  the  next  day  that  Assembly  reconsidered  its 
action  respecting  Hangchow  Presbytery,  and  adopted  instead  a  resolu- 
tion declaring  that  it  was  unconstitutional  for  the  Assembly  to  establish 
or  dissolve  Presbyteries,  and  declaring  the  act  of  a  previous  Assembly 
void   whereby  Hangchow  Presbytery  was  formed.     In  this  reconsid- 


Secs.  226-230.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  109 

eration  of  the  case  no  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  the  fonnation  of 
mixed  Presbyteries. 

The  answer  is,  therefore,  made  to  the  overture  of  the  brethren  in 
Brazil:  The  Assembly  sees  nothing  in  the  enactments  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  1870  bearing  upon  the  question  of  mixed  Presbyteries. 
The  exception  asked  is  therefore  needless,  as  that  Assembly  did  not 
abridge  or  modify  any  right  in  this  regard  which  the  missionaries  had 
prior  to  that  time.     Adopted. 

226.   TVansferring  a  missionarij  to  a  foreign  Presbytery. 

1887,  p.  230.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  wish- 
ing a  viniform  practice  to  be  indicated  in  transferring  a  missionary  to  a 
Presbytery'  in  a  foreign  land. 

Ansirer :  No  minister  can  constitutionally  be,  at  the  same  time,  a 
member  of  two  Presbyteries.  Hence  the  transfer  to  a  foreign  Presby- 
teiy  involves  the  complete  severance  of  previous^  existing  Presb}-terial 
relations,  preciseh'  as  at  home. 

227.  Joint  Committee  for  Home  and  J^oreign  Missions. 

For  changes  in  the  location  of  the  executive  committee  and  its  sec- 
retaries, for  the  plan  of  co-ordinate  secretaries,  and  rehnquishment  of 
that  plan,  tinal  severance  between  the  departments  of  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions,  and  the  creation  of  two  separate  committees,  see  under  Home 
Missions. 

228.  Free-will  offerings. 

1886,  p.  35.  As  the  committee  is  laboring  under  the  pressure  of 
debt,  and  it  has  fiu'thermore  been  foimd  that  the  single  annual  collec- 
tion in  ^lay,  ordered  by  the  Assembly,  does  not  gather  satisfactorily 
the  full  Contributions  of  the  Church,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  be  empowered  to  make,  during  the  months  of  Octo- 
ber and  February  of  each  year,  special  appeals  for  fi'ee-will  offerings 
from  the  chm-ches  and  from  individuals,  and  that  such  appeals  shall 
not  be  made  at  other  times. 

229.  Consolidation  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  with  the 

Northern  Hoard. 

1886,  p.  36.  Upon  the  overtiu'e  from  Pahmi-a  Presbytery,  asking  a 
consohdation  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  of  oiu*  Chiu'ch  with 
the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Northern  Presb^-terian  Chiu'ch, 
we  recommend  that  it  is  not  expedient  to  take  such  action  at  this  time. 

230.  llic  secretary  and  treasurer  of  Foreign  Missions  vindicated. 

1876,  p.  8.  Dr.  J.  L.  "Wilson  also  presented  a  paper  in  behalf  of 
himself  and  the  Pev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  treasiu'er  of  Susteuta- 
tion  and  Foreign  Missions,  caUing  attention  to  ceriaui  charges  affect- 
ing their  official  character,  and  requesting  of  the  Assembly  an  imme- 
diate investigation  in  relation  to  the  same.  This  request  was  granted, 
and  the  matters  involved  were  refeiTed  for  investigation  to  a  special 
committee,  consisting  of  the  following  persons:  P.  'M.  Patton,  G.  T. 
Swann,  J.  A.  Euslow,  J.  P.  Bmgett,  D.  D.,  J.  L.  Kii-kpatrick,  D.  D. 


110  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

P.  35.  The  report  of  the  committee  of  investigation  was  taken  up, 
when  a  substitute  for  the  report  was  unanimously  adopted;  and,  upon 
motion,  the  moderator  led  the  Assembly  in  prayer  for  the  happy  result 
just  reached.     The  substitute  is  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly,  having-  received  the  report  of 
the  special  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  charges  or  com- 
plaints respecting  the  official  conduct  of  the  secretary  and  the  treas- 
urer of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Foreign  Missions  and  of  Sustenta- 
tion,  in  comphance  with  the  request  made  by  those  officers,  and  having 
received  full  and  exphcit  information  concerning  the  several  matters 
involved  in  said  charges  or  complaints,  does  not  deem  it  necessary  to 
take  any  further  action  in  the  premises  than  simply  to  declare,  as  it 
does  hereby  declare,  in  the  most  emphatic  and  unquahfied  terms,  that 
it  finds  nothing  in  any  of  the  facts  brought  to  its  view  to  shake,  but 
much  to  strengthen,  the  confidence  hitherto  reposed  in  the  tidehty  of 
the  said  officers  to  the  trusts  committed  to  them,  and  in  then*  wise, 
vigilant,  and  successful  management  thereof. 

231.  Memorial  of  liei).  G.  Nash  Morton. 

1883,  p.  23.  A  memorial  was  received  fii-om  the  Eev.  G.  Nash  Mor- 
ton, whereupon  it  was  resolved  that  a  committee  of  five,  three  of  whom 
shall  be  a  quorum,  be  appointed,  to  whom  the  matter  shall  be  referred. 
This  committee  was  subsequently  appointed,  to  consist  of  Kev.  A.  C. 
Hopkms,  D.  D.,  Rev.  H.  M.  White,  D.  D.,  Eev.  A.  W.  Pitzer,  D.  D., 
with  Euling  Elders  James  D.  Armstrong  and  James  V.  Brooke. 

1884,  p.  199.  A  report  was  presented  by  the  committee  appointed 
by  the  last  Assembly  on  a  memorial  of  the  Eev.  G.  Nash  Morton.  Also 
a  report  from  a  minority  of  said  committee,  which  papers  were  re- 
ferred to  a  special  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  J.  B.  Shearer,  G. 
L.  Petrie,  F.  L.  Leeper,  W.  C.  Bullock  and  M.  P.  Jarnagin ;  and  it 
was  ordered  that  in  the  consideration  of  this  matter  the  pri-\dleges  of 
the  floor  shall  be  allowed  to  Eev.  A.  C.  Hopkins,  who  conciured  in  the 
report  of  the  minority. 

P.  221.  This  committee  made  a  report;  a  substitute  was  offered 
by  Eev.  Dr.  Pitzer,  which  was  rejected,  and  the  report  of  the  commit- 
tee was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

1.  The  ^majority  and  minority  reports  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  last 
Assembly,  and  "to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,"  came  into  onr  hands,  together 
with  an  exhibit  of  books  and  papers  representing  many  phases  and  facts  of  this 
complex  matter.  These  reports  and  exhibits  furnish  evidence  of  great  labor  and 
patient  investigation  on  the  part  of  the  committee  of  the  last  Assembly.  Three 
members  signed  the  majority  and  two  the  minority  report.  It  is  dne  to  these  two 
reports  to  say  that  they  agree  on  many  of  the  points  raised  in  the  investigation, 
while  on  a  few  confessedly  material  points  they  reach  different  conclusions  as  to 
the  questions  of  facts  from  the  same  sources.  On  certain  other  questions  of  facts 
both  m-ijority  and  minority  confess  their  inability  to  reach  conclusions,  owing  to 
the  absence  of  certain  data. 

Had  your  special  committee  found  it  necessary  and  proper  to  review  in  detail  all 
the  matters  touched  in  these  reports,  we  would,  no  doubt,  have  found  ourselves 
surrounded  with  the  same  difficulties.  Happily,  however,  we  hnd  the  triie  solution 
of  the  <lilhcnlty  in  another  direction. 

'2.  The  memorial  of  liev.  G.  Nash  Morton  to  the  Assembly  of  1883  is  as  follows, 
to-wit : 

"The  General  Assembly  which  met  at  Atlanta  in  1882  sent  down  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  Roanoke  the  'statement'  presaatei  by  the  Esecative  Committee  of  Foreign 


Sec.  231.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  Ill 

Missions,  for  the  iuformatiou  of  said  Presbytery.  Tlie  Presbytery  declared  tliat 
'there  was  uo  evidence  of  auj'thing  dishonorable  or  immoral  in  the  conduct  of  the 
undersigned.'  But  the  Presbytery  had  no  jurisdiction  over  the  executive  commit- 
tee, nor  any  authority  to  alter  its  records.  The  uudei-signed,  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, humbly  and  respectfully  asks,  therefore,  that  the  Assembly  appoint  a  commis- 
sion to  examine  the  evidence,  and  to  record  in  the  minutes  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Foreign  Missions  the  facts  which  rebut  the  '  statements '  of  the  executive 
committee.  As  these  minutes  of  the  executive  committee,  which  are  laid  before  a 
standing  committee  of  the  General  Assembly,  belong  to  the  permanent  records  of 
the  Church,  and  go  down  to  posterity  as  history,  the  request  of  the  undersigned 
seems  to  him  to  be  only  an  act  of  simple  justice.  The  undersigned  would  further 
state  that  the  paper  presented  to  the  Assembly  at  Atlanta,  1882,  is  in  great  part  an 
extract  from  the  minutes  laid  before  the  Assembly  at  Chaileston,  in  1880.  The  un- 
dersigned and  his  family  made  repeated  efforts  to  have  access  to  these  minutes,  in 
order  to  meet  the  charges  therein  set  forth  before  the  Assembly's  standing  commit- 
tee; but  this  access  was  uniformly  refused.  The  undersigned  would  humbly  ask 
the  Assemblj'  to  take  such  action  as  will  avoid  in  the  future  the  difficulty  of  any 
missionary  knowing  what  is  his  record  before  the  Church. " 

3.  From  the  memorial  we  glean  the  following  facts,  which  are  abundantly  con- 
firmed by  the  reports  and  exhibits  in  our  hands :  In  1880,  and  again  in  1882,  there 
were  sjiread  on  the  minutes  of  the  Assembly's  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  state- 
ments thought  bj^  the  Assembly's  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  ^Missions  to  be 
damaging  to  the  reputation  of  the  memorialist.  The  Assembly  ordered  the  state- 
ment of  1882  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Presbytery  of  Koanoke,  to  which  liev.  G.  N. 
Morton  belonged,  "for  information."  Koanoke  Presbytery  made  an  investigation 
at  Jlr.  Morton's  request,  covering  the  whole  statement  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign 
Missions.  The  conclusions  reached  by  the  Presbytery  were  received  as  satisfactory 
redress  by  Mr.  Morton,  and  seem  to  be  so  referred  to  bj'  him  in  his  memorial  above 
recited. 

4.  The  memorial  contains  two  separate  requests,  the  first  of  which  is  personal  to 
himself,  praying  the  Assembly,  in  substance,  to  examine  the  evidence  and  ascertain 
the  facts  which  sustain  the  declaration  of  his  Presbytery  in  rebuttal  of  statements 
of  the  Ft)reigu  ^Missions  Committee,  and  then  to  spread  the  same  on  the  minutes  of 
the  said  c;ommittee,  with  a  view  to  the  correctness  of  history  in  these  permanent 
records.  The  other  request  of  the  memorial  is  general,  and  refers  to  certain  rights 
of  missionaries  in  the  future. 

5.  The  Presbytery  of  Eoanokc  first  took  steps  for  a  limited  investigation  of  the 
statement  of  1882,  as  is  seen  from  the  following  exhibit: 

Extract  from  ^linutes  of  Koanoke  Presbyterv.  in  session  at  Gravel  Hill  church, 
August  2.5th,  1882 : 

' '  The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  papers  in  the  case  of  Rev.  G.  Nash  ]\Ior- 
ton  was  presented  and  adopted  as  follows,  viz. :  A  document  prepared  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  For  iign  illssions  for  the  General  Assembly  at  Atlanta,  and  by  that  body 
refeiTcd  to  this  Presbytery  'for  information'  concerning  the  acts  of  He  v.  G.  Nash 
Morton,  lately  a  missionary  of  the  (icueral  Assembly  in  Brazil,  and  a  member  of 
this  Presbytery,  was  read  bj'  the  stated  clerk.  A  letter  and  memorial  from  Mr. 
Morton,  addressed  to  the  Presbytery  (but  written  before  Mr.  Morton  had  any  know- 
ledge of  the  paper  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions,  except  what  might  be 
gathered  from  the  reports  of  the  Assembly's  jproceedings),  were  also  read ;  and  it 
appearing  from  Mr.  Slorton's  letter  that  he  desires  an  investigation  of  the  matters 
contained  in  the  pa]jer  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  ilissions,  it  was  Resolved,  (1,) 
That  the  stated  cl(>rk  be  directed  to  furnish  ilr.  ]Mortt)n  with  a  copy  of  said  paper, 
and  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  empowei-ed  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  as  soon  as 
may  be  convenient  after  Mr.  Morton  shall  have  inft)rmed  him  of  his  readiness  to 
proceed  with  the  investigation.  (2, )  That  the  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  inform  the 
committee  in  Baltimore  that  the  Presbytery  will  expect  them  to  appear  at  a  time 
and  jjlace  of  which  due  notice  will  be  given,  and  fiunish  the  proofs  of  the  two  fol- 
lowing allegations,  contained  in  their  paper  laid  before  the  Asscmblj*,  to-wit  :  ('<,) 
That  Mr.  Morton  obtained  $750  from  the  treasm-er  of  'the  mission,' on  the  plea 
of  Ivnng  .about  to  return  to  the  United  States  with  his  family,  and  that  he  did  not 
return,  and  has  never  refunded,  nor  given  any  information  that  he  intended  to  re- 
fund, the  amount  thus  obtained.  (/*,)  That  Mr.  Morton  sold  for  his  own  benefit 
property  of  the  church,  of  which  he  was  notoriously,  and  by  his  own  acknowledg- 
ment, onh'  a  trustee.  (3,)  That  the  remainder  of  the  committee's  jjaper,  concern- 
ing, as  it  does,  matters  of  finance  and  administration  as  between  the  committee 


112  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

and  one  of  its  missionaries,  and  not  necessarily,  so  far  as  appears,  implying  moral 
deliuqiiencj'  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Morton,  calls  for  no  action  on  the  part  of  the  Pres- 
bytery. 
."A  true  copy:  "H.  A.  Beown, 

^^ Stated  Clerk  of  Roanoke  Presbytei'y." 

At  the  next  meeting  the  investigation  was  made  to  cover  ' '  the  whole  matter, "  as 
shown  in  extracts  as  follows : 

Extracts  from  minutes  of  RoanOke  Presbytery,  in  session  in  Danville,  April  20th 
and  23d,  1883,  viz. : 

(1.)  On  the  2Uth  "Dr.  Peck  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted, 
viz. :  '  That  whereas  the  investigation  in  the  case  of  Eev.  G.  Nash  Morton  has 
taken  a  ^^ider  range  than  the  two  points  to  which  the  Presbytery  at  its  fall  meeting 
confined  it,  the  whole  matter  be  now  thro^rtii  open  for  investigation. ' '' 

(2.)  On  the  23d,  "In  the  matter  of  Mr.  Morton,  the  Presbytery  has  jaartially 
heard  the  statements  and  papers  on  both  sides ;  and  while  very  far  from  approving 
of  Mr.  Morton's  disregard  of  the  instructions  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  For- 
eign Missions,  and  while  deprecating  the  spirit  manifested  in  his  memorial  and 
other  papers,  and  while  doubting  the  propriety  of  taking  passage  money  when  he 
did  not  expect  to  return  home  immediately,  and  while  disapproving  his  method  of 
getting  paid  a  debt  which  he  supposed  to  be  due  to  him,  yet  judge  that  there  is  no 
evidence  of  auj'thing  dishonorable  or  immoral  in  his  conduct.  They  ascribed  his 
disobedience  to  instructions,  and  unauthorized  contracting  of  debts  for  the  making 
of  improvements  upon  the  mission  property,  to  enthusiasm  in  the  prosecution  of  a 
great  enterprise. " 

6.  This  finding  of  the  Presbytery  of  Roanoke  embraces  both  the  questions  of 
fact  of  the  alleged  imputations  on  the  character  of  the  memorialist.  No  part  of  it 
can  be  challenged  in  a  constitutional  way.  It  is  not  competent  for  this  Assembly 
to  re-investigate  the  matter  as  to  mere  facts  for  the  purjiose  projDOsed.  And  were 
the  Assembly  to  start  on  such  an  investigation,  the  findings  of  the  Presbj"tery  of 
Roanoke  would  meet  us  on  the  threshold,  as  unchallenged  and  unchallengeable 
evidence,  as  to  facts  sought,  whether  we  view  these  facts  as  confirmatory  or  in  re- 
buttal of  the  statement  investigated. 

7.  The  Presbytery  of  Roanoke  also  passed  the  following  resolution  touching  the 
connection  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  with  the  matter  :  "The  Presby- 
tery further  are  of  opinion  that  the  committee  could  do  nothing  less  than  demand 
that  all  exjienditures  should  be  made  under  their  directions,  and  were  therefore 
only  acting  as  faithful  and  trustworthy  servants  of  the  Church  in  requiring  strict 
accountability  on  the  part  of  those  to  whom  they  were  furnishing  the  Church's 
money. " 

8.  While  the  Assembly  cannot  lawfully  enter  upon  the  investigation  in  the  form 
requested,  it  seems  reasonable  that  the  whole  prtjceediugs  of  Roanoke  Presbytery 
should  be  spread  upon  the  minute  book  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign 
Missions,  and  proper  notes  of  reference  be  api^ended  to  the  statements  of  1880  and 
1882,  so  as  to  complete  a  record  of  the  case,  and  the  Assembly  does  so  order. 

In  answer  fo  the  second  part  of  the  memorial :  In  case  an  executive  committee 
makes  any  record  on  its  minutes  of  any  moral  delinqiaency  of  one  of  the  mission- 
aries, whether  expressed  or  by  plain  and  necessary  implication,  the  person  inter- 
ested would  be  entitled  to  a  copy  of  the  same. 

232.  Rer.  Dr.  Woodrow. 

1872,  p.  164.  The  Staudiiij^-  Committees  on  Susteutation  and  For- 
eign Missions,  in  joint  session,  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  of  the 
Eev.  Dr.  Woodrow,  asking  that  he  might  not  be  appointed  to  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  Susteutation  and  Foreign  Missions,  report  to  the  As- 
sembly : 

1.  That  the  reason  assigned  for  this  request  by  Dr.  Woodrow,  viz.  : 
his  impaired  health,  and  the  imperative  direction  of  his  physician  that 
he  cease  from  all  labor  for  a  season,  render  it  the  duty  of  the  Assembly 
to  comply  with  tliat  request. 

2.  In  view  of  the  long  and  faithful  sei"vi(;es  of  Dr.  Woodrow,  rendered 
in  times  of  great  trial,  to  the  Chui'ch,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  fact 
that  it  is  to  this  service,  in  part,  we  miist  trace  his  impaii'ed  health,  the 


Secs.  2:^3,  2:J4.  ] 


The  AiiExciEs  of  the  Chirch.  113 


Assembly  canuot  purt  with  him  without  recording-  its  devout  thanks- 
giving to  God,  who  h:is  spared  him  in  health  to  us  so  l<jng,  and  the 
earnest  prayer  that  He  in  whose  hands  man's  life  is,  may  speedily  re- 
store him  to  perfect  health  again. 

P.  178.  At  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Dii-ectors  of  Columbia  8em- 
inar}%  Dr.  Woodrow  was  granted  leave  of  absence  for  one  year. 

238.   E(V.  Dr.  Mcllwaine. 

1882,  p.  558.  This  Assembly  does  hereby  most  cordially  recognize 
the  ability,  efficiency,  and  zeal  with  which  Rev.  Richard  IMcIlw^aine, 
D.  D  ,  has  discharged  the  duties  of  co-ordinate  secretaiy  and  treas- 
lU'er  of  F(jreign  Missions  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  that  t(j  his  fidelity 
and  patient  labcjr  are  to  be  attributed,  under  God,  a  large  measure  of 
the  success  of  this  important  department  of  Church  work. 

234.  Jier.  JJr.  Leiyhton   Wilson. 

1883,  p.  32.  He.'^olrcd,  That,  in  order  to  give  the  needed  assistance 
asked  for  by  the  secretary,  the  executive  committee  be  authorized  to 
secure  for  Dr.  Wilson  such  clerical  aid  as  to  them  may  seem  necessary-, 
at  an  expense  not  exceeding  $1,200. 

1881,  p.  213.  In  response  to  the  communication  from  Dr.  WOson, 
the  Assembly  adopted  the  following  resolutions : 

(1.)  That  the  Assembly  has  heard  with  painful  concern  Dr.  AVilson's 
letter  declining,  on  the  ground  of  his  failing  health,  a  re-election  to  the 
position  of  secretary  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  desires  hereby  to  assure 
him  of  our  warmest  sympathy  in  his  bodily  weakness,  and  our  con- 
tinued appreciation  of  his  devoted  and  efficient  services. 

(2.)  That,  while  unwilling  to  lay  upon  him  duties  too  heavy  for  his 
strength,  still,  in  view  of  all  the  environments  of  the  work  of  Foreign 
Missions,  we  feel  constrained  to  urge  upon  him  a  continuance  m  office 
for  the  present;  and  we  do  hereby  re-appoint  him,  trusting  that  God 
in  his  goodness  will  give  him  all  needed  strength  for  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  his  office. 

(3.)  That  this  Assembly  will  elect  an  assistant  secretary  of  Foreign 
Missions,  and  when  such  assistant  shall  have  been  secured,  the  services 
of  a  c4ei*k  shall  be  dispensed  with. 

1885,  }).  418.  Dr.  Wilson,  in  a  letter,  given  on  page  39G,  renewed 
the  reqiiest  made  a  year  agt),  to  be  released  fn)m  further  connection 
\rith  the  office  of  Foreign  Missions.  In  that  letter  he  says:  "The  un- 
dersigned cjmnot  bring  this  comnnmication  to  a  close,  brief  as  it  is  in- 
tended to  be,  without  expressing  to  this  venerable  body,  and  through 
it  to  the  Church  at  large,  the  profound  gratitude  he  feels  for  the  kind- 
ness and  confidence  that  have  been  extended  to  him  during  all  those 
years  that  he  has  had  the  principal  charge  of  this  great  ciiuse.  The 
remembrance  of  this  ^nll  be  the  chief  solace  and  comfort  of  his  remain- ' 
ing  days."     Thereupon  the  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

In  reference  to  the  letter  of  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  the  ven- 
erable secretaiy  of  Foreign  Missions,  tendering  his  resignation  on  ac- 
count of  bodily  infirmities,  we  desire  to  i)ut  on  record  our  apjn'eciation 
of  his  services,  so  valual)le,  faithful,  and  long-continued,  and  that  we 
congratulate  him  in  being  able  to  realize  the  fruits  of  his  toils  and 
pravei's— the  assured  and  progressive  work  of  Foreign  [Missions  of  the 
8 


114  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

PresbAi;erian  Church  iu  the  United  States.  While  we  think  it  due  to 
him  that  he  be  released  from  the  burdens  and  responsibihties  of  the 
office,  yet  believing  that  it  woiild  be  an  injury  to  this  great  cause  for 
his  connection  to  be  severed  from  it,  we  therefore  recommend  that  his 
resignation  as  secretary  of  Foreign  Missions  be  accepted,  in  so  far  as 
to  reheve  him  of  all  work  and  responsibility,  and  that  he  be  appointed 
secretary  emeritus,  and  be  entitled  to  draw  a  salary  of  one  thousand 
dollars  annually  so  long  as  God  continues  him  among  us. 

A  suitable  letter  was  prepared  and  adopted  by  the  Assembly  by  a 
rising  vote  and  sent  to  Dr.  Wilson,  in  answer  to  liis  letter.  It  is  found 
on  -page  426  of  the  Minutes. 

1887,  p.  231.  Like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe,  he  was  gathered  into 
his  Lord's  garner,  leaving  behind  him  a  name  whose  fragrance  is  as 
ointment  poured  forth.  As  long  as  the  history  of  the  Church  shall  be 
preserved,  the  memory  will  be  cherished  of  his  massive  virtues:  he 
moved  before  us  with  his  heart  of  oak,  a  great  leader  of  the  sacra- 
mental host  of  God's  elect.  With  joy  that  he  was  spai'ed  so  long  to 
the  Church  on  earth,  "with  joy  that  he  has  been  gained  to  the  Church 
in  glory,  this  Assembly  pauses  for  a  moment  to  drop  a  tear,  for  their 
jown  loss,  upon  his  gTave. 

235.    Children  s  Day. 

1887,  p.  242.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbji;ery  of 
Ouachita,  the  first  Sabbath  of  June  is  set  apart  as  Children's  Daj' — a 
missionary'-  festival.  The  secretary  of  Foreign  Missions  is  requested 
to  prepare  a  programme  of  exercises  suited  to  the  day,  and  that  the 
children  then  be  invited  to  contribute  to  the  cause  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. 

236.  Preshyterial  chairman  and  corresponding  members  of  the 
executive  committees. 

1866,  pp.  19,  56.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  enjoin  it  upon  the 
Presbyteries  to  appoint  some  one  of  their  nmnber  to  act  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  this  cause  within  their  own  bounds,  whose  duty  it  shaU  be 
to  see  that  aU  the  churches  c<-)ntribute  to  this  cause,  and,  when  they 
fail  t(j  do  so,  to  report  them  to  the  Presbytery ;  and  further,  that  the 
same  person  be  regarded  as  a  corresponding  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  Foreign  Missions.  It  is  further  recommended,  that  until 
the  Presl^yteries  meet  and  make  the  aforesaid  appointments,  the  pres- 
ent ministerial  commissioners  to  the  Assembly  be  directed  to  act  in 
this  capacity  in  their  respective  Presbyteries  ;  and  where  there  are  two 
ministerial  commissioners  from  the  same  Presbytery,  the  older  to  take 
the  precedence. 

237.  First  mission — the  American  Indians. 

For  description  of  the  Indian  Territory,  its  tribes  and  population, 
their  political  relations  and  disturbances  resulting  from  the  outbreak 
of  the  war,  see  1861,  p.  44. 

1861,  p.  45.  The  following  extract  from  the  report  of  the  executive 
committee  will  give  some  idea  of  the  status  aijd  condition  of  the  mis- 
sion when  the  Assembly  assumed  control : 


Sec.  237.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  115 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  tlie  Presbyterian  Church  iu  the  United  States 
of  America  has  been  conducting  missions  among  all  these  tribes,  except  the  Chero- 
kees,  for  periods  varying  from  twelve  to  twenty  years.  The  work  has  always  com- 
prised two  distinct  departments  of  labor,  viz.  :  the  educational  and  the  evangelical. 
There  were,  until  within  a  recent  period,  as  many  as  eight  boarding  schools  among 
these  different  tribes,  comprising  in  all  more  than  live  hundred  pupils  of  both 
sexes.  There  were  also  about  thirty  teachers  and  other  missionary  helpers  con- 
nected with  these  schools,  the  great  majority  of  whom  were  from  the  Northern 
States. 

These  schools  were  supported  in  part  by  funds  belonging  to  the  Indians,  but 
disbursed  by  the  United  States  Government,  aud  iu  part  by  missionary  funds — the 
general  rule  being  one-fourth  from  the  missionary  treasury  arrd  three-fourths  from 
the  fund  of  the  Indians.  The  aggregate  cost  of  all  these  schools  was  about  $30, 000 
per  anmim. 

In  the  evangelical  department  there  were  twelve  ordained  missionaries  and  ten 
native  preachers  aud  licentiates,  besides  a  number  of  other  native  helpers.  Most 
of  these  brethren,  both  white  aud  native,  devoted  themselves  to  preaching  the 
gospel  aud  to  the  care  of  the  churches.  All  of  this  class  received  their  sujDport 
exclusively  from  the  missionary  treasury.  .  .  .  Go  among  them  now  iu  their  far- 
off  Western  homss,  and  you  will  hud  the  humblest  among  them  living  iu  decent 
and  comfortable  log  cabins;  not  a  trace  of  their  former  idolatry  will  be  seen ;  a 
good  little  farm,  well  stocked  with  pigs,  cows  and  ponies,  may  be  seen  in  connec- 
tion with  almost  every  dwelling;  intemperance  is  little  known,  and  the  sale  of 
ardent  spirits  is  interdicted  by  law ;  industry  and  thrift  may  be  seen  in  every  direc- 
tion. But  their  most  marked  progress  is  in  education  and  religion.  It  is  confi- 
dently asserted,  hj  those  who  have  the  moans  of  forming  a  correct  judgment,  that 
at  least  two-thirds  of  those  that  have  attained  to  a  suitable  age  are  able  to  read  and 
write ;  while  the  present  church  membership,  to  say  nothing  of  those  that  belong 
to  other  branches  of  the  church,  or  of  those  who  have  gone  to  their  rest  in  heaven, 
is  about  sixteen  huudrad;  an  1  amjng  no  paople  have  I  ever  witnessed  more  strik- 
ing proofs  of  the  existence  of  sincere,  humble,  consistent  piety. 

Of  the  missionaries  this  report  says : 

They  have  been  devoted,  earnest  aud  persevering  laborers  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard; some  of  them  for  periods  varying  from  twenty  to  thirty-five,  and  others 
for  more  than  forty  years.  Their  labors,  too,  have  been  owned  by  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  ant  crowued  with  most  cheering  results.  The  namas  of  Kingsbury, 
Byingtou  and  Wright  are  intimitely  interwoven  with  the  earliest  missionary  efforts 
of  this  country,  and  are  destined  to  becoma  historic  namas  in  the  annals  of  the 
Cho3taw  nation.  Hotchkin,  Oopelan  1,  Stxrlv,  Raid,  Balentine,  Lilley  and  Lough- 
ridge,  though  they  entereil  upon  the  work  at  a  later  period,  have  labored  with  no 
less  fidelity  or  success. 

J?  rom  the  report  of  1862,  p.  31 :  The  committee,  immediately  after 
entering-  upon  their  work,  and  upon  appHcation  pre\iouslv  made,  ap- 
2>ointed  Rev.  Cyrus  Kingsbury,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Messrs.  Cyrus  Byingtou, 
Ebenezer  Hotchkin,  C.  C.  Copeland,  Ohver  P.  Stark,  Alexander  Reid, 
Pliny  Fisk,  native  preacher,  and  Thomas  Benton,  native  licentiate, 
members  of  the  Choctaw  Mission ;  Rev.  Hamilton  Balentine,  and  Rev. 
Allen  Wright,  native  Choctaw  preachers,  members  of  the  Chickasaw 
Missicm;  Rev.  John  Lilley,  of  the  Seminole,  Rev.  R.  M.  Louglmdge, 
of  the  Creek,  and  Rev.  S.  Foreman,  native  Cherokee,  of  the  Cherokee 
Mission.  There  are  a  number  of  other  native  preachei's  and  licentiates, 
who  were  formerly  engaged  in  the  missionary  work,  but  who  are  now 
in  the  Confederate  service,  and  for  wh(jm  no  missionary  api)ointmeuts 
could  be  made  for  the  present.  All  those  above  named  have  been  en- 
gaged in  the  missionary  work  for  periods  var^dng  from  five  to  forty 
yeai's. 

18G9,  p.  169.  The  whole  missionary  corps,  under  the  direction  of 
the  committee,  and  supported  by  the  funds  of  the  Chiu'ch,  inclusive  of 
five  female  teachers,  consists  of  twenty  missionary  laborers. 


116  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

238.   Schools  among  the  Indians. 

1863,  p.  171.     Executive  committee's  report : 

Tlie  missionaries  in  the  Choctaw  conutry  eame  to  the  couchision.  during  the  sum- 
mer, that  the  further  suspension  of  their  schools,  even  for  a  limited  time,  would 
prove  very  disastrous,  both  to  the  social  and  religious  interests  of  the  people,  and 
they  resolved  at  once,  ■«ith  the  concurrence  of  the  committee,  to  establish  day 
schools  at  all  their  principal  stations.  There  were  a  number  of  white  women  in  the 
country,  most  of  them  the  wives  or  daughters  of  the  missionaries,  and  educated 
Choctaw  women,  whose  services  were  found  available,  and  schools  were  accordingly 
established  at  Wheelock,  at  Pine  Ridge,  at  Good  Water,  Good  Laud,  Bennington, 
and  Living  Land.  One  of  these  schools  is  now  taught  by  Miss  Augusta  Bradford, 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Talladega,  Ala.,  nnd  one  of  those  who 
responded  to  the  call  of  the  committee  for  teachers  last  summer.  She  is  the  first 
missionary  laborer  who  has  left  her  home  to  engage  in  the  missionary  work  among 
the  heathen  under  the  direction  of  the  committee,  and  this  fact  is  recorded  here  to 
the  honor  of  the  church  of  which  she  is  a  member.  All  of  the  schools  above  men- 
tioned are  reijorted  as  doing  well. 

1866,  p.  55.  In  the  recent  treaty  with  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment, provision  was  made  for  the  support  of  schools. 

1871,  p.  45.  The  committee,  after  much  prayerful  consideration, 
have  determined  to  resuscitate  the  school  for  boys  at  Spencer  Academy. 
Such  an  institution  is  greatly  needed  in  the  nation,  but  the  Choctaws 
do  not  themselves  feel  able  to  conduct  it,  and  the  committee  were  forced 
to  the  alternative  of  undertaking  its  management  or  allow  it  to  fall  into 
hands  that  would  probably  make  it  a  curse  instead  of  a  blessing  to  the 
nation.  The  committee  have  special  reference  to  training  teachers  and 
preachers.  The  school  is  to  have  sixty  boys,  for  whose  support  the  na- 
tion is  to  pro\ide ;  but  the  committee  will  have  to  provide  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  superintendent  and  two  teachers. 

239.    Ohoetaui  Bible — R<  v.  Cyrus  Bi/ington. 

1864,  p.  325.  Mr.  Byiugtou  has  spent  a  portion  of  time  in  translat- 
ing the  Scriptures  into  the  Choctaw  language,  and  also  in  preparing  a 
grannnar  of  that  language,  both  of  which  will  be  important  acquisi- 
tions to  the  religious  and  literary  world,  when  the  circumstances  of  the 
country  will  allow  of  their  publication. 

1866,  p.  353.  The  Rev.  Cyrus  Byington,  who  has  labored  in  that 
field  with  indefatigable  zeal  for  more  than  forty  years,  has  recently  been 
compelled,  by  feeble  health  and  the  infirmities  of  old  age,  to  retire  from 
active  missionar}'  labor,  but  will  devote  the  remainder  of  his  days  to 
the  completion  of  the  translation  of  the  Bible  into  the  Choctaw  lan- 
guage. His  life  of  self-denial,  of  persevering  labor  and  consecration 
to  the  service  ol  Christ,  has  few  parallels  in  the  history  of  the  Chvirch, 
and  vvdll  command  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  people  of  God 
wherever  it  is  kn(jwn. 

1867,  p.  160.  Mr.  Byingtcm  is  in  New  York,  superintending  the 
printing  of  the  Choctaw  Bible.  The  American  Bible  Society  has  very 
Idndly  undertaken  to  print  an  edition  of  the  Pentateuch  in  that  language 
for  the  use  of  the  mission,  and  will  also  print  (^ther  portions  of  the  Bible 
as  they  are  prepared  f ( )r  the  press  and  are  needed  liy  the  peo^ile.  It  is 
a  kind  providence  that  has  s})ared  the  life  and  health  of  our  aged  and 
venerable  brother  to  carry  on  this  great  and  important  work. 

1869,  p.  407.  This  mission  has,  during  the  year,  been  deprived  by 
death  of  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments.     The  name  of  the  Rev.  Cyrus 


Sec.  2-iU.]  The  AciENCiEs  of  the  Chirch.  117 

Byington  has  long  since  become  a  household  word  with  all  who  feel  any 
interest  in  the  missionary  work.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  that 
mission,  and  had  labored  among  the  Choctaws  with  luitiring  assiduity 
for  very  nearly  fifty  years.  Scores  and  hundi-eds  of  Christian  Choctaws, 
some  akeady  in  the  mansions  of  glory,  and  others  on  theii*  way  thither, 
will  ascribe  their  salvation  under  God  to  his  instrumentality. 

2-40.  In  Jionor  of  Iiev.  ('i/ncs  Ixliif/sbufij,  I).  IJ. 

1870,  p.  507.  On  motion  of  Rev.  Dr.  Robinson,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  paper  suitably  expressing  the  sympathy  of  the  As- 
sembly with  the  Rev.  C^i-us  Kingsbmy,  D.  D.,  its  venerable  missionaiy 
among  the  Choctaw  Indians.  This  committee  was  appointed,  to  con- 
sist of  the  Rev.  S.  Robinson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Allen  Wright,  and  Rev.  J.  M. 
Brown. 

P.  513.     The  following  is  their  report,  which  was  adopted ; 

This  Geueral  Assembly  desires  for  the  whole  Church  to  give  expressiou  to  its  deep 
sense  of  the  great  goodness  of  God  iu  prolonging  into  this,  another  generation,  the 
life,  and,  in  a  measure,  the  health  and  strength  of  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Kingsbury,  D.  D., 
founder  of  the  Choctaw  Mission,  now  near  his  four-score  and  fomih  year,  and  hav- 
ing for  more  than  half  a  century  faithfully  labored  and  courageouslj'  suffered  with 
the  Choctaw  people. 

1.  Having  been  first  to  carry  the  gospel  to  the  Choctaws,  then  a  tribe  of  savage 
heathen  in  IMississippi,  having  been  \\'ith  them  through  all  the  ten-iljle  afflictions  of 
their  removal,  and  the  founder  of  those  gospel  institutions  for  them  in  their  new 
home,  by  means  of  which  they  have  been  brought  io  a  high  degree  of  civilization 
and  Christian  culture,  he  has  lived  to  see  his  work  and  the  cause  of  Missions  nobly 
repres3ut-^l  iu  this  Assembly  by  a  sou  iu  the  g.)-ii);^l,  whose  earnest  zeal  has  fired  our 
hearts  and  strengthened  our  faith  in  the  work  of  Missions.  Thiis  has  this  venerable 
father  lived  to  demonstrate,  by  actual  experiment,  how  the  gospel  is  no  less  the 
power  of  God  to  the  barbarian  than  to  the  Greek. 

2.  This  Assembly  desires  to  exjiress  for  the  whole  Church  the  love  and  reverence 
of  the  Church  for  this  venerable  servant  of  Christ;  and  to  give  him  assurance  that, 
in  his  old  age  and  solitude,  he  is  not  forgotten.  That  while  he  prays  with  the  Psalm- 
ist: "O  (xod.  thou  hast  taught  me  from  my  youth,  and  liitherto  have  I  declared  thj' 
Avondrous  works.  Now  also  when  I  am  old  and  gray-headed,  O  God,  forsake  me 
not'  —he  may  feel  asstired  that  the  people  of  God  throughout  our  bounds  join  xA-ith 
one  accord  and  one  heart  in  the  petition,  and  earnestly  hope  that  the  remnant  of 
his  pilgrimage  may  be  the  happy  waiting  of  a  veuer.able  apostle,  saying,  "For  I 
am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  hax'e  fought 
a  good  tight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith :  henceforth  there  is 
laid'  uji  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall 
give  me  at  that  day. " 

1871,  p.  42.  Rev.  Cyrus  Kingsbury,  D.  D.,  the  founder  of  the  Choc- 
taw Mission,  and  tV)r  more  than  lifty  years  sm  active  and  untiring  la- 
borer ui  connection  with  it,  departed  this  life  on  the  27th  of  June,  after 
severe  and  somewhat  protracted  sickness.  The  last  Assembly,  being 
informed  of  his  enfeeliled  condition,  directed  a  letter  of  condolence  and 
sympathy  to  be  addressed  to  him.  He  lived  to  hear  oi  the  land  inten- 
tion of  the  Assembly:  but  before  the  letter  itself  reached  its  destina- 
tion he  had  been  called  up  higher.  Few  ministers  have  left  behind  a 
brighter  record.  He  had  many  noble  associates  in  the  missionary  work, 
but  to  none  more  than  himself  are  the  Choctaws  indebted  for  all  the 
social,  mtellectual,  ci\dl  and  religious  progress  they  have  made  in  the 
last  half  centiu'y.  His  name  is  held  in  the  highest  veneration  by  that 
whole  people,  and  eternity  alone  will  show  how  much  he  has  done  to 
l)romote  their  spiritual  and  everlasting  welfare. 


118  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

241.    Cherokee  Mission  suspended. 

1878,  p.  677.  This  mission  has  been  discontinued,  mainly,  if  not 
wholly,  because  the  committee  did  not  have  the  means  either  to  sustain 
or  reinforce  it. 

242.  Indians  tninsferred  to  the  care  and  control  of  the  Executive  Com 
mittee  of  Home  3fissions. 

1886,  p.  35.  The  executive  committee  is  authorized  and  instructed 
to  transfer  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions  the  entire  di- 
rection, control  and  support  of  the  missions  among  the  American  In- 
dians, so  soon  as  the  Home  Mission  Committee  shall  be  able  and  -o'llling 
to  receive  them  under  its  care. 

1887,  p.  229.  This  transfer  being  not  consummated,  it  is  recom- 
mended that,  for  prudential  reasons,  the  whole  matter  be  postponed  for 
the  present. 

243.  Second  mission —  Ch  in  a. 

1866,  p.  55.     Condensed  fi'om  executive  committee's  report : 

Rev.  Elias  B.  Inslee,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Mississippi,  went 
out  as  a  missionary  to  Cliina  under  the  direction  of  the  New  York  Board 
in  1856.  For  reasons  not  necessary  here  to  state,  his  connection  with 
that  board  was  dissolved,  and  since  that  time  he  has  carried  on  his 
work,  in  a  great  measure,  at  his  own  charges.  It  has  not  been  imtil 
within  six  or  eight  months  past  that  Mr.  Inslee  has  been  able  to  effect 
any  commmiication,  either  with  the  committee  or  with  his  private  friends 
in  this  part  of  the  country.  A  letter  was  published  from  him  recently 
in  all  our  religious  journals,  giving  some  account  of  his  sufferings  and 
labors  in  China,  and  was  accompanied  with  an  appeal  from  the  commit- 
tee for  five  hundred  dollars  in  his  behalf.  Within  a  few  weeks  Mr. 
Inslee  has  aiTived  in  this  country.  He  desires  to  return  to  China  imder 
the  direction  of  this  committee  and  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in 
proclaiming  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  that  benighted  people.  It 
appears  to  the  committee  that  God  is  thus  opening  up  a  door  by  which 
we  are  to  enter  that  great  empire  of  darkness  and  sin  and  take  an  hon- 
orable position  among  other  branches  of  the  Christian  Church  in  diffus- 
ing the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  among  that  dark-minded  and  multitu- 
dinous race.  The  committee  have  accepted  the  offer  of  Mr.  Inslee, 
and  have  appointed  him  a  missionary  to  China  under  their  care  and  di- 
rection. 

.  P.  19.  This  brother  (the  Assembly  saA' s),  who  is  in'ovidentiaUy  with 
us,  whose  heart  God  has  touched,  and  who  has  resolved  to  devote  the 
remainder  of  his  life  to  the  myriads  of  China,  must  be  sustained. 

1867,  p.  161.     Bev.  E.  B.  Inslee  and  family  sailed  for  China  in  June 

last The  selection  of  a  particular  field  of  labor  will  necessarily 

have  to  be  left  verj^  much  to  himself ;  but  it  is  exj)ected  that  he  will 
settle  in  the  great  city  of  Hangchow.  Hangchow  is  situated  about  one 
hundred  miles  west  of  Shanghai,  is  easily  accessible  from  the  seaboard, 
enjoys  a  healthful  location,  and  is  supposed  to  contain  about  one  mil- 
lion of  inhabitants.  Mr.  Lislee,  during  his  previous  missiouarj^  hfe, 
spent  some  time  in  this  place,  and  is  the  only  missionary,  so  far  as  is 
known,  who  has  ever  preached  the  gospel  to  that  people.  Hangchow 
is  in  easy  reach  of  at  least  six  other  cities  of  equal  size,  besides  towns 
and  \dUages  almt)st  without  number.     (See  1868,  p.  292.) 


yEc.  244.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  110 

18(59,  p.  40(;.  l?ev.  Messrs.  :M.  H.  Houston,  B.  Helm,  and  J.  L. 
Stuart  sailed  from  New  York  to  China  on  the  9th  of  September,  and 
reached  Shanghai  on  the  7th  of  November.  They  proceeded  thence  to 
Hangchow,  where  they  have  been  since  engaged  in  studpng  the  lan- 
guage. Rev.  T.  E.  Converse  and  wife  wUl  join  them  in  September 
next. 

1870,  p.  555.  A  second  station,  at  Gu-tsiu,  has  been  opened,  about 
one  hundred  and  tifty  miles  west  of  Hangchow.  The  city  contains  about 
200,000  inhabitants.  Rev.  Messrs.  Inslee,  Houston  and  Converse,  with 
Mrs.  Inslee  and  Converse,  occuj^y  the  station  at  Hangchow,  while  Rev. 
Messrs.  Stuart  and  Helm  occupy  that  at  Gu-tsiu. 

1871,  p.  9.  The  condition  of  oiu'  missionaries  in  China,  as  probably 
exposed  to  pecuHar  danger  at  present,  was  brought  to  the  attention  of 
the  Assembly;  and,  upon  request,  the  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D., 
led  the  Assembly  in  special  praj^er  for  their  protection  and  welfare. 

1873,  p.  364.  Condensed :  The  mission  at  Gu-tsiu  was  siu-rendered 
and  another  opened  mstead  at  Soochow.  This  city  is  situated  between 
Shanghai  and  Hangchow  and  is  characterized  not  only  by  great  com- 
mercial activity,  but  the  people  are  more  kind  and  liberal  in  their  feel- 
ings toward  strangers.  The  station  is  occupied  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Stuart 
and  DuBose. 

1873,  p.  358.  The  funds  raised  two  years  ago  for  the  purchase  of  a 
press  for  the  Chinese  Mission  has,  in  accordance  with  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  missionaries  themselves,  been  turned  over  to  the  current 
fund  for  the  support  of  that  mission,  but  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Assembly,  a?'d  with  the  engagement  on  the  part  of  the  committee  to 
furnish  a  press  for  this  mission,  should  one  be  needed  at  any  future 
time.  The  funds  were  raised  in  the  first  instance  at  the  earnest  re- 
quest of  the  lamented  Inslee,  who  was  familiar  with  the  management 
of  the  press.  None  of  the  brethren  now  in  the  field  have  any  knowledge 
about  managing  one.  Besides  which,  they  find  that  they  can  get  all 
the  printing  needed  done  at  the  large  pi'iiiting  estabHshment  at 
Shanghai,  and  at  a  much  lower  rate  than  could  be  done  on  a  press  of 
their  own.     Approved  by  the  Assembly. 

244    Provision  for  tlie.  fimily  of  Rev.  E.  B.  Inslee. 

1871,  p.  9.  The  subject  of  making  some  provision  for  the  family  of 
the  Rev.  E.  B.  Inslee,  one  of  oiu'  foreign  missionaries,  who  has  lately 
deceased,  was  presented  by  Dr.  J.  L.  WUson,  and  was  referred  to  a 
special  committee,  (consisting  of  Rev.  R.  IMcInnis,  Wm.  Bartlett,  W.  H. 
Tappey,  R.  S.  McAllister,  and  A.  M.  Smylie. 

P.  22.  This  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted : 

The  special  committee  appointed  to  sugfgest  some  plan  by  which 
suitable  provision  may  be  made  for  the  family  of  the  late  Rev.  E.  B. 
Inslee,  who  was  for  foiu'teen  years  a  faithful  and  laborious  missionary 
in  China,  imder  the  care  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  would  report 
that,  after  duly  considering  the  i)eculiar  obligations  which  rest  upon  us 
as  a  Chiu'ch  to  provide  for  this  family,  the  amount  necessary'  for  this 
piu'posc,  and  the  best  method  of  raising  the  amount,  would  submit  the 
following : 

That  this  Assembly  recognize  the  peculiar  obligations  which  rest 


120  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

■upon  the  Cliiu'cb,  to  provide  for  the  support  and  education  of  this  fam- 
ily ;  and  that,  mth  the  view  of  secui'ing-  a  home,  and  making  other  neces- 
sary provision,  which  will  require  at  least  $.5,000 ;  and,  believing  that 
the  best  method  (jf  raising  this  amount  is  by  an  appeal  to  the  ladies ; 
therefore : 

Hesolred,  1,  That  each  minister  in  our  Church  be  directed  to  pre- 
sent this  impoi-tant  subject,  and  endeavor  to  enHst  the  female  members 
•of  their  respective  congregations,  s<i  that  the  amount,  if  possible,  may 
be  raised  by  the  first  of  October.  The  Executive  Committee  of  For- 
eign Missions  is  charged  with  the  duty  of  securing  the  funds  necessary 
to  carrv  this  plan  into  effect. 

2,  That  Rev.  Drs.  B.  M.  Palmer,  J.  E.  C.  Doremus,  H.  M.  Smith, 
and  W.  A.  Bartlett,  Esq.,  be  a  committee  to  take  charge  of  the  funds, 
and  invest  them  in  such  a  way  as  they  may  deem  best  for  the  benefit 
of  this  family;  and  that  said  committee  rejiort  to  next  Assembly  the 
amomit  raised  and  how  invested. 

1872,  p.  187.  This  committee  reported  that  $6,811.32  had  been 
raised,  and  that,  after  purchasing  and  furnishing  a  home  for  Mrs.  Inslee 
in  Hazlehurst,  Miss.,  they  had  invested  $4,286  in  bonds  pi'oducing  $350 
annual  interest. 

1882,  p.  559.  Ri'Kolrcd,  That  the  trustees  having  in  charge  the  "  In- 
slee Fund  "  be  authorized  and  direc^ted  to  pay  over  to  Mrs.  Inslee  the 
principal  of  said  fund,  for  the  benefit  of  herself  and  her  children ;  Pro- 
vided, Mrs.  Inslee  gives  such  a  receipt  as  vnll  l)e  a  full  legal  discharge 
•of  the  trustees  of  said  fund,  and  of  the  General  Assembly,  from  all 
further  hability  in  the  premises. 

245.    Our  tldrd  mission — Italy. 

1867,  p.  161.  Miss  Christina  Eonzone,  a  native  of  Italy,  but  for  a 
number  (^f  years  past  a  resident  of  South  Carolina,  and  a  member  of 
one  of  om-  churches  there,  sailed  for  her  native  country  in  August  last, 
vpith  the  expectation  of  taking  charge  of  a  large  Protestant  school  in 
the  city  of  Naples.  She  will  act  under  the  general  direction  of  the 
Waldensian  Table  or  Committee  of  Missions,  but  will  derive  her  sup- 
port from  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  of  om*  Church. 
This  arrangement  was  thought  best  in  the  present  disturbed  condition 
of  Italy,  and  is  not  to  be  regretted,  as  it  will  bring  our  Church  into 
close  fellowship  with  that  of  the  ancient  and  venerable  'Waldenses,  who 
are  now  actively  and  suc-cessfully  engaged  in  promoting  evangehcal  re- 
ligion in  Italy. 

1868,  p.  291.  She  was  most  cordially  received  on  her  arrival  there, 
not  only  by  the  Waldensian  brethren,  but  by  other  missionaries  on  the 
ground,  and  is  now  engaged  in  teaching  an  interesting  Protestant 
school  in  the  city  of  Naples.  A  pious  lady  in  Scotland  has  very  genei*- 
ously  provided  the  means  for  the  support  of  the  school  for  two  years, 
at  the  expiration  of  which  time  it  is  hoped  that  our  own  committee  mil 
be  able  to  assume  the  entire  expens(!  of  her  mission. 

1869,  p.  407.  She  receives  her  personal  support  from  the  Executive 
Committee  of  Foreign  Missions.  She  renders  herself  useful  in  other 
ways,  particularly  by  transhiting  religious  txacts  into  the  Italian  lan- 
guage, by  personal  conference  witli  the  Ponianists,  and  otlier  kindred 
modes  of  doinc  <jood. 


Sec.  246.]  The  A(iEXciEs  of  the  Chirch.  121 

1870,  p.  554.  Miss  Cliristiua  Eouzone  has  been  transferred,  at  her 
own  request,  from  Naples  to  B(  )rdighiera,  an  interior  town  not  far  from 
Genoa.  The  people  t)f  Naples  did  not  seem  fully  prepared  to  patronize 
Protestant  schools,  the  department  of  labor  which  Miss  Eonzone  had 
selected  as  her  special  work. 

1H72,  p.  185.  In  consequence  of  the  removal  of  the  school  with 
which  Miss  Konzone  had  been  connected  from  Bordighiera  to  St.  Eemo, 
she  preferred  to  open  a  day-school  at  Milan,  her  native  place,  where  she 
tlujught  she  could  be  more  useful  than  at  St.  Remo. 

18715,  p.  862.  The  number  of  piqjils  in  Miss  Ronzone's  scht)ol  is  not 
large,  but  increases  from  time  to  time.  She  will  labor  hereafter  in 
more  immediate  connection  with  the  Waldensian  Mission  at  Milan. 
The  committee  have  no  expectation  of  enlarging  the  mission  in  Italy 
for  the  present,  and  doubts  have  been  entertained  w'hether  the  lield 
should  be  occupied  at  aU  without  a  fuller  missionaiy  organization  than 
exists  at  present.  But  it  is  veiy  desirable  that  oui-  i:)eople  should  have 
some  share  in  the  great  work  of  evangeHzing  Papal  Europe,  and  in  no 
way  could  our  humble  contributions  be  more  advantageously  employed 
than  in  the  support  of  one  who  seems  to  be  so  earnest  and  indefatiga- 
ble in  her  labors,  and  has  enjoyed  so  many  tokens  of  the  divine  favor. 

246.  Fourth  mission  —  T^iiittJ  Statcft  of  (Jolomhin. 

1869,  p.  4()().     From  report  of  the  executive  committee: 

Rev.  H.  B.  Pratt  and  family  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  21st  of 
April,  on  their  way  to  Barrantiuilla,  their  contemplated  missionaiy 
station.  Mr.  Pratt,  as  is  weU  known,  labored  as  a  missionary,  for  a 
number  of  years  pre\ious  to  the  war,  at  Bogota,  the  capital  of  New^ 
Grenada,  and  is  well  (juahtied  by  his  knowledge  of  the  people  and  theu" 
language  to  be  a  very  useful  and  efiective  missionary  in  that  part  of 
the  w^orld.  Barranquilla  is  a  seaport  town  of  20,000  inhabitants,  and 
is  not  only  a  promising  field  of  missionary  labor  in  itself,  l)ut  will  afford 
great  advantages  for  extending  the  lilessings  of  the  gospel  into  the 
broad  and  populous  regions  of  New  (Grenada  generaUy,  as  soon  as  we 
shall  have  the  missionary  force  to  dt)  so. 

1870,  p.  406.  Barrancjuilla  is  the  largest  seaport  town  on  the  north- 
ern borders  of  the  United  States  of  Colombia,  and  is  situated  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Magdalena,  a  river  that  is  navigable  to  the  distance  of 
five  himdred  miles  into  the  heart  of  the  country.  It  has  a  mixed  pop- 
ulation, and  is  (considered,  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  fiom'ishiug. 

iMr.  Pratt  arrived  there  one  year  ago,  and,  as  he  was  already 
familiar  with  the  Spanish  language,  he  entered  upon  the  work  of 
preaching  without  any  material  dtday. 

1872,  p.  185.  This  mission  was  reinforced  in  January  l)y  the  arnval 
of  ^Ir.  A.  H.  Erwin,  who  immediately  entered  upon  his  Avork  as 
teacher. 

1878,  p.  8()8.  Abridged.  Mr.  Pratt  transferred  his  missionaiy  head- 
quaiters  from  Barraiujuilla  to  Socorro,  the  capital  of  the  province  of 
Santander.  This  promice  lies  to  the  southeast  of  Barranquilla,  is  con- 
siderably elevated  above  the  sea-coast  regions,  is  movuitainous,  has  a 
healthy  climate  and  a  much  more  intelligent  i)opulation  than  that  found 
along  the  sea-coast.  The  reasons  for  this  change  were  that  the  climate 
was  more  congenial  to  the  health  of  his  family,  and  the  people  there 


122  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

were  more  favorably  disposed  to  listen  to  the  claims  of  the  gospel  than 
those  among-  whom  he  had  been  laboring  for  several  years  past.  This 
step  was  taken  -with  the  full  concurrence  of  the  committee.  Mr.  Erwin 
still  labors  at  Barranquilla,  and  not  without  evidences  of  the  divine  favor. 

1877,  p.  4G6.  The  work  at  Barranquilla  and  Bucaramanga  (whither 
Mr.  Pratt  had  removed  from  Socorro)  is  much  impeded  by  the  tierce 
and  bloody  ci\il  war  which  is  rending-  the  country,  and  the  hfe  of  our 
missionaries  has  been  repeatedly  in  peril. 

1878,  p.  677.  The  committee  announced  the  suspension  of  this  mis- 
sion, larg-ely  from  want  of  means  to  sustain  and  reinforce  it. 

247.   0>ir  fifth  mission — Brazil. 

1866,  p.  19.  With  regard  to  the  overture  from  the  Sjmod  of  South 
Carohna,  which  was  referred  to  this  committee,  touching  a  mission  to 
Brazil,  it  is  recommended  that  this  Assembly  express  its  hearty  sym- 
pathy with  the  Christian  brethren  who  pro2:)ose  to  leave  us  for  strange 
shores,  in  their  desii'e  for  a  pure  gospel  and  for  the  voice  of  the  Hving 
minister,  whom  they  ask  that  we  should  send ;  but  it  is  the  opinion  of 
your  committee  that  all  action  on  om*  part  looking  in  that  direction 
would  be  at  this  time  prematui-e. 

1869,  p.  386.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  in  answer  to 
an  overture  from  Bethel  Presbytery,  in  reference  to  the  propagation  of 
the  gospel  in  the  Empire  of  Brazil,  would  recommend  to  the  Assembly 
to  refer  the  whole  matter  of  the  overture  to  the  Executive  Committee 
on  Foreign  Missions,  instructing  that  committee  to  investigate  the  sub- 
ject, and  authorizing  them  to  take  such  action  in  the  case  as  in  their 
discretion  may  be  deemed  proper.     Adopted. 

P.  406.  Eev.  G.  Nash  Morton,  according  to  previous  aiTangement, 
sailed  from  New  York  in  Aug-ust  last,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  cer- 
tain portions  of  Brazil,  with  reference  to  the  establishment  of  a  perma- 
nent missicm  in  that  part  of  the  world.  He  returned  in  November. 
Result:  Mr.  Morton  and  his  associate,  Eev.  Edward  Lane,  together 
with  Mrs.  i\Ioi-ton,  will  sail  from  Baltimore  about  the  first  of  June, 
and  commence  their  permanent  missionary  labors  in  the  city  of  Cam- 
pinas. 

1870,  p.  555.  Campinas  is  in  the  central  pai-t  of  the  province  of  Sao 
Paulo,  and  two  himdred  miles  west  of  Eio  Janeiro.  It  connects  by 
railroad  with  Sao  Paulo,  a  large  seaport  to  the  south  of  Eio.  It  has  a 
population  of  20,000,  and  is  one  of  the  most  flourishing  cities  of  the 
interior.  The  climate  is  pleasant  and  healthful,  and  the  people,  it  is 
thought,  are  favorably  disposed  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of  the  piu'e 
gospel.  For  the  organization  of  the  Presb;\-ter)'  of  Sao  Paulo  in  1872, 
see  chapter  on  Presbyteries. 

1871,  p.  46.  An  institution  of  learning,  especijilly  where  boys  and 
young  men  can  be  fitted  for  teaching  and  preaching  the  gospel,  is 
greatly  needed;  and  as  a  part  of  the  object  of  Mr.  Lane's  visit  to  this 
countiy  is  to  obtain  means  for  the  establishment  of  such  an  institution, 
it  is  earnestly  hoped  that  his  mission  will  be  regarded  Avith  great 
favor  by  all  who  love  the  missionai-}'  cause  and  pray  for  the  coming  of 
Christ's  kingdom. 

1872,  p.  186.  The  most  intelhgent  portion  of  the  community  have 
manifested  a  very  strong  desire  to  have  such  an  institution  established. 


Sec.  248.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtrch.  123 

and  it  would  no  doubt  be  thronged  with  pupils  as  soon  as  opened.  A 
vei"}'  ehgible  lot,  sufficient  for  both  missionary  residences  and  the  edu- 
cational institution,  has  been  purchased  and  paid  for.  Six  th(jusand 
dollars  are  needed  to  put  uj)  the  necessaiy  buildings.  The  executive 
committee  have  not  felt  able  to  appropriate  more  than  $1,000  from  the 
general  fund  for  this  purpose,  and  it  is  now  proposed  to  raise  $5,000 
by  contributions  from  individuals. 

In  1876,  bonds  to  the  extent  of  $3,900  were  issued  to  meet  a  debt 
iacuiTed  in  the  erection  and  improvement  of  the  buildings  above  con- 
templated for  the  college,  Campinas  Institute.  For  the  greater  part 
of  tliis  debt,  however,  a  note  was  given  to  the  builder  of  the  college. 
The  note  was  for  $7,043.  In  1886  this  note  had  been  paid,  and  in 
1887  the  bonds  were  aU  redeemed. 

1877,  p.  469.  The  number  of  pupils  in  the  college  has  been  one 
hundi-ed  and  twenty,  and  it  will  probably  continue  to  range  at  about 
this  number.  The  condition  of  the  gTounds  and  premises  has  been 
greatly  impi'oved.  There  are  now  five  separate  church  organizations 
in  connection  with  this  mission. 

1873,  p.  363.  When  Mr.  Morton  visited  Brazil  foiu*  years  ago  as  a 
missionaiy  explorer  he  felt  great  doubts,  as  the  committee  also  did, 
whether  the  first  mission  should  be  attempted  in  one  of  the  large  sea- 
port cities  t)f  northern  Brazil,  or  at  Campinas,  in  southera  Brazil.  The 
committee  finally  decided  in  favor  of  Campinas,  but  with  the  express 
understanding  at  the  time  that  Pernambuco,  or  one  of  the  other  large 
cities  of  northern  Brazil,  should  be  occupied  at  as  early  a  day  as  possi- 
ble. Eev.  J.  Bockwell  Smith  having  offered  his  services,  and  the 
churches  in  Mobile  and  New  Orleans  having  agreed  to  furnish  the 
means  necessary-  to  found  the  mission,  the  committee  felt  no  hesitation 
in  going  forward.  Mr.  Smith  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  23d  De- 
cember, to  visit  Pernambuco  and  the  surrounding  coimtiy.  He  was 
cordially  received  on  his  arri\al  there  by  the  Enghsh  and  American 
residents  of  the  place,  and  finding  no  obstacles  to  the  estabUshment  of 
a  mission  there,  that  would  not  have  to  be  encovmtered  in  any  other 
Roman  CathoHc  countiy,  but  much  on  the  other  hand  to  encourage  the 
undertaking,  he  immediately  set  to  work  to  found  a  mission,  wliich,  it  is 
hoped,  will  jirove  a  great  blessing  to  the  coimtry. 

'     248.    IVie,  Synod  of  Brazil 

1887,  p.  229.  In  answer  to  memorials  from  several  of  oui-  mission- 
aries in  Brazil,  who  have  imited  with  the  representatives  of  six  native 
chvu'ches  in  organizing  the  "Presbyteiy  of  Campinas  and  Western 
Minas,"  and  who  desu'e  to  know  whether  the  Assembly  will  apprt)ve 
their  combining  with  the  Presbytery  of  Bio  Janeiro,  belonging  to  tlie 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  United  States  of  Ameiica,  in 
forming  the  S^Tiod  of  Brazil,  in  answer  also  to  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Chesapeake  favoring  this  movement,  it  is  recommended 
that  the  Assembly  give  its  approval  to  the  formation  of  a  Brazilian 
Synod  formed  of  Presbyteries  which  shall  be  separ.-ited  from  both  the 
Assembhes  in  this  country,  and  constituting  in  Brazil  a  distinct  and  in- 
dependent church,  free  from  lV)reign  control.  It  is  further  ad\dsed 
that  our  missionaries,  as  soon  as  these  native  Presbyteries  can  be  safely 
left,  push  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible  into  the  destitute  regions  be- 
yond, fulfilling  the  evangelist's  office  in  them.     Adopted. 


124  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

249.   Our  sixth  tnission  —  3fexico. 

1873,  p.  858.  Eev.  A.  T.  Gravbill,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  recent 
graduate  of  Union  Seminary,  left  South  Carolina  t)n  the  2d  April,  on 
his  way  to  explore  northern  Mexico,  with  reference  to  the  estabhshment 
of  a  mission  somewhere  along  the  borders  of  the  Eio  Grande.  Eev. 
John  W.  Neil,  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  has  been  invited  to  accompany 
Mr.  Graybill,  and  assist  him  on  this  tour  of  exploration.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  Mr.  Graybill  will  retui'n  and  report  the  results  of  his  obser- 
vations before  the  severe  heat  of  summer.  Should  the  field  appear  to 
be  as  inviting  as  it  has  been  represented  tt)  be,  Mr.  Graybill,  accom- 
panied by  another  missionaiy  brother,  will  retiu'n  there  in  autumn  for 
permanent  occupation  of  the  field. 

1874,  p.  551.  Matamoras  was  selected  as  the  site  for  this  mission. 
It  is  on  the  southern  side  of  the  Eio  Grande,  and  has  a  population  of 
15,000  or  20,000.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graybill  arrived  there  in  January 
last,  and  were  cordially  welcomed  by  Christian  friends  there  and  in 
Brownsville. 

On  April  21,  1884,  the  Presbytery  of  Tamauhpas  was  organized  as 
the  outgrowth  of  this  mission.  It  is  composed  entirely  of  native  min- 
isters and  chui'ches. 

250.    Our  seventh  mission—  Greece. 

1878,  p.  315.  Eesolved,  That  in  ^iew  of  the  fact  that  the  Eev.  M. 
D.  Kalopothakes,  a  native  missionary  in  Greece,  and  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  in  connection  with  ovu-  Church,  has  been  for  years  engaged  in  an 
interesting  and  peculiarly  difficult  work,  and  is  now,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  left  without  the  fostering  care  of  any  missionary  society,  his 
case  is  entitled  to  the  sympathy  of  our  Christian  people,  and  its  con- 
sideration commended  to  our  executive  committee  for  such  fraternal  in- 
terest and  aid  as,  in  their  judgment,  may  be  deemed  advisable. 

1874,  p.  547.  The  executive  committee  annoimced  that  the  Greek 
mission  had  been  opened  in  Athens,  and  that  Eev.  M.  D.  Kalopothakes, 
Mr.  George  Kazacos,  and  Mr.  J.  S.  Dewar  had  been  added  to  the  list 
of  missionary  laborers.  1875,  Salonica,  in  European  Turkey,  was  occu- 
pied as  a  new  station,  and  four  new  missionaries  reported  as  sent  out 
to  the  Greek  field. 

1882,  p.  579.  The  committee  reported  the  estabhshment  in  Greece, 
as  the  result  of  our  missionary  labors,  of  an  evangelical  Greek  Presby- 
tery, composed  entirely  of  native  Greeks ;  a  fact,  the  committee  say, 
that  ought  to  kindle  a  noble  and  holy  pride  in  the  heart  of  every  South- 
ern Presbyterian.  The  name  of  this  Presbytery  is  the  "  Greek  Evan- 
gehcal  Synod."     It  stiU  maintains  an  organic  existence. 

251.    Our  eiiflith  mission — Japoii. 

1885,  p.  489.  Condensed  from  the  report  of  the  executive  committee : 
There  are  indications  of  God's  providence  that  this  Church  is  called 
now  to  take  pai-t  in  the  work  of  making  known  the  gospel  to  the  thirty- 
five  millions  of  people  in  Japan.  That  island  empire  is  the  part  of  Asia 
which  lies  nearest  our  own  land.  For  eighteen  years  our  missionaries 
have  passed  by  its  shores  and  touched  at  its  ports  as  they  went  to  China, 
and  the  inquiry  might  well  be  raised,  Why  should  we  continue  to  do 
nothing  to  save  a  bright  and  interesting  people,  who  number  not  one- 


Secs.  252,  253.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  125 

third  less  than  the  whole  i)opulatiou  of  the  United  States  ?  The  rapid 
l^rogress  of  events  in  Japan  is  well  known.  The  openings  which  now 
present  themselves  for  mission  work  are  more  than  the  missionary  force 
on  the  groiand  can  take  advantage  of.  It  is  ah'eady  recognized  among 
the  people  of  Japan  that  the  old  superstitions  of  the  land  are  passing- 
away.  The  (]^uestion  of  the  hour  is  whether  infidelity  from  the  west, 
or  Christianity  from  the  west  shaU  take  their  place.  Japan  is  uatui'ally 
a  sanitarium  for  our  China  mission.  The  missionaries  in  Japan  lu'gently 
ajjpeal  to  oui*  Church  to  enter  the  field  with  them.  Six  hiuidi-ed  dol- 
lars have  been  oftered  the  committee  for  the  establishment  of  the  mis- 
sion. Your  committee  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  the  next 
mission  field  which  this  Church  should  enter  is  Japan. 

1885,  p.  418.  In  regard  to  the  oveiiirre  from  Chesapeake  Presby- 
teiy,  your  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions  recommends  the  approval 
of  the  first  request  in  said  overture,  viz. :  that  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Foreign  Missions  be  authorized  to  establish  a  mission  in  Japan  and 
in  the  valley  of  the  Amazon,  when  m  their  judgment  the  way  is  clear. 
Adopted. 

1886,  p.  35.  Tlie  field  of  operations  has  been  enlarged  by  the  addi- 
tion of  a  Japanese  mission  to  the  number  of  those  previously  admin- 
istered by  the  executive  committee.  Koclii  has  been  selected  as  the 
station,  and  Eevs.  E.  E.  McAlpine  and  E.  B.  Grinnan,  with  Mrs.  Grin- 
nan,  have  been  sent  out  to  found  the  mission. 

252.  Africd. 

1865,  p.  872.  The  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  is  espe- 
cially aiithorized  to  direct  their  attention  to  Africa  as  a  field  oi  mis- 
sionaiy  labor  peculiarly  appropriate  to  this  Church,  and  with  this  ^•iew, 
to  secure,  as  soon  as  practicable,  missionaries  from  among  the  African 
race  on  this  continent,  who  may  bear  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  to 
the  homes  of  their  ancestors. 

1881,  p.  361.  Mesoh'cd,  That  in  view  of  facts  recently  discovered 
respecting  the  resoiu-ces,  the  highways,  the  people,  and  the  prospects  of 
the  great  continent  of  Africa,  this  Assembly  authorizes  the  executive 
committee  to  establish  a  mission  in  Africa  whenever  in  theii'  discretion 
the  way  is  made  clear,  provided  that  this  measure  shall  not  interfere 
with  the  support  of  other  missions  already  established,  nor  prevent  the 
extinction  in  a  reasonable  time  of  the  debt  ah^eady  incurred  by  the  com- 
mittee. 

In  1885  the  connnittee  recommended  that,  instead  of  Africa,  a  mis- 
sion be  undertaken  to  Japan,  which  was  done. 

253.   Thv  Jeirs. 

1873,  p.  306.  An  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Sao  Paulo,  asking 
the  Generiil  Assemljly  to  consider  the  religious  condition  of  the  Jews, 
and  to  put  forth  some  eiibrt  to  bring  them  to  Christ.  The  committee 
recommend  that  this  overture  be  referred  to  the  Executive  Committee 
on  Foreign  Missions. 

1874,  p.  5i)8.  liesolccd,  That  the  Assembly  appreciates  the  foi*ce 
of  the  scruples  which  have  deterred  the  executive  committee  from  em- 
barking in  the  attempt  to  found  a  mission  among  the  Jewish  race,  and 
while  cherishing  the  hoi)e  that  the  way  may  ultimately  be  opened  for 


126  Digest  of  the  Acts  or  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

our  Church  to  take  part  in  the  effort  to  restore  "the  lost  sheep  of  the 
house  of  Israel "  to  the  Shepherd's  fold,  yet,  in  the  absence  of  a  clear 
call  at  the  present  time  to  engage  in  that  effort,  would  hmit  its  agency 
to  the  dissemination  of  such  information,  through  the  columns  of  The 
Missionary  or  otherwise,  as  may  educate  the  mind  of  oiu'  people  to  a 
l^roper  apprehension  of  the  claims  of  that  work. 

254.  Amount  of  money  called  for  by  the  committee. 

In  1861  the  committee  estimated  its  wants  at  f  20,000  and  called  for  that  much. 
In  1871  the  Assembly  made  an  appeal  for  f  50, 000  ;  in  1872,  for  f  GO,  000  ;  in  1876 
for  $75,000  ;  in  1882  for  $100,000  ;  in  1886  for  $85,000. 


CHAPTER  II. 

HOME   MISSIONS. 

255.   Some  account  of  the  Southwestern  Advisory  Committee  of 
Domestic  Missions. 

1861,  p.  49.  Extract  from  a  report  of  this  committee  to  the  General 
Assembly : 

The  Southwestern  Advisory  Committee  was  created  by  an  order  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  1859.  It  did  not,  however,  go  into  active 
operation  until  November  of  that  year.  The  first  annual  report,  clos- 
ing March  1,  1860,  and  embracing  of  course  only  the  proceedings  of 
four  months,  was  presented  through  the  parent  board  to  the  Assembly 
of  1860.  The  second  annual  report,  covering  an  entire  year,  was  through 
the  same  channel  laid  before  the  Assembly  of  1861.  Upon  its  exami- 
nation, the  receipts  from  March  1,  1860,  to  March  1,  1861,  will  be 
found  to  be  $15,580.69;  which,  with  a  balance  of  $9,536.16,  remaining 
in  the  treasury  at  the  commencement  of  the  fiscal  year,  made  the  cash 
resources  of  the  year  $25,116.85. 

Since  the  first  of  March,  1861,  the  receipts  to  November  1,  1861,  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  statement  of  the  treasurer  herewith  submitted, 
have  amounted  to  $4,490.37. 

From  the  printed  report  of  March  last,  it  will  be  seen  that  thh^ty- 
eight  missionaries  remained  in  commission  at  that  date.  Since  then, 
ni/ie  have  been  re-commissioned,  and  iiliic  from  different  causes  have 
withdrawn.  Eleven  new  commissions  have  been  issued ;  so  that  the 
number  dependent  upon  the  committee  for  support  is  substantially  the 
same  as  eight  months  ago. 

After  the  extraordinary  action  taken  in  May  last  by  the  old  Assem- 
bly, and  war  had  drawn  its  bars  and  closed  the  gates  of  all  commimi- 
cation  between  the  North  and  the  South,  no  other  course  was  left  the 
committee  but  to  assume  the  independent  management  of  this  great 
interest  of  the  Church,  without  reference  any  longer  to  the  parent 
b(jard  at  Philadelphia,  to  which  hitherto  it  has  been  amenable.  Nor 
can  we  fail  to  notice  the  wonderful  manner  in  which  God  pre}>ared  and 
equipped  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Chm-ch  for  the  storm  which  has 
so  recently  bm-st  over  our  heads,  in  the  creation  of  this  agency,  without 


Secs.  256,  257.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chubch.  127 

which  the  work  of  Domestic  Missions  upon  oui-  extended  frontier  must 
have  been  brought  abruptly  to  a  close,  and  many  faithful  laborers, 
without  a  warning,  would  have  been  cast  loose  upon  the  world,  -vvith- 
out  visible  prospect  of  support  for  themselves  and  theii*  suffering 
famihes. 

This  report  was  signed  by  the  following  as  executive  committee :  B. 
M.  Palmer,  R.  Mclnnis,  I.  J.  Henderson,  S.  B.  Newman,  J .  A.  Maybin, 
W.  C.  Black,  F.  Stringer,  and  H.  Thomas,  Jr.,  and  was  adopted  by  the 
Assembly. 

1861,  p.  12.  The  entire  number  of  laborers  aided  by  this  advisoiy 
board  during  18G0  and  1861  was  seventy-two. 

1861,  p.  20.  Hesolved,  2,  The  Assembly  cordially  approves  the  ac- 
tion oi  the  C(jmmittee  in  conducting  their  operations  for  the  past  eight 
months,  without  reference  to  the  Board  of  Missions  at  Philadelphia, 
thereby  continuing  our  missionaries  in  the  field  without  embarrass- 
ment, and  also  d)  cordially  commend  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with  which 
they  have  discharged  the  trusts  assumed  by  them. 

8,  That  the  Assembly  accepts  the  trusts  surrendered  to  it  by  the 
committee,  and  requests  the  committee  to  turn  over  to  the  Assembly's 
Committee  on  Domestic  Missions  all  its  books,  papers,  accounts  and 
funds,  and  missionaries,  so  soon  as  that  committee  shall  be  appointed 
and  located  by  the  Assembly,  and  the  said  transfer  and  receipt  for  the 
same  to  be  formally  entered  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Assembly's  com- 
mittee. 

256.    Co.'is'itution  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Domestic  Missions 
171  the  Confederate  States  of  America. 

1861,  p.  2U.  The  constitution  a.loptsci  for  this  committee  and  this  branch  of 
the  Church's  work  is,  inutntis  mut'indis,  entirely  similar  in  its  provisions  to  that 
adopted  for  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions.  In  phraseology  they 
ai'e  almost  word  for  word  alike.     The  location  of  the  committee  is  New  Orleans.  — A. 

257.   The  secretary  allowed  to  change  the  location  of  the  committee. 

18(52,  p.  18.  Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  Domestic  Missions  be, 
and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  select  any  place  of  temporary  residence 
in  the  Confederate  States  where,  in  his  judgment,  he  can  best  accom- 
plish the  work  which  he  is  commissioned  to  perform ;  and  whenever 
the  secretarv  shall  determine  his  temporary  location,  the  thi'ee  nearest 
ministers  shall  bo  associated  with  him  as  a  committee  ad  interim,  with 
which  they  shall  associate  three  laymen  as  integral  members  thereof, 
and,  for  the  time  buing,  the  whole  of  the  jiowers  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee shall  devolve  on  the  committee  ad  interim.  This  committee, 
moreover,  shall  be  authorized  to  appoint  a  treasurer  pro  tern.  In  case 
the  secretary  shall  find  it  necessary  to  change  his  location  again,  he 
shall  be  clothed  with  like  power. 

1863,  p.  158.  In  pursuance  with  the  above  resolution,  the  secretary  removed 
the  seat  of  his  oparations  to  Athens,  Ga.,  a  change  from  New  Orleans  having  been 
made  necessary  by  the  fall  of  New  Orleans  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The 
committoc  there  organized  consisted  of  llev.  N.  Ho^t,  D.  D.,  chairman;  Wm.  L. 
MitchoU,  Esq.,  treasurer;  Rev.  Henrj^  Saflford,  Rsv.  Henry  Newton,  Hon.  Joseph 
H.  Lumpkin,  and  A.  M.  Scudder,  Esq. 

B}'  the  approach  of  autumn,  experience  had  shown  that  the  remoteness  of  Athens 
from  the  great  thoroughfares,  and  the  want  of  commercial  facilities  for  the  trans- 
mission of  funds,  was  a  serious  drawback  upon  the  successful  prosecution  of  the 


128  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

work  from  that  poiut,  and  it  was  therefore  thought  best  to  chauge  the  seat  of  oper- 
ations to  IMoutgomery,  Ala.  This  chauge  was  effected  early  in  November,  and  a 
committee  organized,  consisting  of  the  Eev.  G.  H.  W.  Petrie,  D.  D.,  chairman; 
Rev.  G.  K.  Foster  and  Eev.  J.  K.  Hazen,  and  Messrs.  John  Whiting.  Walter  Smith, 
W.  B.  Bell,  and  Israel  W.  Roberts,  treasurer,  and  member  ex  officio. 

258.    GoiisolidaU'd  until  the  Foreign  Mlsslnaiu-[/  (Joiiiiulttcc. 

1864,  p.  278.  The  committee,  secretary,  and  treasurer  appointed  for 
Foreigii  Missions  were  also  appointed  for  Domestic  Missions,  and  Colum- 
bia, S.  C,  was  made  the  seat  of  their  operations. 

259.    Church   extension. 

1861,  p.  35.  Hesolve.J,  That  in  view  of  the  service  rendered  by  the 
action  of  the  Church  Extension  Committee,  as  organized  tmder  the  Old 
Assembly,  and  the  importance  of  continuing"  to  extend  aid  to  feeble 
chm'ches  in  erecting  church  edifices,  the  duties  of  that  committee  be 
put  in  charge  of  the  Committee  on  Domestic  Missions,  until  otherwise 
ordered  by  the  General  Assembly.  (See  by-laws  adopted  for  the  Com- 
mittee of  Sustentation  in  1868.) 

260.    Chaplains  and  the  army. 

1861,  p.  18.  A  report  from  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtiu'es, 
recommending  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a  respectful 
memorial  to  Congress,  urging  the  importance  of  suitable  persons  as 
chaplains  in  the  army,  and,  in  order  to  secure  the  greatest  benefit  pos- 
sible from  their  services,  that  they  be  allowed  a  sufficient  salary  for 
theii"  support,  and  a  rank  that  shall  command  respect,  was,  after  dis- 
cussion, laid  upon  the  table. 

1862,  p.  18.  liesolred,  That  the  secretary  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  in- 
structed to  do  all  that  he  may  judge  expedient  to  secure  the  appointment 
of  suitable  c-haplains  in  our  army,  using  personal  efforts  with  the  authori- 
ties of  the  Government,  but  in  aU  cases,  wherever  practicable,  confer- 
ring with  the  Presbyteries  as  to  the  selectit>n  of  the  candidates  for  the 
office. 

1868,  p.  139.  liesolred,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  active 
men  of  this  Confederacy  are  in  the  army,  are  to  a  great  extent  without 
the  ministry  of  the  Word,  and  in  many  instances  are  longing  for  the 
stated  ordinances  of  the  gospel,  there  is  an  imperative  need  of  a  fuU 
and  regular  su})ply  of  chaplains  throughout  the  service  :  and,  therefore, 
that  we  proceed  to  establish  the  office  of  ccmnnissioner  from  this  As- 
sembly to  each  of  the  grand  armies  of  the  Confederacy,  the  duties  of 
these  officers  being:  (1,)  to  labor  as  chaplains;  (2,)  to  select  with  great 
care,  and  secure  other  chaplains  for  the  arm}',  by  correspondenc-e  with 
ministers  and  Presbyteries,  with  the  Executive  Committee  of  Missions, 
and  with  colonels  of  z'egiments;  (3,)  to  procure  these  chaplains  com- 
missions, and  to  open  their  wa}'  as  strangers  to  the  different  camps; 
(4,)  to  welcome  and  employ  other  ministers  on  temporary  visits  to  the 
anny,  and  to  give  them  opportunities  of  usefulness:  (5,)  to  cix'culate 
books  and  tracts,  and  to  organize  this  species  of  labor:  and  lastly,  in 
all  respects  to  organize  the  work,  that  our  Church,  under  God,  may  be 
put  in  possession  of  prompt  opportunities  of  doing  good  in  this  inter- 
esting field  of  labor. 


Sec.  '2G0.]  The  Agexcies  of  the  Chitech.  120 

lii.solred,  That  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy  be  hereby  appointed  such  a 
commissioner  for  the  army  of  Vii-ginia :  that  the  Rev.  B.  M.  Pahner, 
D.  D.,  having  offered  to  do  service  in  the  "West,  on  his  own  charges,  if, 
he  be  left  to  some  measure  of  discretion  in  respect  to  the  length  of 
time,  be  most  cordially  accepted  in  this  offer  of  his  labor,  and  be  com- 
missioner, provisionally,  to  the  army  oi  Tennessee ;  that  the  executive 
committee  have  liberty  to  appoint  another  commissi(jner  to  each  of  the 
other  great  armies  of  the  Confederacy ;  that  the  salaiy  of  this  office  be 
not  less  than dollars ;  that  those  whom  we  appoint  to  it  be  en- 
couraged to  seek  regular  connuissious  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate 
States,  provided  that  they  can  make  it  certain  that  they  will  be  de- 
tached to  the  more  general  duty ;  that  the  executive  committee  be 
charged  to  collect  and  pay  over  their  stipulated  support,  and  that  the 
churches  be  enjoined  to  give  hberally  t(j  supply  this  department  of  our 
missionary  treasiuy. 

Itesoli'ed,  That  other  Chi'istian  denominations  are  incited  to  join 
with  us  in  this  effort  for  organized  labor  in  the  army,  and  that  we  in- 
vite commissioners  from  other  evangelical  bodies  to  be  associated  with 
om's,  in  an  attem})t  to  seciu'e  at  least  one  suitable  chaplain  for  each 
brigade  in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy. 

liesoh't-il^  That  our  Presbyteries  can  greatly  assist  in  the  supply  of 
the  army  by  designating  such  of  their  own  number  as,  in  their  judg- 
ment, would  be  best  fitted,  and  can  be  procured  for  the  chaplaincy,  or 
for  temporaiy  missionary  service. 

1864,  p.  315.  It  was  not  intended  that  these  commissioners  should  exercise  any 
kind  of  ecclesiastical  control  over  their  brethren  in  the  same  field,  but  simply  to 
advise  and  aid  them  to  get  into  positions  where  they  coTild  be  most  useful,  and 
where  the  general  object  of  the  undertaking  could  be  most  effectually  secured. 
The  experience  of  the  committee  fully  demonstrates  the  wisdom  of  the  Assembly 
in  ordering  these  appointments  to  be  made.  In  consequence  of  the  studied  reti- 
cence of  the  government  in  relation  to  the  organization  and  disposititm  of  the 
army,  and  the  constant  changes  .which  result  from  shifting  different  portions  of  it 
from  one  place  to  another,  it  would  be  impossible  for  the  committee,  remote  as  it 
is  from  the  centre  of  ojierations,  to  conduct  its  measures  with  prudence  and  wis- 
dom without  such  agents  to  keep  them  iuff)rmed  of  the  actual  state  of  things. 

Mr.  Lacy  soon  found  that  he  coiild  not  attend  to  the  whole  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  and  Rev.  Theodorick  Pryor,  D.  D.,  was  appointed  commissioner 
to  the  first  corps,  leaving  the  second  and  tliird  to  Mr.  Lacy.  At  the  same  time, 
John  N.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  was  appointed  commissioner  to  the  Army  of  Mississippi; 
Drury  Lacy,  D.  D.,  to  the  Army  of  Eastern  North  Carolina  and  South-eastern  Vir- 
ginia ;  Rev.  John  Douglas,  to  the  Army  of  South  Carolina ;  Rev.  Ruf us  K.  Porter, 
to  the  Army  of  Southern  Georgia  and  Northern  Florida ;  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Smith, 
to  the  Army  of  the  trans-Mississippi  department.  Dr.  Lacy  was  prevented  by  ill 
health  from  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  the  army  in  that  part  of  the 
country  became  so  much  reduced,  soon  after,  that  it  did  not  seem  necessary  for 
any  one  to  be  appointed  to  take  his  place.  Dr.  Palmer,  after  a  few  montlis'  active 
labor  in  the  Army  of  Tennessee,  was  compelled,  by  providential  circumstances,  to 
leave  his  field  of  labor  and  return"  home.  Rev.  William  Flinn,  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Hopewell,  Georgia,  and  who  had  been  in  the  service  as  chaplain  almost  from 
the  beginning  of  the  war.  was  appointed  to  fill  the  jilace  vacated  by  Dr.  Palmer, 
which  he  has  continued  to  do  with  much  acceptance  since  that  time. 

The  committee  resolved  to  try  to  have  one  chaplain  or  permanent  missionary 
from  our  Church  in  every  brigade  throughout  the  C'onfederate  Army,  besides  a 
propoitionate  number  of  laborers  for  the  various  hospitals  scattered  over  the  land. 
At  the  same  time  they  resolved  to  make  the  effort  to  raise  the  funds  necessary  not 
only  to  give  a  fiiU  support  to  those  who  might  engage  as  missionaries,  but  to  sup- 
plement the  salai-ies  of  all  those  who  held  commissions  as  chaplains,  it  being  known 
that  the  government  allowance  was  entirely  insufficient  for  their  support.  In  order 
to  carry  out  this  general  jilan,  it  was  understood  that  it  would  require  at  least  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  laborers,  more  than  one-fourth  of  our  whole  ministerial 

9 


130  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Gener.\l  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

force  outside  of  the  enemj-'s  lines,  aud  at  least  !j8,l)00  per  mouth,  or  something 

like  SfilOOjOUU  per  auuum 

Under  this  new  arrangement,  commencing  in  the  autumn,  one  hundred  and  one 
•  names  have  been  enrolled  on  the  list  of  the  committee,  all  of  whom  fall  i;uder  the 
general  arrangement,  and  all  of  whoni,  with  a  few  exceptions,  are  to  receive  their 
support,  in  jaart  or  in  whole,  from  the  contributions  from  the  churches.  Of  this 
nrimber,  21  are  connected  with  the  Synod  of  Virginia;  14  with  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina;  17  with  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  ;  15  with  the  Synod  of  Georgia;  6 
with  the  Synod  of  Alabama;  13  with  the  Synod  of  Mississii)pi ;  2  with  the  Synod 
of  Memi^his ;  1  mth  the  Synod  of  Texas ;  3  with  the  Synod  of  Nashville.  Of  the 
whole  number,  36  are  laboring  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia ;  12  in  the  Army 
of  Tennessee;  9  on  the  coast  of  South  Carolina;  5  in  Southern  Georgia  aud  East 
Florida;  3  in  Eastern  North  Carolina,  and  22  in  the  hospitals  of  Virginia,  Georgia, 
and  Mississippi.  Besides  those  acting  in  connection  with  the  committee,  there  are 
thirty  or  more  ministers  of  our  Church  holding  commissions  as  chaplains,  or  sup- 
jjorted  by  Presbyteries  or  private  beueticeuce,  making  the  whole  number  of  Pres- 
byterian ministers  now  in  the  army  about  13U.  The  committee  can  have  no  con- 
trol over  the  location  of  those  who  hold  commissions  under  the  government;  but 
they  can  arrange  those  who  act  as  missionaries  so  as  to  secure,  as  far  as  possible, 
an  equal  distribution  of  ministerial  labor  throughoi;t  the  whole  army. 

1864,  p.  278.  The  Assembly,  re-asserting  the  high  imi^ortance  and  superior  in- 
terest of  the  armies  of  the  Confederate  States  as  fields  of  missionary  labor  dm-ing 
the  war,  and  bidding  the  execiitive  committee  God-speed  in  their  laudable  exertions 
to  occui^y  it  more  fully,  instruct  them — 

(1,)  To  sjaare  no  reasonable  pains  and  exi^ense  to  send  a  special  commissioner  to 
the  department  of  trans-Mississippi,  to  assist  any  laborers  now  in  that  field. 

(2,)  To  make  a  judicious  distribution  of  the  ministers  in  their  employ  between 
the  work  of  the  commissioned  chaplain  and  the  permanent  missionary,  giving  the 
larger  number  to  the  former  work,  yet  so  as  to  retain  the  advantages  of  both  sys- 
tems, and  to  distribute  their  aid  in  such  manner  as  to  seciu-e,  if  possible,  one  minis- 
ter of  our  Church  in  each  brigade  of  the  armies. 

The  Assembly  earnestly  advises  all  Presbyteries,  as  to  those  labors  which  they  may 
attempt  for  the  armies,  so  to  jserform  them  in  concert  with  the  executive  committee 
and  secretary,  that  the  whole  force  of  the  Church  may  have  unity  and  connection ; 
and  that,  instead  of  dissipating  the  efforts  of  many  ministers  in  temjiorary  services, 
often  evanescent  in  their  effect,  such  number  of  their  members  as  the  great  work 
may  demand,  well  chosen  for  energy  and  zeal,  be  released  for  the  service  of  these 
missions,  and  the  remainder  render  their  indirect  aid  by  suppljang  the  charges  of 
these  during  their  absence.  But  the  Assemblj'  does  by  no  means  depreciate  the 
usefulness  of  even  the  shortest  visits  of  pastors  to  the  troojDS,  and  encourages  all  to 
undertake  them  as  they  have  opportunity. 

The  Assembly  returns  devout  thanks  to  God  for  his  wonderful  works  of  grace  in 
the  armies,  in  which,  we  are  informed,  twelve  thousand  souls,  during  the  last  year, 
are  supposed  to  have  made  a  hopeful  profession  of  faith  in  Christ. 

The  Assembly,  having  engaged  in  frequent  and  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  inter- 
cede for  our  brave  soldiers  and  their  ofticers  and  commanding  generals,  does  ear- 
nestly exhort  all  the  ministers,  chiirches,  and  people,  in  like  manner,  to  constant 
supplications  in  the  same  behalf. 

This  last  resolution  was  adopted  in  view  of  the  request  made  in  behalf  of  General 
E.  E.  Lee  for  the  prayers  of  the  Assembly  and  the  Church,  in  view  of  his  great  re- 
sponsibilities as  the  commander  of  one  of  our  iorinci2)al  armies.     (P.  251. ) 

1865,  p.  390.  The  work  in  the  army,  to  which  the  attention  of  the  committee 
was  mainly  directed,  was  carried  on  with  systematic  efiicieucy,  and  jierhaps  with  as 
important  results  as  those  of  any  previous  year.  More  than  one  hiuidred  mission- 
ary laborers  were  commissioned  during  the  year,  nine-tenths  of  whom  were  in  active 
service  for  longer  or  shorter  periods,  and  all  of  whom  received  their  support,  in  part 
or  whole,  from  the  contributions  of  the  churches.  "What  number  were  in  actual  ser- 
vice at  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  our  two  main  armies  is  not  certainly  known, 
but  perha])s  more  than  fifty.  A  large  proportion  of  these  l)rethren  had  been  con- 
nected with  the  army  for  periods  varying  from  two  to  four  years,  and  performed 
labors  and  endm-ed  hardships  which  perhajis  will  never  be  fully  understood  in  this 
present  life.  The  churches,  to  the  last,  were  exceedingly  generous  in  their  contri- 
butions, and  at  no  tune  was  the  work  retarded  for  the  want  of  funds.  Thousands 
of  our  beloved  soldiers  were  converted  through  the  instrumentality  of  these  la- 
bors. 


Secs.  261-263.]  The  Agexcies  of  the  Chuech.  131 

261.  Kon-co-operatiiKj  Presbyteries  urged  to  help  mid  report. 

1868,  p.  139.  Resolved,  That  those  Presbyteries  which  conduct  the 
work  of  Domestic  ^lissions  f(jr  themselves,  and  are  situated  in  the  por- 
tions of  the  Confederacy  best  supplied  with  the  gospel,  should  not  be 
content  with  pi'oviding  for  their  own  spiritual  wants,  but  ai'e  enjoined 
to  remember  those  elsewhere  who  are  destitute  of  the  ordmances  of 
God's  house,  and  to  send  a  proper  portion  of  their  funds  to  the  treasury'- 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Domestic  Missions,  to  be  expended  by 
them  in  extending  the  gospel ;  and  this  whole  cause  is  anew  commended 
to  the  liberality  of  the  Church. 

Hesolrcd,  2,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  furnish  to  the  sec- 
retary of  the  executive  committee  an  annual  statement  of  their  efforts 
in  this  cause,  including  the  missionaries  employed  and  the  funds  ex- 
pended for  their  support. 

1880,  p.  208.  The  Assembly  being  persuaded  that  the  efficiency  of 
this  arm  of  ser\'ice  largely  depends  upon  its  intimate  contact  with  the 
mind  and  heart  of  the  Church  at  large,  earnestly  invites  the  co-operation 
of  all  the  Presbyteries  with  the  executive  committee  in  the  prosecution 
■of  its  work. 

1885,  p.  421.  The  attention  of  the  Assembly  is  called  to  the  follow- 
ing clause  in  the  Assembly's  Home  Mission  Manual,  p.  8: 

"If  any  Presbytery  shall  insist  upon  managing  its  own  Avork  in  sepa- 
ration from  the  executive  committee,  the  General  Assembly  does  not 
enjoin  upon  such  Presbytery  to  send  all  the  moneys  raised  to  the  central 
■committee,  provided  that  a  collection  shall  be  taken  in  all  its  churches 
ior  the  work  committed  to  the  Home  Mission  Committee."  The  com- 
xaittee  asks  the  Assembly  tcj  call  the  attention  of  those  Presbyteries 
which  conduct  their  work  separately  to  this  clause  in  the  Manual,  and 
ui-ge  upon  them  that  the  unity  of  the  Church  and  the  imperative  needs 
of  the  cause  seem  to  call  loudly  upon  them  to  comply  with  this  wish  of 
the  Assembly. 

262.    The  treasurer's  ((crotoits,  hon'  aiiditt^d. 

1864,  p.  278.  That  the  Assembly  appoint  annually  a  committee  of 
three,  unconnected  with  the  executive  connnittee,  to  audit  till  the  ac- 
counts of  the  treasurer;  that  it  be  made  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to 
Lave  the  report  of  these  auditors  endorsed  upon  his  account  before  lay- 
ing it  before  the  Assembly ;  and  that  the  auditing  committee  for  the 
ensuing  year  consist  of  Messrs.  John  Crawford,  of  Columbia,  E.  Nye 
Hutchison,  of  Charlotte,  and  Jas.  R.  Aiken,  of  Winnsboro. 

263.    The  treasurers  sa>ari/  and  Jxmd. 

1864,  p.  278.  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed  to  pay  a 
suitable  salary  to  the  treasurer,  and  to  require  of  him  a  bond  of  ten 
thousand  dollars  to  the  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  with  good 
securities,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  trust. 

This  is  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  treasurer.  Prof.  Woodrow,  gave  his  services 
the  past  year  without  compensation,  both  for  this  dcpartnieut  and  that  of  Foreign 
Missions,  for  which  generous  and  disinterested  conduct  the  Assembly  returned  suit- 
able thanks.      (1863,  p.  140.) 

The  Assembly  of  1887  (p.  237)  declined  to  order  any  change  in  the 
amount  of  the  treasurer's  bond. 


132  Digest  or  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

264.  A  Sustentation  scheme. 
1865,  p.  391.     Extract  from  report  of  executive  committee : 

The  restoration  of  our  crippled  and  broken  down  clinrehes  is  undoubtedly  the  ob- 
ject which  claims  the  immediate  and  earnest  attention  of  this  Assembly.  These 
chiirches  are  to  be  found  in  everj'  section  of  our  coxintry  that  has  been  occupied  for 
any  length  of  time  by  Northern  soldiers,  and  especially  along  the  broad  track  of 
those  desolating  marches  that  were  made  through  most  of  the  central  Southern 
States.  Wherever  the  armies  have  gone  the  countrj'  has  been  desolated,  the  people 
have  been  impoverished,  and  in  the  great  majority  of  cases,  the  sanctuaries  of  the 
living  God  have  either  been  entirely  destroyed,  or  so  much  injured  as  to  be  unfit 
for  use.  In  many  places  our  people  are  not  only  without  houses  in  which  to  wor- 
ship, but  are  withoiit  ministers  to  break  to  them  the  bread  of  life.  Some  of  our 
ablest  and  most  earnest  ministers  have  been  compelled  to  betake  themselves  to 
school-keeping  or  some  other  secular  employment,  in  order  to  provide  their  families 
with  the  means  of  subsistence.  Worse  than  all,  in  the  very  midst  of  this  distress 
and  i^rostration,  an  enemy  threatens  to  invade  our  borders,  sow  dissensions  among 
our  people,  and  gather  our  flocks  into  folds  which  they  have  not  known.  If  ever 
there  was  occasion  for  the  people  of  God  to  ralty  as  one  man,  and  put  forth  all 
their  energies  with  imited  front  against  those  who  are  seeking  to  divide  and  destroy, 
the  present  is  that  occasion 

What  seems  especially  necessary  at  the  present  time,  in  the  judgment  of  your 
committee,  to  rally  the  whole  Southern  Church,  and  bring  out  all  her  disjiosable 
resources,  is  to  bring  forward  some  feasible  plan  by  which  their  gifts  may  be 
brought  together  and  be  laid  out  wisely  and  jiidicioiislj'  in  relieving  the  distresses 
of  the  suffering  churches.  The  committee,  therefore,  would  recommend  the  ap- 
pointment of  what  may  be  called  a  Sustentation  Committee,  somewhat  after  the 
plan  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  raise  and  disburse 
funds  in  connection  with  this  great  object.  That  committee  need  consist  only  of  a 
chairman,  a  secretary,  and  one  commissioner  from  each  Synod.  Let  it  be  the  duty 
of  the  chairman,  or  secretary,  to  occupy  some  central  position  in  the  country,  from 
which  he  can  have  easy  access  to  the  chiirches  and  the  commissioners,  and  for  the 
time  being  have  the  general  direction  of  affairs.  Let  it  be  the  duty  of  the  com- 
missioners to  canvass  their  respective  Synods,  ascertain  what  churches  are  needing 
helj),  what  ones  are  able  to  contribute,  and  do  all  they  can,  by  corresjjondence  and 
visitation,  to  collect  funds  for  this  general  object.  At  the  expiration  of  three  months, 
or  as  soon  after  as  practicable,  the  secretary  and  the  commissioners  shall  meet  to- 
gether, and  with  all  the  facts  they  have  gathered,  proceed  to  disburse  the  funds  ac- 
cording to  their  best  judgment.  It  would  be  also  well  for  the  Assembly  to  desig- 
nate a  day  when  collections  should  be  taken  up  in  all  the  (churches  for  this  object. 
It  is  not  proposed  that  the  commissioners  should  receive  any  compensation  for  their 
services  further  than  have  their  travelling  expenses  paid.  It  is  confidently  believed 
that  there  are  brethren  in  all  oiir  Synods  who,  if  called  by  the  Assembly  to  this 
work,  would  cheerfully  devote  three  months  to  this  piirj)ose  without  any  pay,  iwc- 
ther  than  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  they  are  engaged  in  a  work  of  mercy. 

If  objection  is  felt  to  the  multiplication  of  agencies  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Assembly,  then  the  same  object  may  be  attained  simply  by  uniting 
the  commissioners  above  mentioned  to  t^ie  Executive  Committee  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions, and  giving  them  the  power  of  committee-men,  so  far  as  this  particular  enter- 
prise is  concerned. 

1865,  p.  370.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  adopt  the  sug- 
gestions of  the  executive  committee  in  relation  to  the  raising  of  a  "  Sus- 
tentation fund  "  for  the  existing  exigencies  of  our  churches,  but  assign 
the  condiict  of  this  agency  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Domestic 
Missions ;  also,  that  a  member  from  each  S^Tiod  be  appointed  to  co- 
operate with  the  general  scheme  set  forth  in  their  report. 

That  Rev.  T.  R.  Welch,  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  be  the  commissioner 
from  the  Synod  of  Arkansas;  Rev.  R.  Nail,  D.  D.,  Tuskegee,  Ala., 
from  the  Synod  of  Alabama ;  Rev.  D.  Wills,  Macon,  Ga.,  from  the 
Synod  of  Georgia;  Rev.  J.  O.  Steadman,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  from  Mem- 
phis; Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  Columbus,  Miss.,  from  Mississij^pi ;  Rev. 
W.  E.  CaldweU,  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  from  NashviUe;  Rev.  J.  Rumple,  Salis- 


Sec.  265.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  133 

bmy,  N.  C,  from  North  Carolina;  Rev.  S.  A.  King,  Milford,  Texas, 
from  Texas;  and  Rev.  J.  D.  Mitchell,  D.  D.,  Lj-uchbiu-g,  Va.,  from 
Virginia. 

That  the  General  Assembly  order  collections  in  behalf  of  the  Susten- 
tation  fund  to  be  made  in  all  oui'  churches  on  the  second  Sabbath  of 
February  next,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable ;  and  that  the  pro- 
ceeds be  forwarded  immediately  to  the  treasurer  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee, Professor  James  Woodrow,  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  or  to  the  Sy- 
nodical  commissioners. 

188G,  p.  44.     From  the  executive  committee's  report : 

The  appointment  of  Synodical  commissioners  to  act  in  concert  ^\•ith  the  commit- 
tee proved  to  be  a  wise  and  judicious  measure.  In  no  other  Avay  would  it  have 
been  possible,  either  to  hiive  ascertained  the  condition  and  wants  of  brethren,  or 
to  have  distributed  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  connnittee  in  a  just  and  equitable 
manner.  ]^y  vigorous  and  persevering  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  commissioners, 
the  whole  tield  was  thoroughly  explored,  the  condition  and  wants  of  every  destitute 
brother  accurately  ascertaineil,  and  the  committee  was  thus  enaljled,  in  view  of  all 
the  circumstances  f)f  the  case,  not  only  to  distribute  the  fund  under  their  control 
in  the  most  equitable  manner,  but,  so  far  as  is  known,  to  give  universal  satisfac- 
tion, and  at  the  same  time  relieve  an  immense  amount  of  suffering.  The  commis- 
sioners, without  (!xccption,  discharged  their  duties  A\'ith  zeal,  energy,  and  lidelity; 
and  they  deserve  the  thanks  of  the  whole  Church 

The  sums  of  money  ajipropriated  to  the  relief  of  brethren  have  varied  from  $50 
and  uuchn-  to  *3()().  The  whole  number  who  have  received  aid  from  the  Sustenta- 
tiou  fund,  iiududing  sixteen  families  of  deceased  ministers,  is  upwards  of  two  hun- 
dred and  twentv.  The  whole  amount  laid  out  in  this  department  was  upwards  of 
$23,(J0U. 

265.  Bourd  of  Aid  for  /SoNt/icrn  P)-esJ)yterhni  Pastors. 

1865,  p.  353.  A  letter  was  received  by  the  moderator  from  James 
H.  Huber,  Esq.,  secretaiy  ajid  treasurer  of  the  "Board  of  Aid  for 
Southern  Presbyterian  Pastors,"  located  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  introducing 
Rev.  R.  Morrison,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  who  was  authorized 
to  explam  to  the  Assembly  the  plans  and  purposes  and  hopes  of  that 
organization. 

P.  355.  Rev.  R.  Morrison,  on  being  introduced,  laid  before  the  As- 
sembly a  salutatory  letter  from  the  above-named  board,  which  stated 
that  already  $G,00t)  had  been  raised  for  the  purposes  of  the  board,  and 
asked  that  the  brethren  of  the  Assembly  be  joined  together  with  one 
heart  in  this  Avork.  It  furthermore  asked  the  Assembly  to  appt)int  one 
or  more  brethren  from  each  Presbytery,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  cor- 
respond with  this  board  and  indicate  as  to  whom  our  offerings  of  love 
shall  be  sent.  This  letter  evinced  the  earnest  desire  of  the  board  to 
meet  promptly  and  efficiently  the  needs  of  the  numerous  indigent  pas- 
tors within  the  bounds  of  the  Southern  Church.     (Cimdensed.) 

Mr.  ^Morrison  having  further  addressed  the  Assembly  on  his  mission, 
and  the  Assembly  having  expressed  its  great  satisfaction  at  his  presence 
and  voted  its  sincere  thanks  for  his  able  and  interesting  addi'ess,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  adojited: 

P.  370.  That  the  General  Assembly  express  their  proftnmd  gratifica- 
tion at  the  manifestation  of  Christian  sympathy  and  kindness  on  the 
pai't  of  our  brethren  in  Kentucky,  as  exhibited  in  their  fraternal  letter 
to  this  body,  and  in  the  name  of  the  great  INIaster,  theirs  and  ours,  ac- 
cept their  generous  tender  of  aid  in  ministering  to  the  necessities  of 
our  impoverished  churches.     Further,  that  the  moderator  of  the  Assem- 


134  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

bly  address  a  coiiimunication  to  those  brethi'en,  expressive  of  our  feel- 
ings in  this  regard. 

That  the  General  Assembly  appoint  the  executive  committee  our 
agent  for  receiving  and  disbursing  such  aid  as  may  be  forwarded  to 
them  by  the  Kentucky  Board  of  Aid  for  Southern  Pastors,  and  enjoin 
upon  the  committee  promptness  in  distributing  the  benefaction  accord- 
ing to  the  ui'gency  or  the  necessities  existing  in  the  various  portions  of 
the  country. 

266.  Aid  from  Kentucky  and  Balthnore. 

1868,  p.  286.     Report  of  executive  committee  : 

Of  the  sum  this  year  received  for  Sustentation,  $9, 190. 73  has  been  contribiated 
by  Christian  friends  outside  of  onr  own  connexion,  and  mainly  by  those  residing  in. 
Baltimore  and  vicinity  and  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  The  committee  would  re- 
spectfully suggest  the  duty  and  the  propriety  on  the  part  of  the  Assembly  of  mak-- 
ing  some  formal  acknowledgment  of  their  obligation  to  those  Christian  friends  for 
their  timely,  continued,  and  most  generous  aid.  Duiiug  the  last  two  and  a  half 
years,  more  than  #40,000  of  their  contributions  has  passed  directly  through  the^ 
hands  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation,  and  been  applied  to  the  imme- 
diate wants  of  the  Church;  whilst  their  more  general  contributions  in  food,  cloth- 
ing, and  in  money  for  the  education  of  young  luen,  and  for  the  re-eudowment  of 
oiu'  theological  seminaries,  have  amounted  in  the  aggregate  to  considerablv  more, 
than  f  100,000. 

P.  274.  The  General  Assembly  hereby  gratefully  ackno'v^ledges  the: 
Christian  liberality  hitherto  shown  towards  our  impoverished  people,, 
churches,  and  seminaries,  by  many  known  and  unknown  friends  beyond, 
our  bounds ;  especially  is  this  due  the  S^^nod  of  Kentucky  and  the^ 
Presbyterian  churches  of  Baltimore,  for  their  timely,  continuous,  and. 
most  generous  aid.  The  Assembly  does  not  doubt  that  a  time  will, 
come  when  these  Christian  friends  shall  find  that  in  so  doing  to  the: 
least  of  Christ's  disciples,  they  did  it  unto  him.  They  are  invited  more- 
over  to  behold,  in  the  facts  disclosed  in  the  Annual  Eeport,  the  best, 
evidence  that  their  assistance  has  not  been  given  in  vain.  (See  also- 
1867,  p.  143.) 

267.   The  Southern  Aid  Societij  of  New  York. 

1874,  p.  488.  To  the  Southern  Aid  Society  of  New  York  this  Assem- 
bly tenders  the  expression  of  its  grateful  acknowledgment  for  its  verj' 
timely  and  generous  donation  of  !ei5,525  for  disbursement  by  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Sustentation  for  the  objects  already  named,  and  the: 
co-ordinate  secretary  of  Sustentation  is  herebj'  directed  to  communi- 
cate this  acti(jn  to  that  society. 

P.  531.  Extract  from  report  of  executive  committee  explanatory  of  the  above: 
This  society,  which  was  organized  a  few  years  before  the  late  war,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  rendering  aid  to  feeble  chxirches  in  the  Southern  country,  is  an  incorporated 
body,  and  consists  of  ge7itlemen  of  the  highest  moral  and  social  position.  For  sev- 
eral years  dm-ing  and  .^ubstHpicnt  to  the  war,  the  society  had  no  funds  to  distribiite, 
and  few  functions  to  perform,  but  about  two  years  ago  they  came  into  possession  of 
some  Si<10,000,  devised  to  their  society,  to  be  disbursed  in  accordance  with  their  con- 
stitution. This  fact  having  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Committee  of 
Sustentation,  and  the  further  information  that  the  society  was  anxious  to  disburse 
this  amount  with  tli(>  greatest  intelligence  possible,  so  as  to  secure  the  largest  ulti- 
mate good  to  the  churches,  one  of  the  secretaries  had  an  interview  with  the  execu- 
tive committee  (if  the  society,  the  result  of  which  was  that  tin'  society  agreed  to 
make  its  annual  approiu'iations  with  the  advice  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly's  Connnittee  of  Sustentation.  This  entire  amount  has  been  disbursed 
for  strictly  Sustentation  purposes,  and  in  accordance  with  previoiis  recj^ests  of  the 
chairman  of  the  Presbyterial  committees. 


Sec.  268.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  135 

This  society  the  next  year  appropriated  in  similar  manner  *2,40Q,  for  which 
another  vote  of  thanks  was  made.      (1875,  p.  24.) 

268.    The  Executive  Committee  of  Susteiitation  appointed. 

1866,  p.  9.  A  memorial  from  Rev.  Dr.  Leighton  Wilson,  secretary 
of  Domestic  Missions,  on  the  subject  of  a  change  in  the  name  and  man- 
ner of  working  of  this  whole  department,  was  read  to  the  Assembly. 
(See  p.  49.) 

P.  27.     Thereupon  the  following  was  adopted : 

With  reference  to  the  memorial  presented  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  Leigh- 
ton  Wilson,  which-  was  referred  to  this  committee,  we  beg  leave  re- 
spectfull}'  to  report  that  in  demising  a  plan  and  organizing  an  agency 
for  carrying  on  the  work  of  Domestic  Missions,  it  is  necessary  to  keep 
constantly  in  view  two  essential  principles : 

First,  That  the  Church  of  Christ  is  one  body,  having  one  glorious 
Head,  and  pervaded  and  actuated  by  a  common  divine  spiritual  life. 

Second,  That  it  is  a  free  spiritual  commonwealth,  calling  no  man 
master  on  the  earth ;  but  whose  onl}'  Lord  and  Master  is  in  heaven. 

The  liberty  of  the  Church  is  protected  by  a  written  constitution, 
founded  on  the  Word  of  God,  and  is  also  guarded  by  the  wise  arrange- 
ment of  its  several  courts,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  taught  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures. 

To  the  General  Assembly  it  specially  belongs  to  manifest  and  exem- 
pHfy  the  unity  of  the  Church.  It  is  the  province  of  the  Presbytery  to 
conserve  the  freedom  of  the  Christian  commonwealth,  by  occupying  the 
jDosition  and  performing  the  functions  of  the  chief  executive  agent  in 
conducting  the  whole  work  of  the  Church.  Under  our  constitution,  the 
Presbyteries  have  original  authorit}-  and  jurisdiction  in  the  Lord  over 
all  the  ministei's,  churches,  and  missionary  fields,  within  their  respec- 
tive bounds,  independently  of  all  control,  except  such  as  may  be  exer- 
cised, in  a  regular  and  orderly  manner,  by  the  Synods  and  the  General 
Assembly  over  such  subjects  as  may  be  brought  before  them  in  accord- 
ance with  the  pro%'isions  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church.  To  the 
Presbytery  it  belongs  to  ordain  and  commission  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, to  commit  t<,)  them  the  oversight  of  the  particular  congregations, 
upon  the  call  of  the  people,  and  to  appoint  them,  with  their  own  con- 
sent, to  fields  of  missionary  labor.  It  is  also  the  province  of  the  Pres- 
bytery to  determine  what  part  of  its  territory  is  to  be  regarded  as  mis- 
sionaiy  ground,  and  what  churches  ought  to  receive  assistance  in  main- 
taining their  pastors,  or  in  erecting  houses  of  worship.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  Presbytery  to  superintend  the  work  of  its  missionaries,  to  re- 
ceive their  reports,  and  to  the  Presbytery  alone  are  they  responsible, 
in  the  first  instance,  under  God,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
duties.  It  is  therefore  incumbent  upon  the  Presbyteiy  to  provide  for 
the  worldly  maintenance  of  the  Lords  ministers,  by  seeing  that  the 
churches  fulfil  their-  obligations  to  their  pastors,  to  the  extent  of  their 
ability,  and  also  that  they  make  regular  and  systematic  offerings  to  the 
treasuiy  of  the  Lord  for  the  sup})ort  of  the  ministry  among  those  who 
are  unable  to  provide  for  themselves. 

If  all  the  Presbyteries  were  equally  strong  and  were  all  blessed  alike 
with  the  wealth  of  this  world,  it  would  only  be  necessary  for  each  Pres- 
bytery to  appropriate  the  contributions  of  the  Lord's  people,  in  due 
proportion,  according  to  the  exigencies  of  every  part  oi  the  Held.     But 


136  Digest  or  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

inasmuch  as  there  is  very  great  inequaUty  in  the  strength  and  re- 
sources of  the  different  Pres'b;\'teries,  and  because,  according  to  the  law 
of  the  Hfe  of  the  Chvirch,  it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  the  strong  to  aid 
the  weak,  in  order  that  the  healthful  vigor  of  the  whole  body  may  be 
preserved,  it  becomes  necessaiy  to  have  some  central  agency,  through 
which  the  vital  current  of  the  Church's  life  may  flow  in  due  proportion 
to  every  part,  and  that  all  the  energy,  zeal,  and  resources  of  the  whole 
Church  may  be  combined  in  the  prosecution  of  its  most  important 
work.  This  is  the  office  of  the  General  Assembly ;  but  it  can  only  be 
practically  fulfilled  through  the  agenc}^  of  a  committee.     Be  it  therefore 

Resolved,  That  in  the  place  of  the  present  Executive  Committee  of 
Domestic  Missions,  the  General  Assembly  do  api^oint  a  committee,  to 
be  called  "  The  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation."  It  shall  consist 
of  a  secretary,  who  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  General  Assembly, 
and  shall  be  styled  "  The  Assembly's  Secretary  of  Sustentation,"  and 
who  shall  be  the  organ  of  communication  between  the  Assembly  and 
the  committee,  and  also  between  the  committee  and  all  portions  of  the 
work  intrusted  to  its  care ;  a  treasurer ;  and  nine  other  members,  three 
of  whom  shall  be  ruhng  elders,  all  to  be  appointed  annually  by  the 
General  Assembly,  and  dii-ectly  amenable  to  it  for  the  efficient  dis- 
charge of  their  duties. 

Vacancies  occurring  ad  interim  shall  be  filled,  if  necessaiy,  by  the 
committee.  Any  five  members  l^eing  assembled  shall  constitute  a 
quorum.  This  committee  shall  be  located  for  the  present  at  Colum- 
bia, S.  C.  It  shall  meet  once  a  month,  or  of  tener,  at  the  call  of  the  chair- 
man or  secretary.  It  may  enact  by-laws  for  its  government,  subject  to 
the  revisal  and  approval  of  the  General  Assembly. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  receive  into  its  treasury, 
and  take  the  general  management  of  all  the  funds  contributed  for  Sus- 
tentation, and  to  make  appropriations  and  expenditm'es  of  the  same, 
inchiding  the  salaries  of  its  officers. 

It  shall,  however,  make  no  appropriations  for  the  support  of  any 
pastor  or  missionary  laboring  within  the  bomids  of  any  Presbytery, 
except  upon  the  requisition  of  that  Presbytery  or  its  Committee  of  Do- 
mestic Missions,  and  all  the  appropriations  thus  made  shall  be  based 
upon  the  recommendation  of  the  said  Presbytery  or  its  committee. 

If  at  any  time  the  funds  entrusted  to  the  Assembly's  committee 
should  prove  insufficient  to  meet  in  full  the  demands  of  the  several 
Presbyteries,  it  shall  exercise  a  sound  discretion  in  determining  what 
amount  shall  be  appropriated  to  each,  taking  into  consideration  the 
necessities  of  the  whole  Church,  as  well  as  the  particiilar  circumstances 
of  the  Presbytery  making  the  demand.  Pyoridcd  always,  that  no  ap- 
proiH'iatiou  shall  exceed  a  certain  maximum  amount,  to  be  fixed  by  the 
committee,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly. 

In  the  exercise  of  its  advisory  powers,  it  shall  report  to  the  General 
Assembly  every  year  the  condition  and  wants  of  the  whole  field,  and 
shall  annually  present  to  the  Assembly  an  account  of  its  receipts  and 
exjienditm-es,  together  with  its  minutes,  for  examuiation. 

It  shall  also  communicate  to  the  churches  and  Presb3-teries,  fi'om 
time  to  time, .  such  information  with  reference  to  the  necessities  and 
the  progress  of  the  work  as  will  tend  to  incite  them  to  greater  liberal- 
ity and  more  earnest  efforts  for  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ. 


Sec.  268.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  137 

It  shall  also  aid  the  Presbyteries  in  procming  missionaries,  and  trans- 
feiTing-  them  from  one  field  to  another. 

It  may  also,  by  the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly,  send  mission- 
aries or  evangelists  into  pai'ts  of  the  coimtiy  not  inchided  in  the  bomid- 
aries  of  the  Church,  and  make  pro^•ision  for  their  support. 

The  central  committee  and  the  Presbyteries  should  be  united  and 
brought  into  harmonious  action,  Iw  constituting  the  chairman  of  the 
Presbyterial  Committee  of  Domestic  Missions  a  corresponding  member 
of  the  central  committee.  It  will  thvis  be  made  his  duty  to  keep  the 
central  committee  informed,  either  by  his  personal  presence  or  by  cor- 
respondence, of  the  condition  and  wants  of  his  Presbytery,  and  also  to 
see  that  all  the  chiu'ches  in  his  Presbytery  take  up  regular  collections 
for  the  central  conniiittee,  thus  acting  at  the  same  time  as  agent  for 
the  Presbytery  and  the  central  committee.  The  chainnan  should  be 
compensated  for  his  services,  and  his  expenses  of  travelhng  should  be 
borne. 

It  will  be  expected  that  the  older  and  stronger  Presbyteries  will 
always,  except  imder  some  special  providence,  contrilnite  a  larger 
amount  to  the  general  fund  than  they  expect  to  draw,  that  the  weaker 
Presbyteries  may  be  provided  for.  There  wiU,  however,  be  no  olijec- 
tion  to  any  Presbvtery  taking  up  a  second  and  further  collection  in  the 
churches  under  its  care,  when  the  sum  appropriated  by  the  central 
committee  does  not  fully  meet  its  wants,  nor  to  the  salary  of  any  par- 
ticular missionary  or  evangehst  being  supplemented  l)y  private  benefi- 
cence when  it  may  be  found  necessary. 

But  if  the  Presbytery  should  insist  upon  managing  the  fmids  col- 
lected within  its  bounds,  as  well  as  aU  other  parts  of  the  work  of  Sus- 
tentation,  the  Assembly  will  not  enjoin  upon  such  Presbytery  to  send 
all  the  moneys  raised  to  the  treasury  of  the  central  committee,  provided 
that  a  collection  shall  be  taken  in  all  its  churches  for  the  woik  com- 
mitted to  the  Sustentation  Committee;  and  also  that  the  Presbvtery 
shall  rept)rt  to  the  General  Assembly,  thrt)ugh  the  Committee  of  Sus- 
tentation, what  amoimt  of  money  has  been  raised  and  expended  within 
its  own  bounds,  so  that  the  General  Assembly  may  see  at  one  view 
what  the  whole  Church  has  done  in  this  great  work. 

18(i7,  p.  155.  Extract:  " The  Executive  Committee  of  Snsteutation  respectfully 
rei^ort  that,  immediately  after  the  atljoiirumeut  of  the  General  Assembly,  in  No- 
vember last,  they  met  iu  Columbia,  S.  C,  orj^auized  themselves  as  a  committee, 
and  entered  ni)on  the  work  assigned  them  !)y  that  venerable  body.  A  circular  was 
addressed  to  the  churches,  exphiininj^  the  nature  of  that  plan,  and  urt^infj;  their 
co-operation  ;  the  chairmen  of  the  various  Presbyterial  Cdmmittees  of  Jlissions 
were  inforniiMl  of  the  duties  that  had  hccn  laid  ui)on  them,  and  they  were  ur<^ed 
likewise  to  enter  upim  those  duties  at  once.  It  was  not  until  the  middle  of  the 
sprinjT,  however,  that  most  of  the  Presbyteries  could  take  action  in  relation  to  the 
plan  of  Sustentation  recommended  by  the  Assembly;  but  the  committee  are  happy 
to  report  that  the  <j;i-eat  body  of  them  have  adopted  it  with  nntch  cordiality;  and 
they  have  reason  to  believe  that,  when  it  is  better  understood,  and  its  practical 
working  is  more  fully  appreciated,  it  will  be  universally  received  by  the  churches 
and  Presbyteries.  Thirty-seven  Presbyteries  have  already  adoi)ted  it  in  full;  six 
in  part ;  cmc  has  not  been  heard  from;  and  only  one  has  adopted  an  entirely  indepen- 
dent course,  and  this,  it  is  understood,  intends  to  reconsider  its  comse,  if  it  has 
not  already  done  so. " 

Four  general  objects  or  departments  of  lalior  are  regarded  as  inchided  in  the 

•general  plan  of  Sustentation:  1,  To  aid  feeble  churches  in  the  support  of  their 

pastors  and  su])plie>s,  and  thus  accomplish  the  two-fold  object  of  maintaining  the 

stated  preaching  of  the  gospel  in  all  these  churches,  and  at  the  same  time  secure 

a  competency  for  every  lalxn-ing  minister  throughout  the  whole  Church.     This 


138  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

principle,  if  fully  carried  oiit  as  it  should  be,  will  place  our  Church,  so  far  as  the 
support  of  her  ministry  is  coucerued,  on  the  same  solid  foundation  with  the  Free 
Church  of  Scotland,  but  so  as  to  avoid  some  of  the  evils  inherently  connected  with 
their  system,  and  at  the  same  time  be  brouf:(ht  about  by  a  process  miich  more  ac- 
cordant with  the  o;enius  of  our  i)eople.  2,  To  aid  in  the  support  of  missionaries 
and  evangelists,  wherever  such  aid  is  asked.  3,  To  assist  in  rebuilding  or  repair- 
ing church  editices,  where  the  people  have  not  the  means  of  themselves  to  do  it. 
4,  To  assist  missionary  or  ministerial  laborers  in  getting  from  one  iield  of  labor  to 
another,  where  they  are  without  the  means  of  doing  this  of  themselves. 

1868,  p.  287.  The  committee  is  happy  to  report  that  all  the  Presbyteries,  with 
three  or  four  exceptions,  have  adopted  the  Assemblj^'s  plan  of  Sustentation  in  full; 
and  the  impression  is  becoming  general,  if  not  almost  universal,  that  the  plan  is 
not  only  wise  and  judicious  iu  itself,  but  that  this  or  something  of  a  kindred  nature 
is  indisjjensablj-  necessarj'  to  sustain  our  churches  in  their  i^resent  afflicted  con- 
dition. 

269.  By-lavs  for  the  government  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Sustentation. 

1867,  p.  159.  The  follo\\ing-  rules  and  by-laws  were  approved  by 
the  Assembly,  (p.  143) : 

1.  All  a2)propriations  made  by  this  committee,  whether  to  assist  feeble 
chiu'ches,  to  aid  iu  church  erection,  or  to  support  missionaries  and 
evangelists,  must  be  based  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Presbytery's 
Committee  of  Domestic  Missions  within  whose  bounds  the  money  is 
to  be  expended,  it  being  understood  that  the  chairman  or  secretary  is 
regarded  as  the  organ  of  the  Presbytery's  committee. 

2.  The  committee  shall  always  appropriate  specifically  to  the  differ- 
ent objects  presented  by  the  Presbyterial  Committee  of  Missions ;  and 
unless  a  preference  is  expressed  to  the  contrary,  it  will  always  give 
the  precedence  to  applications  in  l^ehalf  of  feeble  churches. 

3.  No  appropriation  shall  be  made  to  supplement  the  salary  given 
by  a  feelile  chiu'ch  unless  the  Presbyterial  committee,  through  which 
the  api^lication  is  made,  can  certify  that  the  congregation  itself  has 
done  aU  that  could  reasonably  be  expected  of  it  to  raise  a  sufficient 
salary ;  and  further,  that  the  minister  is  not  himself  engaged  in  any 
secular  business  which  renders  him  a  competent  support.  The  sum  of 
$250  per  annum  shall  be  the  maximmn  given  to  aid  a  feeble  church, 
except  in  extraordinary  cases. 

4.  The  maximum  appropriation  that  shall  be  made  for  the  support 
of  a  missionary  or  evangelist  shall  not  exceed  $600,  except  in  extraor- 
dinary cases.     (Superseded;  see  below,  on  p.  142.) 

5.  No  appropriation  shall  be  made  to  aid  in  repairing  or  erecting  a 
church  edifice,  except  where  the  Presbyterial  Committee  of  Missions 
can  certify,  1,  That  the  ccmgregation  themselves  have  not  the  means  to 
do  it ;  2,  That  no  application  has  already  been  made  to  chiu'ches 
which  are  expected  to  contribute  to  the  general  fund ;  3,  That  the 
amount  approinuated  by  this  committee  wiU  be  sufficient  to  put  the 
house  in  a  condition  to  be  used  for  pubhc  worship.     (Amended,  p.  143.) 

6.  No  approi)riiition  shall  be  made  to  churches  or  missionaries  in 
Presbyteries  which  do  not  carry  on  their  domestic  missionary  work  in 
accordance  with  the  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  18G6. 

7.  All  appropriations  made  by  the  committee  in  the  way  of  salaries 
shall  be  paid  by  the  treasurer  in  semi-annual  instalments. 

1868,  p.  286.     Manner  of  payment :    AU  appropriations  made  toward^ 
church  l)uilding  are  paid  down  in  full  at  the  time,  whilst  those  made 
to  supplement  the  salaries  given  by  feeble  clnu'ches  and  for  the  sup- 


Sec.  269.]       *  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  139 

port  of  missionaries  and  evangelists  are  paid,  as  above  directed,  in  semi- 
annual instalments. 

1868,  p.  278.  "Whereas,  The  eontril)nting  of  our  substance  is  not  an  op- 
tional, but  a  necessary  part  of  the  worship  of  God,  a  fruit,  an  e^•idence,  and 
a  means  of  grace,  without  which  a  scriptural  piety  cannot  be  maintained 
and  developed :  therefore,  as  a  means  of  hastening  a  wider  practical  recog- 
nition of  this  truth  throughout  our  whole  Church,  be  it 

Ht'solvetj,  1,  That  all  appropriations  hereafter  made  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  Sustentatiou  in  aid  of  pastors,  supplies,  missionaiies,  and  evan- 
gelists, shall  be  subject  to  the  two  following  conditions,  in  addition  to 
those  already  embodied  in  the  by-laws  of  the  committee  already  ap- 
proved by  the  Assembly  :  1,  That  the  pastor,  supply,  (jr  evangehst  shall, 
at  least  once  a  year,  in  a  discourse  exclusively  devoted  to  the  subject, 
set  before  each  of  the  churches  and  missionary  stations  regularly  min- 
istered t<j  by  him,  the  duty  of  worshipping  God  with  our  substance  as 
he  has  prospered  us.  2,  That  the  minister  shall,  in  co-operation  with 
the  session  (if  there  be  one),  see  to  it,  that  in  each  of  the  congTega- 
tions  ministered  to  by  him  at  regular  periods,  at  least  one  annual  col- 
lection, however  small,  be  taken  up  for  each  of  the  four  great  benevo- 
lent operations  of  the  Church.     (Modified  in  1869,  see  below.) 

2.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  of  Sustentatiou  to  call 
sjiecial  attention  to  the  conditions  above  annexed  to  appropriations, 
when  making  remittances  in  aid  of  the  aforesaid  ministers. 

3.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  minister  receiving  the  appropria- 
tion, briefly  to  report  to  the  chairman  of  the  Presbyterial  Committee  of 
Domestic  Missions,  at  the  end  of  five  months  after  the  first  semi-annual 
instalment  of  the  appropriation  shall  have  been  received,  or  earlier,  the 
extent  to  which  he  has  complied  with  these  conditions ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  chairman  to  forward  the  facts  to  the  secretary  of  Sus- 
tentatiou in  advance  of  the  time  of  payment  of  the  second  instalment  of 
the  appropriation,  or  of  making  a  new  appropriation  to  the  same 
field. 

4.  That  the  Committee  of  Susteiitation  shall  withhold  the  payment 
of  the  second  instalment  of  the  appropriation,  or  shall  withhold  a  new 
appropi-iation  to  the  same  field,  when  there  is  satisfactoiy  evidence  of 
an  entire  failure  to  comply  with  the  conditions  aforesaid,  except  in  ex- 
traordinary cases,  hereby  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  committee. 

5.  That  all  appropriations  for  church  erection  or  rei)aii's  by  the  Sus- 
tentatiou Committee  must  be  preceded  by  a  promise  on  the  part  of  the 
session  of  the  congregation  receiving  the  appropriation,  to  enter  upon 
and  continue  a  plan  of  regular  contribution,  at  least  annually,  to  each 
of  the  four  schemes  of  the  Assembly :  and  the  secretary  shall  notify 
said  session  of  this  condition,  and  receive  its  express  assent  to  it,  before 
final  actit)n  is  taken  by  the  committee  upon  the  application  for  such 
aid.     (Repealed  the  next  yetu";  see  below.) 

6.  That  the  Presbyteiies  are  hereby  enjoined  to  require  of  their  min- 
isters sent  as  occasional  supplies  to  vacant  congregaticms,  to  take  up 
collections  for  the  schemes  of  the  Assembly  durmg  such  visits  of  said 
supplies  to  said  congregations. 

1869,  p.  391.  The  foUowing  overture  was  adojited  by  Lexington 
Presbytery,  at  its  meeting  September  4,  1868,  and  ordered  to  be  for- 
warded tt)  the  General  Assembly  : 

"Whereas,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Presbyteiy,  the  resolutions  of  the 


140  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.*      [Book  IV. 

General  Assembly  on  pages  278  and  279  of  its  Minutes  for  the  yeai" 
1868,  setting  forth  certain  conditions  on  which  alone  the  Committee  of 
Sustentation  shall  make  appropriations  in  aid  of  pastors,  supphes,  mis- 
sionaries, and  evangehsts,  or  for  chiu'ch  erection  or  repairs,  are  inex- 
pedient in  policy  and  questionable  as  a  matter  of  constitutional  right, 
and  so  calculated  as  to  prevent  rather  than  to  secm-e  a  more  general  co- 
operation in  the  Assembly's  scheme  of  Sustentation  ;  therefore, 

Itesolred,  That  the  General  Assembl}^  be  respectfully  overtured  to 
rescind  said  resolutions,  and  leave  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  free 
to  act  without  the  embarrassment  of  said  resolutions. 

The  committee  recommend  the  following  changes  as  the  answer : 

In  the  first  condition  of  the  first  resolution,  after  "  at  least  once  a 
year,"  omit  the  words,  "in  a  discoiu'se  exclusively  devoted  to  the  sub- 
ject," and  insert  the  word  "  distinctly." 

In  the  second  condition  of  the  fii'st  resolution,  the  language  be  so 
altered  as  to  read  as  follows  : 

"  That  the  said  minister  shall,  in  co-operation  with  the  session  (if 
there  be  one),  see  to  it  that  in  the  congregations  ministered  to  by  him, 
at  least  one  annual  collection  be  taken  up  in  aid  of  the  benevolent  op- 
erations of  the  Chm-ch." 

Omit  the  fifth  resolution. 

P.  40-2.     From  the  executive  committee's  report : 

If  from  any  unforeseen  cause  the  receipts  from  the  chui'ches  should 
fall  short,  then  the  committee  could  pay  ovUy  pro  rata.  This  is  always 
understood  when  the  annual  appropriations  are  made. 

1869,  p.  393.  RcsoJrcJ,  That  the  Assembly  approves  and  hereby 
confirms  the  by-laws  presented  by  the  executive  committee,  together 
with  the  amendments  proj)Osed,  except  that  three  years  instead  of  two 
be  specified  as  the  maxinuim  of  the  time  for  continuing  the  full  appro- 
priation to  feeble  chiu'ches. 

The  Assembly  adds,  that  in  no  case  shall  any  salary  be  supplemented 
by  the  committee  so  as  to  make  the  whole  greater  than  $1,000. 

Note  by  the  compiler. — The  by-laws  above  approved  are  not  giveu  iu  the  Miuiites. 
By  a  comparison  of  the  rnles  above  adopted  with  the  Manual  of  Home  Missions, 
api^roved  by  the  Assembly  iu  1875,  and  published  in  1880,  we  observe  the  following 
modifications,  some  of  which  were  doubtless  the  chaiij^es  above  authorized  and  in- 
troduced. 

To  by-law  No.  1,  adojited  in  1807,  the  followiuci;  words  are  added:  "And  no  ap- 
proj^riation  shall  be  made  except  for  ordained  and  licensed  probationers."  Ap- 
proved 1872,  p.  163.     He-adopted  1873,  p.  327. 

By-law  No.  3.  Instead  of  providinji;  that  the  Presbyterial  Committee  shall  cer- 
tify that  the  minister  for  whom  aid  is  asked  is  not  himself  engaged  in  any  secular 
business  "which  renders  him  a  competent  support, "  substitute  "which  interferes 
with  his  efficiency  or  jireveuts  him  from  the  full  work  of  his  ministry. " 

To  this  by-law  is  also  added:  "And  in  none  Imt  extraordinary  cases  shall  the 
committee  ever  appropriate  more  than  one-half  of  what  is  given  by  a  feeble  church 
or  union  of  feeble  churches;  and  the  full  sum  of  #250  may  not  l)e  approjiriated  to 
the  same  church  or  union  of  churches  more  than  three  consecutive  years,  and  no 
approi)riati()n  shall  be  made  to  a  church  or  union  of  chiarches  for  a  period  of 
more  than  five  consecutive  years,  except  under  extraordinary  circumstances,  or  ex- 
cept where  thev  are  strictly  classed  as  missionary  churches. "  This  five-year  clause 
adopted  1872,  p.  Ifi3.     Ee-adopted  1873,  p.  327! 

In  answer  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  1875,  p.  19,  that 
this  by-law  l)e  so  changed  as  to  favor  a  continued  assistance  to  such  feeble  churches 
as,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Presbyteries,  may  be  thtmght  to  rc(juire  it,  instead  of 
discwntinuing  aid  to  them  after  a  period  of  five  years,  the  Assembly  <leclared  that 
the  provision  for  extraordinary  cases  attached  to  the  by-law  invests  the  Committee 


Sec.  270.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  141 

of  Snsteutatiou  with  suftic-ieut  discretiou  in  its  aiiplio.atiou  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  each  particular  case. 

In  reply  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Texas  tlH75,  p.  28)  setting 
forth  the  wants  of  that  lieltl,  and  asking  the  Assemljly  to  make  Ijetter  provision, 
through  the  Committee  of  Sustentation,  for  them  than  has  yet  been  extended,  the 
Assembly  authorized  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  to  construe  liberally  the  pro- 
vision for  extraordinary  cases  in  its  application  to  the  missionary  field  in  Texas. 

The  following  additional  by-laws  and  rules,  with  the  numbers  at- 
tached to  them,  appear  in  the  ^Manual  of  1880,  for  the  government  of 
the  committee,  and  applicable  to  the  department  of  Sustentation : 

8.  The  executive  committee  may  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  the 
chairman  of  the  Presbytery "s  Committee  of  Home  ^lissious  incurred 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  such,  provided  that  these  accounts  are 
regularl}'  reported  1  )y  said  chairmen  to  their  respective  Presbyteries  at 
least  annually  for  their  approval.     Adopted  1878,  p.  827. 

9.  All  appropriations  made  by  the  Committee  of  Home  iVIissions  in 
aid  of  pastors,  supplies,  missionaries  and  evangelists,  shall  be  subject 
to  the  following  two  conditions,  in  addition  to  those  already  unbodied 
in  the  by-laws  of  t4ie  committee:  1,  That  the  pastor,  supply  or  evange- 
list, shall,  at  least  once  a  year,  distinctly  set  before  each  of  the  churches 
and  missionary  stations  regularly  ministered  to  by  him,  the  duty  of 
worshipping  God  with  oiu^  substance  as  he  has  prospered  us.  2,  That 
the  said  minister  shall,  in  co-operation  with  the  session  (if  there  be 
one),  see  to  it  that  in  the  congregations  ministered  to  by  him  at  least 
one  annual  collection  be  taken  up  in  aid  of  the  benevolent  operations  of 
the  Church. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasiu'er  of  Home  Missions  to  call 
special  attention  to  the  conditions  above  annexed  to  the  appropriations 
when  making  remittances  in  aid  of  the  afoi'esaid  ministers. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  minister  receiving  the  appropriation 
briefly  to  report  to  the  chairman  of  the  Presbyterial  C'ommittee  of 
Home  ^Missions,  at  the  end  of  five  months  after  the  first  semi-annual 
instalment  of  the  appropx'iation  shall  have  been  received,  or  earher,  the 
extent  to  which  he  has  compHed  with  these  conditions ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  chairman  to  forward  the  facts  to  the  secretary  of  Home 
Missions  in  advance  of  the  time  of  payment  of  the  second  instahnent 
of  the  appropriation,  or  of  making  a  new  appropriation  to  the  same 
field. 

12.  The  Committee  of  Home  Missions  shall  withhold  the  pajanent  of 
the  second  instalment  of  the  appropriation,  or  shaU  withhold  a  new  ap- 
propriation to  the  same  field,  when  there  is  satisfactory  evidence  of  an 
entire  failui'e  to  comply  with  the  conditions  aforesaid,  except  in  extra- 
ordinary cases,  hereby  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  committee. 

18.  The  Presb^-teries  are  hereby  enjoined  to  require  of  their  minis- 
ters sent  as  occasional  supplies  to  vacant  congregations,  to  take  up  col- 
lections for  the  schemes  of  the  Assembly  diu'ing  such  visits  of  said  sup- 
plies to  said  congregations. 

270.  Additional  regulations  for  the  Sustentatioii  Fu7id. 

1.  The  time  appointed  for  the  annual  collection  is  the  first  Sabbath 
of  Janiiary,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  may  be  convenient. 

2.  The  annual  appropriations  from  this  fund  are  made  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  March,  one-half  of  said  appropriations  being  paid  immedi- 
ately, and  the  balance  in  the  succeeding  October,  the  secretaries  ha^'ing 


142  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

been  previously  furnished  with  the  certificate  required  by  the  by-laws, 
Nos.  9-12,  and^the  fund  being  found  sufficient  to  pay  appropriations 
in  whole. 

3.  Appropriations  for  church  buildings  ai'e  payable  in  full  when  the 
certificate  required  in  by-law  No.  5  has  been  furnished. 

4.  It  is  necessary  that  every  application  for  aid  from  the  Sustenta- 
tion  fund  shall  conform  to  the  by-laws,  and  if  in  any  respect  there  is 
a  lack  of  conformity,  it  ought  to  be  fully  stated,  with  the  reasons  which 
appear  to  make  the  case  exceptional. 

5.  All  applications  for  aid  from  this  fund,  as  far  as  possible,  ought  to 
be  made  during  the  month  of  February,  so  that  they  ma}^  receive  im- 
partial consideration  at  the  time  of  annual  approj^riation.  Delay  on 
the  part  of  Presbyterial  committees  may  subject  their  aj^plication  to 
curtailment  or  refusal,  which  might  have  been  avoided  had  they  been 
presented  at  the  proper  time. 

6.  The  Sustentation  and  Evangelistic  works  are  now,  and  will  here- 
after be,  conducted  separately,  and  will  each  stand  on  its  own  inde- 
pendent basis.  No  Presbytery,  therefore,  can  be  oi'edited  on  Susten- 
tation for  what  its  churches  do  for  Evangelistic  work,  or  vice  versa. 

By-law  No.  4,  above,  relative  to  the  maximum  appropriation,  does 
not  appear  in  the  Manual,  being  superseded  by  later  enactments  rela- 
tive to  Evangelistic  work,  which  see. 

271.    Tlie  financial  year. 

1870,  p.  548.  The  financial  year  observed  by  the  committee  extends 
from  January  to  January,  and  not  from  one  meeting  of  the  Assembly 
to  another.  All  appropriations,  therefore,  have  reference  to  the  cur- 
rent calendar  year.  If  they  are  made  during  the  first  three  months  of 
the  year,  they  extend  from  January  to  January.  If  after  that  period, 
they  extend  to  the  end  of  the  year,  but  never  go  beyond.  Presbyteries 
find  little  or  no  difficulty  in  conforming  their  plans  to  this  general  reg- 
ulation. If,  in  some  cases,  they  give  commissions  extending  over  into 
the  subsequent  year,  it  is  only  necessary  for  ihexa  to  renew  the  appli- 
cation for  that  portion  of  the  funds  needed  for  the  new  year.  Nor 
does  the  committee,  according  to  present  arrangements,  ever  allow 
itself  to  be  involved  in  debt,  but  comes  out  with  clean  bot)ks  at  the 
close  of  every  year. 

Its  general  appropriations  are  made  the  last  of  February  or  the  first 
of  March,  the  time  most  favorable  for  ascertaining  what  the  probable 
receipts  of  the  year  will  be,  and  are  paid  in  semi-annual  instalments, 
the  first  in  March  and  the  second  in  October,  in  full,  provided  the 
funds  in  the  treasury  are  sufficient ;  but  if  they  are  not,  then  the  sec- 
ond instalment  is  paid  'pro  rata,  according  to  the  funds  on  hand.  This 
is  always  the  condition  upon  which  the  appropriations  are  made,  and 
in  this  way  the  committee  avoids  debt.  Nor  is  any  injustice  done  in 
this  way  to  brethren  who  receive  aid  from  this  fund.  AH  oiu-  benevo- 
lent operations  are  based  simply  on  faith  in  the  churches,  and  the  com- 
mittee can  disburse  only  such  funds  as  are  i)laced  in  its  hands.  In 
this  way  the  very  objectionable  practice  of  calling  upon  the  churches  to 
rescue  the  treasury  from  debt  is  avoided.  Making  the  second  payment 
conditional,  is  simply  to  protect  the  committee  from  all  legal  or  moral 
obhgations  to  pay  out  money  that  may  never  be  placed  in  the  treasury 
for  that  purpose.     (From  the  report  of  the  Sustentation  Committee.) 


Secs.  272-27G.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  143 

272.  By-lav:  about  loans  for  erecting  diurch  edifices. 

1885,  p.  422.  Overtiu'e  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  St.  Johns.  Answered 
by  adcling  the  following  paragraj^h  to  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  V.,  of  the  Manual 
of  Home  Missions : 

"At  the  discretion  of  the  Committee  of  Home  Missions,  appropria- 
tions to  aid  in  repairs  or  erecting  church  edilices  may  be  made,  not  as 
donations,  but  as  loans  without  interest,  which  shall  be  subject  to  the 
same  conditions  as  donations,  and  to  the  following  in  addition :  That 
the  chiu'ch  regards  this  loan  as  a  debt  of  honor,  to  be  refunded  by  an- 
nual instalments  within  live  years." 

273.  Bij-lav)  about  church  edifices  amoided. 

1879,  p.  50.  That  the  words,  "  and  will  clear  it  of  debt,"  be  added 
to  Sec.  III.,  By-law  5,  so  that  it  will  read,  "that  the  amount  appropri- 
ated b}'  this  committee  will  be  sufficient  to  put  the  house  in  a  condition 
to  be  used  for  pubhc  worship  and  will  clear  it  of  debt." 

274.  Bureau  of  Information. 

1868,  p.  275.  Concerning  a  series  of  resolutions  proposing  that  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Sustentatiou  shall  establish  and  sustain  a 
Church  Intelligence  Office,  the  standing  committee  report,  recom- 
mending that  it  is  not  expedient  at  present  to  make  further  additions 
to  the  labors  of  that  committee.     Adopted. 

1883,  p.  38.  Besolved,  That  in  view  of  the  large  number  of  vacant 
churches  and  jjartially  employed  ministers  within  our  bounds,  and  the 
felt  need  of  some  agency  by  which  communication  may  be  opened  be- 
tween them,  the  Assembly's  executive  committee,  in  correspondence 
with  Presbyterial  committees,  is  authorized  to  oj^en  a  "Bm-eau  of  In- 
formation," the  functions  of  which  shall  be  to  obtain  and  keep  on  hand 
and  fm-nish  statedly  (at  least  quarterly,  and  oftener  when  deemed  de- 
sii'able),  on  apphcation  to  Presbyterial  committees,  a  hst  of  vacant 
churches  and  the  names  of  imemployed  ministers,  with  such  specifica- 
tions concerning  each  and  such  references  as  may  be  fiunished  by  the 
Presb}i:erial  committees. 

275.  Begging  discouraged. 

1869,  p.  393.  Besolved,  That  we  cannot  guard  too  carefully  against 
the  introduction  and  prevalence  of  an  eleemosynary  dependence  among 
cm-  i^eople,  and  that  the  Assembly  discoimtenances  all  appeals  made 
abroad  for  the  re-estabhshment  of  institutions  of  learning,  for  the  erec- 
tion or  repair  of  costly  church  edilices,  and  other  objects  of  a  kindi'ed 
nature,  beyond  the  essential  and  pressing  necessities  of  the  jjresent 
time. 

276.  Manses. 

1869,  p.  393.  The  Assembly  exhorts  every  Presbytery  to  call  the 
attention  of  each  chiu'ch  in  its  bounds  to  the  importance  of  having  a 
manse  provided  for  its  pastor  in  some  central  and  convenient  place,  and 
with  a  few  acres  of  arable  and  wooded  land  attached  in  the  case  of 
coimtry  churches.  The  comfort  and  usefulness  of  ministers  will  be 
greatly  promoted  by  this  measiu'e,  and  the  cords  of  aliection  and  con- 
fidence between  pastor  and  people  be  greatly  strengthened. 


144  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

In  1885  the  executive  committee  reported  to  the  Assembly  (p.  444) 
that  in  the  entire  Church  were  al:)out  three  hundi*ed  and  thirty-tive 
manses,  twenty-foiu"  of  which  were  built  last  year. 

277.  Minimum  salary. 

1868,  p.  274.  Condensed.  In  consequence  of  the  impoverishment 
of  many  parts  of  the  coiuitry,  numbers  of  our  ministers  are  com- 
pelled, in  part  at  least,  to  leave  the  work  of  the  ministiy,  that  through 
secular  pursuits  they  may  gain  a  support.  The  Assembly,  therefore, 
enjoin  it  upon  Presbyteries  that  they  at  once  ascertain  and  fix  the 
minimum  amount  required  for  the  support  of  a  laboring  minister,  and 
that  they  use  diligent  eiforts  to  provide  the  same.  The  Committee  of 
Sustentation  is  directed  to  co-operate  herein  to  the  extent  of  their 
ability,  provided  the  sum  so  designated  shall  not  exceed  the  amount 
of  six  hundred  dollars. 

1869,  p.  393.  Presbyteries  and  the  central  committee  are  enjoined 
to  make  the  effort  to  raise  the  salary  of  every  lal:)oring  minister  to  $750 
for  the  year  1870.     Eenewed  for  1871.     (See  1870,  p.  518.) 

1870,  p.  549.  With  reference  to  this  injimction,  the  executive  com- 
mittee respectfully  report  that  they  have  had  the  matter  under  earnest 
consideration,  but  they  find  it  difficult  to  carry  out  the  recommendation 
in  full  until  the  Presbyteries  have  taken  previous  action  with  reference 
to  the  removal  of  certain  difficulties  that  he  in  the  way  of  the  under- 
taking. One  of  these  is  that  a  number  of  chiu'ches  are  reported  as  be- 
ing fully  able  to  give  their  pastors  a  competent  support,  but  do  not  do 
it.  Of  course  it  would  be  unwise  to  help  a  church  that  is  able  to  help 
itself.  Another  difficulty  is  that  a  considerable  number  of  ministers 
are  reported  who,  though  receiving  less  than  $750,  are  nevertheless 
engaged  in  school-teaching,  farming,  or  some  other  secular  employment 
that  renders  them  a  competent  support.  Still  another  difficulty  is  that 
the  committee  is  restrained  by  the  rules  given  it  for  its  government 
from  appropriating  to  any  chui"ch  or  union  of  chvirches  under  the  same 
pastorate,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  naore  than  one-half  as  much 
as  is  raised  by  these  churches  themselves  for  the  support  of  their  pas- 
tor. A  foiu'th  difficulty  is  that  the  revenues  of  the  committee  are  not 
large  enough  by  forty  or  fifty  per  cent.     Condensed. 

1871,  p.  50.  The  committee  have  constantly  kept  in  view  the  in- 
junction of  the  Assembly  to  make  effort  to  raise  the  salary  of  every 
laboring  minister  in  the  Church  to  $750  as  the  minimum ^  and  while 
there  has  been  a  decided  advance  toward  this  result,  it  has  not  jet  been 
fully  realized,  mainly  for  the  reasons  set  forth  in  the  last  annual  report. 

P.  33.  It  appears  fi*om  the  report  of  the  executive  committee  that 
during  the  last  three  3'ears,  the  average  amount  of  salaiy  paid  directly 
by  the  chtu'ches  to  that  portion  of  our  ministers  among  whom  the  com- 
mittee dispenses  its  supplementary  aid  has  increased  from  $500  to  $650. 

1871,  p.  35.  The  committee  and  the  Presbyteries  were  told  that  it 
should  be  their  aim  and  effort  to  raise  these  salaries  to  a  minimum  of 
$800,  and  that,  if  possible,  dm-ing  the  next  ecclesiastical  year. 

1872,  p.  191.  With  reference  to  this  injunction  the  committee  report 
progress  in  the  right  direction,  but  not  complete  success.  The  average 
salary  throughout  the  Church,  as  ascertained  and  supplemented  by  the 
committee,  is  about  $716,  without  taking  into  accovmt  the  larger  salaries 


Secs.  278-280.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  145 

given  in  cities.     Tliis  is  an  advance  for  the  year  of  about  $60,  being 
equal  to  the  annual  advance  for  the  three  previous  years. 

1873,  p.  34:6.  The  committee  estimates  that  the  average  salaiy,  out- 
side of  cities  and  as  imsupplemented  by  the  committee,  is  at  or  below 

$572. 

278.    Groiqylng  cJiurcJies. 

1879,  p.  50.  Presbyteries  are  again  advised  so  to  group  the  ehiurches 
now  dependent  on  the  executive  committee  as  to  make  them  more  nearly 
self-sustaining,  and  that  they  examine  with  particular  care  those  aj)- 
phcations  f(jr  aid  which  come  from  long-established  congregations,  giv- 
ing— except  under  extraordinar}'  circumstances — decided  preference  to 
fresher  fields,  and  such  as  promise  a  speedier  return.  And  the  Pres- 
byteries are  requested  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  their 
diUgence  in  this  matter. 

279.  Separation  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 

1868,  p.  274.  The  number  and  variety  of  the  duties  laid  upon  the 
Committee  of  Sustentation,  together  with  the  consideration  that  the 
secretaiy  occupies  the  position  of  secretaiy  of  Foreign  Missions,  have 
suggested  to  this  Assembly  the  question  of  a  division  of  these  respon- 
sibilities. The  plan  of  Sustentation,  however,  is  working  so  satisfac- 
torily under  the  present  management,  that  the  Assembly  considers  it 
inexpedient  to  introduce  at  this  time  any  changes  in  the  existing 
arrangement.  Instead  of  this,  the  committee  are  recommended,  and 
are  hereb}^  authorized,  to  make  any  such  additions  to  their  clerical  force 
as  the  amomit  and  nature  of  then*  duties  may  requii*e. 

1886,  p.  33.  Overtures  to  the  number  of  eight  or  ten,  respecting 
the  change  in  the  locati(  n  of  the  executive  committee,  having  been  re- 
ferred to  the  standuig  committee,  it  was  decided  by  the  committee  to 
recommend,  first,  that  the  Assembly  remove  the  committee  fi'om  Balti- 
more ;  and,  second,  that  it  be  transferred  to  Atlanta,  Ga.  The  com- 
mittee was  brought  to  these  decisions  by  the  fullest  discussion  of  both 
questions,  and  on  information  obtained  from  parties  fully  competent  to 
judge.  The  reasons  for  removal  were  mainly  that  the  growing  interests 
of  both  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  call  for  two  committees ;  the  pre- 
sent location  is  too  far  from  the  centre  of  the  Church  and  from  the  vast 
field  of  our  destitutions ;  find  in  the  selection  of  Atlanta  in  preference 
to  St.  Louis,  the  committee  was  influenced  by  its  locality  as  meeting 
the  objections  to  Baltimore.     (Adopted.) 

P.  35.     July  1st  was  fixed  as  the  date  for  the  removal. 

280.    7Vie  Assemhhj  t/iK/iAs  the  old  committee. 

1886,  p.  34.  This  Assembly  desires  to  place  upon  record  an  expres- 
sion of  its  high  appreciation  of  the  able,  faithful,  and  generous  service 
which  through  the  last  eleven  years  has  been  rendered  by  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Home  Missions  in  Baltimore.  The  gentlemen  com- 
posing that  committee  have  given  much  time  and  patient  thought  to 
this  work,  and  their  acts  have  always  been  acceptable  to  the  Assembly. 
Be  it,  therefore,  ^ 

Mesolved,  That  this  Assembly  does  now  hereby  render  to  them  its 
heartfelt  thanks  for  the  way  in  which  they  have  aided  the  whole  Chiu'ch 

lO 


146  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  rv. 

in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  aud  the  secretary  of  Home  Missions  is  in- 
structed to  convey  this  resolution  to  that  committee,  and  to  ask  that 
they  allow  it  to  be  spread  on  their  minutes ;  that  the  said  committee 
continue  to  act  as  such  until  such  time  as  the  office  shall  be  removed 
from  Baltimore  to  Atlanta. 

281.   Change  of  location. — Election  of  a  co-ordinate  secretary. 

The  Committee  of  Domestic  Missions,  of  which  the  Committee  of 
Sustentation  was  the  successor,  was  located  in  1861  in  New  Orleans.  In 
1863  it  was  changed  to  Columbia,  S.  C. 

1870,  p.  535.  In  response  to  the  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of 
North  Mississippi,  in  regard  to  the  removal  of  the  Committee  of  Sus- 
tentation from  Columbia,  S.  C,  to  New  Orleans,  La.,  it  is  the  judgment 
of  this  Assembly  that  it  is  not  expedient  at  present  to  change  the  loca- 
tion of  this  agency. 

1872,  J).  165.  The  Committees  of  Sustentation  and  Foreign  Missions, 
in  joint  session,  have  carefully  considered  the  questions  committed  to 
them  by  the  General  Assembly  touching  the  division  and  removal  of 
the  Committees  of  Sustentation  and  Foreign  Missions,  and  respectfully 
report  to  the  General  Assembly  for  their  adoption  the  following  resolu- 
tions, viz. : 

1.  Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  it  is  inexpedient 
to  make  any  change  at  present  in  the  location  or  constitution  of  these 
committees. 

2.  That  the  Assembly  appoint  a  co-ordinate  secretary,  who  shall  also 
act  as  treasm-er,  to  assist  the  secretary  of  Sustentation  and  Foreign 
Missions. 

P.  169.     Eev.  Eichard  Mcllwaine  was  elected  co-ordinate  secretary. 

1875,  p.  138.  In  order  to  afford  increased  facihties  to  the  executive 
committee,  by  the  transfer  of  its  operations  to  some  commercial  and 
financial  centre,  the  Assembly  orders  the  Execvitive  Committee  of  For- 
eign Missions  to  transfer  its  location  from  Columbia,  S.  C,  to  Balti- 
more, Md. 

It  was  then  determined  to  postpone  for  one  year  the  question  of  the 
propriety  of  removing  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  to  Baltimore 
also. 

P.  47.  A  reconsideration  of  the  vote  rejecting  the  recommendation 
of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Sustentation,  for  the  removal  of  the  exe- 
cutive committee  to  Baltimore,  was  carried,  and  the  report  of  said 
standing  committee  was  then  adopted,  and  is  as  f oUows : 

That  in  view  of  the  necessity  for  removing  the  seat  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  to  Baltimore,  and  the  difficuPfcy  at  pre- 
sent of  separating  the  Sustentation  from  the  Foreign  Missions  Commit- 
tee, by  reason  of  the  great  additional  exj)ense  of  conducting  the  work 
of  those  two  committees  separately,  and  for  other  reasons,  the  seat  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation  shall  also  be  removed  to  Bal- 
timore, in  order  that  the  two  secretaries  may  continue  to  work  to- 
gether. 

This  Assembly  had  also  before  it  overtures  asking  that  this  committee  be  changed 

to  St.  Louis,  and  also  to  Nashville.  — A. 

% 

1880,  p.  208.     The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures, 

on  overtures  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Missouri,  St.  Louis,  and  Dallas, 


Sec.  282, 283.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chi'rch.  147 

asking-  a  transfer  of  the  Committee  of  Home  Missions  to  the  city  of  St. 
Louis,  was  taken  up,  and  after  fuU  discussion,  it  was  decided  by  the 
Assembl}^  that  the  request  be  not  granted. 

1885,  p.  418.  In  answer  to  an  overtiu'e  from  the  Presbji;ery  of  Ches- 
apeake in  reference  to  separate  Executive  Committees  of  Home  and 
Foreign  Missions,  and  the  location  oi  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions at  a  different  point,  the  Assembly  replies  that  it  is  not  advisable 
to  make  the  proposed  changes  at  this  time. 

1886,  p.  33.  For  change  of  location  to  Atlanta,  see  paragraph  above, 
on  the  separation  of  the  Home  and  Foreign  Committees. 

282.  Ur.   Wilson  retires  fro/n  the  secret(fri/ship. 

1882,  p.  5G2.  With  reference  to  the  secretaryship  of  Home  Missions 
your  committee  would  state  that  it  was  their  unanimous  judgment  that 
the  joint  organization  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions,  which  has  been 
in  existence  for  the  past  ten  years,  with  such  profit  and  economy  to  the 
Church,  should  continue,  but  being  informed  by  Dr.  Wilson  that  he 
could  not  longer  serve  the  Church  in  this  department  of  her  work,  we 
have  reluctantly  acceded  to  his  expressed  wishes  in  this  matter  in  not 
presenting  his  name  for  the  office  of  secretary.  It  is  greatly  to  be  re- 
gi'etted  that  this  field  of  our  Church's  w(n*k  is  no  longer  to  have  his 
valuable  oversight  or  prudent  counsel.  Your  committee  would  present 
the  following  resolution  for  the  adoption  of  the  Assembly: 

JiesolreJ,  That  while  the  Assembly,  in  deference  to  the  expressed 
wish  of  Dr.  Wilson,  accedes  to  his  desire  to  retire  from  the  secretaiy- 
ship  of  Home  Missions,  it  A\ould  take  this  opportunity  to  express  its 
profound  appreciation  of  his  invaluable  ser^'ices  in  this  department  of 
chiu'ch  work,  which  is  largely  indebted  to  his  wisdom  and  sound  judg- 
ment for  its  eai'ly  organization  and  successful  operation. 

Thereupon  Dr.  Mcllwaine  was  elected  sole  secretary,  and  L.  C.  In- 
glis,  Esq.,  treasurer. 

283.  IJr.  Mcllwaine  retires  from  the  secretari/ship. — Z^r.  Craig  elected. 

1883,  p.  39.  Resolced,  That  the  overtures  fi-om  the  Presbyteries  of 
Lexington  and  Paris,  urging  the  Assembly  to  use  all  proper  means  to 
retain  Rev.  Dr.  ]\lcllwaine  as  secretary  of  Home  Missions,  a  position 
■which  he  has  filled  with  singular  ability  and  efficiency  for  many  years, 
and  for  which  he  is  better  fitted,  in  our  judgment,  than  any  man  in  om- 
Church,  and  as  the  voice  of  the  Churt-h  expressed  in  her  courts  would 
probably  be  unanimous  for  his  continuance  in  this  most  impoi-tant 
work,  the  committee  is  unanimous  and  hearty  in  endorsing-  the  senti- 
ments of  the  overtures ;  yet  inasmuch  as  he  has  received  and  has  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  to  become  the  President  of  Hampden  Sidney  Col- 
lege, and  has  requested  this  Assembly  to  release  him  from  the  duties 
of  Home  Mission  secretary,  therefore  it  is  recommended  that  this  As- 
sembly accede  to  tliat  request,  and  fix  the  first  day  of  July,  1883,  as 
the  time  at  which  the  term  of  Dr.  Mcllwaine,  as  Home  Mission  secre- 
tary, will  expire,  and  do  now  i^roceed,  or  at  such  time  as  the  Assembly 
may  determine,  to  the  election  of  his  successor,  whose  term  of  office 
shall  begin  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1883. 

P.  48.  Rev.  John  N.  Craig,  D.  D.,  of  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  was  elected 
secretary. 


148  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  rv. 

284.   Title  of  the  committee  changed. 

1879,  p.  50.  The  name  "Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation "  is 
hereby  clianged  to  "  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions." 

285.   The  secretary  to  visit  di^e7'ent  parts  of  the  Church. 

1882,  p.  562.  The  secretary  is  directed,  as  far  as  may  be  in  his 
power,  to  visit  different  parts  of  the  Chm'ch,  with  a  view  to  securing 
larger  contributions  to  help  forward  this  work. 

286.   Texas. 

1878,  p.  628.  The  special  attention  of  the  committee  is  called  to 
Texas,  as  a  wide  and  growing  field,  demanding  and  deser^dng  all  the 
aid  that  can  be  afforded,  consistently  with  the  claims  of  other  parts  of 
the  Cluu'ch.  The  Assembly  would  express  entire  satisfaction  with  the 
importance  heretofore  given  by  the  executive  committee  to  this  field, 
and  hope  it  will  be  stiU  more  pronounced,  because  of  the  pressing 
wants,  and  because  the  rapidly  increasing  population  wiU  soonest  re- 
turn the  money  spent  upon  it  with  interest,  to  be  distributed  in  other 
parts  of  the  Church. 

287.  Florida  and  the  Red  River  country. 

1884,  p.  233.  The  Presbytery  of  St.  Johns  memoralized  the  Assem- 
bly to  make  special  provision  for  Florida. 

Though  your  committee  is  in  thorough  sjanpathy  with  the  general 
purpose  of  the  memorial,  it  is  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  inexpedient  to 
make  one  field  an  especial  object  of  contribution,  and  to  bind  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  to  specific  appropriations.     Adopted. 

1885,  p  422.  Overtm-e  from  St.  Johns  Presbytery:  While  your 
committee  has  no  doubt  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Mis- 
sions has  granted  all  reasonable  applications  to  the  extent  of  its  abiUty, 
yet  it  commends  to  the  executive  committee  the  importance  of  Florida 
as  a  home  missionary  field.  And  in  view  of  the  touching  appeal  made 
by  the  commissioner  from  Red  Eiver  Presbytery,  the  attention  of  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  is  also  specially  called  to  the  destitutions  existing  in 
that  field. 

288.  Seamen. 

1879,  p.  19.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans,  asking 
the  Assembly  "  to  take  under  its  special  consideration  the  matter  of 
the  religious  instruction  and  conversion  of  seamen  and  boatmen,"  etc. 

Ansirer:  1.  The  Assembly  commends  the  efforts  of  the  Presbytery 
of  New  Orleans  to  bring  seamen  under  Christian  influence. 

2.  The  Assembly  recommends  to  the  several  Presbyteries  who  have 
access  to  this  class  of  people,  to  do  all  they  can  for  their  evangelization. 

3.  The  Committee  of  Sustentation  be,  and  is  hereb}',  authorized  to 
grant  such  aid  as  may  be  in  its  power  to  this  enterprise ;  subject,  how- 
ever, to  all  the  regulations  which  govern  the  committee  in  making 
similar  api)ropriations ;  and  that  Rev.  A.  J.  Witherspoon,  chaplain  of 
the  Seamen's  Bethel  of  New  Orleans,  be  requested  to  co-operate  with 
the  Assembly's  Committee  of  Sustentation. 

4.  The  Assembly  affectionately  commends  to  the  prayers  and  alms 
of  its  people  that  class  of  men  "that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  and 


Secs.  289-292.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  149 

do  business  in  great  waters,"  and  invites  them  to  pray  for  the  coming 
of  that  day  when  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  unto  the 
Lord,  and  mariners  shall  become  missionaries  to  carry  the  gospel  to 
the  distant  parts  of  the  earth. 

1882,  p.  562.  Inasmuch  as  deep  interest  is  felt  in  several  places 
among  seamen,  it  is  recommended  that  the  executive  committee  be 
authorized  to  organize  such  a  work  in  whatever  places  the  opening  may 
seem  favorable. 

1885,  p.  424.  With  reference  to  the  work  among  seamen  at  Charles- 
ton and  New  Orleans,  the  Assembly  reaffirmed  its  deep  interest  in  this 
important  work.  It  would  commend  the  brethren  in  charge  of  these 
enterprises  to  the  warm  sympathy  and  generous  aid  of  our  chiu'ches 
and  people  in  their  efforts  to  enlarge  the  sj)here  and  extend  the  in- 
fluence of  their  work,  and  express  the  hope  that  in  all  our  seajDorts 
similar  institutions  may  be  established  and  maintained.  (This  resolu- 
tion was  rejDeated  in  1886.) 

289.  Division  of  legacies. 

1887,  p.  238.  The  executive  committee  is  authorized  to  divide  lega- 
cies given  to  Home  Missions  (the  testator  mentioning  no  special  de- 
partments) between  the  causes  according  to  their  needs. 

290.  Publication  of  receipts. 

1886,  p.  39.  Resolved,  That  the  Home  Mission's  receipts  being  now 
excluded  from  publication  in  The  Missionary,  the  executive  committee 
be  authorized  to  arrange  for  monthly  publications  of  its  receipts,  if 
they  can  do  so  upon  satisfactory  terms.  (The  Assembly  of  1887  de- 
clined to  order  the  publication  of  these  receipts,  either  in  TJie  Missioti- 
ary  or  Ttie  ]£arnest  ^VoTker,  on  account  of  expense.) 

291.  Amoinit  of  money  asked  for  hy  the  Assembly  for  this  conwiiltee. 

In  1878  it  asked  for  fift}'^  cents  from  each  commvmicant,  to  be  divided 
between  Sustentation  and  Evangelistic  work.  In  1879  it  set  before  it 
as  a  mark  to  be  aimed  at,  $40,000  for  Sustentation  and  $20,000  for 
Evangelistic  work.  In  1880,  the  same,  with  $12,000  for  the  Invahd 
Fmid ;  in  1882,  the  same  for  Sustentation  and  $25,000  for  the  Evan- 
gehstic  Fund ;  in  1883,  it  asked  $100,000  for  all  its  branches,  and  au- 
thorized the  executive  committee  to  apportion  this  amount  among  the 
co-operating  Presbyteries,  with  the  re(][uest  that  the  Presbyteiies  would 
require  their  committees  to  apportion  their  respective  amounts  among 
the  chiu'ches.  This  same  estimate  and  plan  was  renewed  in  1884.  In 
1885,  $75,000  was  asked  for  Sustentation  and  Evangelistic  work,  to  be 
apportioned.     In  1886,  the  committee  asked  for  $65,000. 

292.  J^vavyelists  to  he  appointed.- — Their  duties  and  powers. 

1866,  p.  36.  liesolved.  That  every  Presbytery  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  this  Assembly  be  enjoined  to  seek  out  and  set  apart  a  mmister 
to  the  work  of  the  evangelist  for  its  bounds,  to  take  the  superinten- 
dence of  its  vacant  congregations  wherever  practicable.  These  evan- 
gehsts  shall  be  authorized  to  act  as  moderators  of  the  sessions  of  the 
"vacant  congregations ;  to  preach  the  gospel  and  administer  the  sacra- 


150  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

ments  to  them  at  stated  intervals;  to  counsel  the  sessions  in  holding- 
social  worship  in  the  absence  of  ministers ;  to  encourage  the  organiza- 
tion of  Sabbath-schools  and  Bible  classes,  and  the  making  of  oblations 
for  systematic  benevolence ;  and,  in  general,  to  take  the  pastoral  super- 
vision of  the  vacant  congregations,  both  white  and  colored.  But  when 
a  suitable  evangelist  cannot  be  obtained,  then  the  Presbyteiy  is  en- 
joined to  apportion  such  congregations  among  its  ministerial  membera 
for  the  same  object,  so  that  eveiy  congregation  and  all  our  freed  peo- 
ple shall  enjoy  the  pastoral  oversight  of  some  minister  in  their  assem- 
bhes.    (Reaffirmed,  1867,  p,  148,  and  substantiallj-  renewed,  1871,  p.  36.) 

This  resolution  was  accompauied  by  otliers  looking  to  the  performance  of  evan- 
gelistic  labor  by  certain  rnling  elders  in  neighboring  congregations,  and  the  more 
effective  utilizing  of  oiir  ministerial  forces  not  now  actively  engaged  in  jDreachiug, 
and  requiring  that  the  Presbyteries  report  to  the  Assembly  their  diligence  in  the 
matter.     1866,  p.  37.     (See  chapter  on  Kuling  Elders.) 

1867,  p.  152.  Eeports  of  fidelity  in  obeying  the  injunction  of  the 
last  General  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  evangelists  and  the  ordinances 
in  vacant  chiu'ches  having  been  received  from  only  a  few  of  the  Pres- 
byteries ;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  Presbyteries  and  Sj-nods  be  re- 
called to  the  subject,  and  that  they  be  ordered  to  report  thereon  to  the 
next  Assembly. 

1868,  p.  265.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  review 
and  report  upon  the  reports  of  the  Presbyteries  touching  the  matter 
of  evangelistic  labors  within  their  bounds,  according  to  the  injunction 
of  the  last  Assembly,  would  report — 

1.  That  only  eleven  Presbyteries  have  reported  at  all. 

2.  That  of  these  eleven  Presbyteries,  only  four  have  appointed  evan- 
gehsts,  viz. :  Mississippi,  Knoxville,  South  Carolina,  and  Greenbrier. 
But 

3.  That  in  all  these  Presbyteries  evangelistic  labors  have  been  per- 
formed by  the  pastors  of  the  churches,  under  the  direction  of  the  Com- 
mittees of  Domestic  Missions. 

These  reports  exhibit  a  mournful  state  of  j^overty,  and  of  inability  in 
consequence,  to  sustain  the  preached  Word  among  a  large  niunber  of 
their  churches.  But  at  the  same  time  the}^  manifest  the  lovely  gospel 
rule  of  the  strong  helping  the  weak,  by  surrendering  a  portion  of  the 
time  of  their  pastors  to  supply  the  lack  of  service  in  these  destitute 
and  impoverished  churches.     (Abridged.) 

293.  A  Standing  Committee  on  Evangelistic  Labor. 

1869,  p.  373.  It  was  resolved:  That  a  Standing  Committee  on 
EvangeHstic  Labor  shall  hereafter  be  appointed. 

294.   Grouping  of  churches  under  evangelists,  and  requiring  them,  to 

contribute. 

1870,  p.  513.  They  would  recommend  that  the  Presbyteries  be 
urged,  whenever  it  be  practicable,  to  la}^  off  the  missionary  fields  under 
their  care,  including  all  vacant  churches  which  are  vacant  by  reason  of 
the  fact  that  they  are  not  self-sustaining,  into  districts,  according  to 
the  requirements  of  the  case,  to  be  placed  under  the  charge  of  one  or 
more  missionaries  or  evangelists,  with  the  consent,  of  com'se,  of  the 


Secs.  295,  296.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  151 

vacant  churctes  in  the  several  districts.  This  plan,  substantially,  is 
ah'eady  in  operation  in  some  of  the  Presbyteries,  and  with  eminent  suc- 
cess  

But,  still  further,  in  oixler  that  this  matter  may  be  made  to  bear 
directly  upon  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  those  immediately  con- 
cerned in  it,  the  committee  would  recommend  to  the  Presb\i;eries, 
through  the  General  Assembly,  to  require  all  the  churches  in  their 
bounds  to  which  it  shall  be  proposed  to  give  the  benefit  of  the  labors 
of  an  evangehst  or  domestic  missionary',  as  an  essential  condition  of 
having  the  gospel  carried  to  them,  to  contribute  regialarly,  according  to 
their  means,  to  its  support.  Adopted.  (Reaffirmed  1873,  p.  327 ;  1881, 
p.  382.) 

295.  Special  collection  appointed  for  this  cause. 

1870,  p.  527.  An  overture  of  Central  Mississippi  Presb3i:er\%  pray- 
ing the  Assembty  to  make  the  collection  for  evangehzation  a  special 
collection. 

Aiisrcer :  It  is  not  deemed  expedient  to  multiply  the  number  of 
special  collections  beyond  the  necessities  of  the  case.  And  inasmuch 
as  any  Presby-teiy  in  which  such  a  distinct  collection  may  be  deemed 
advisable  has  ample  power  to  make  aU  necessaiy  orders  in  the  premises, 
the  Assembly  does  not  deem  it  wise  to  make  such  an  order  binding 
upon  all  the  churches. 

1871,  p.  37.  The  Assembly  directs,  that  a  collection  be  made  in  all 
our  chiu'ches  for  the  Evangehstic  Fund  on  the  first  Sunday  in  April,  or 
as  near  thereto  as  may  be  convenient.  (In  1872  the  time  for  this  col- 
lection was  changed  to  the  first  Sabbath  in  September,  or  as  near 
thereto  as  convenient.     Pp.  163-168.) 

296.  Evangelistic  work  and  JSustentation  to  be  conducted  separately. 

1873,  p.  327.  We  commend  that  part  of  the  executive  committee's 
report  touching  the  Evangelistic  work  to  the  special  attention  of  the 
Assembly-,  and  concurring  with  the  committee  in  regard  to  the  expedi- 
ency of  conducting  the  Evangelistic  and  Sustentation  work  as  distinct 
enterprises,  we  recommend  that  the  following  be  adopted  and  incoiiDo- 
rated  as  rule  No.  4,  in  the  by-laws  of  the  executive  committee,  to- wit : 

"4.  The  Sustentation  and  Evangehstic  work  shall  be  conducted 
separately  after  January  1,  1874.  The  evangehst  is  an  otficer  duly 
and  formalh'  appointed  and  set  apart  by  a  Presbyteiy  to  take  charge 
of  its  feeble  churches  or  destitute  fields.  His  salary-  shall  be  paid, 
first,  by  the  field  of  labor  served  by  him,  under  the  direction  and  super- 
vision of  the  Presb}-terial  Committee  of  Sustentation :  and  second, 
from  the  Evangehstic  ftmd.  In  ordiuaiy  cases  the  salaiy  of  the  evan- 
gehst shall  be  $800,  but  a  greater  amount  may  be  given  when  the 
Presbytery  shall  distinctly  state  that  it  is  necessaiy :  provided,  that  in 
eveiy  case  all  collections  for  this  cause  in  the  Presbyteiy  shall  be  sent 
to  the  Evangehstic  fund,  and  that  the  executive  committee  shall  be 
guided  by  what  the  churches  of  each  Presbyter}-  are  doing  to  sustain 
this  cause."     Adopted. 

This  by-law  supersedes  By-law  4,  adopted  in  1867  for  the  Committee  of  Susten- 
tation, and  appears  as  No.  4  in  the  Committee's  Manual  now  in  use. 

The  part  of  the  executive  committee's  report  alhided  to  above  (1873,  p.  350,)  is 
substantially  as  follows :  After  regretting  that  the  evangehstic  efforts  as  a  distinct 


152  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

braucli  of  our  work  has  been  a  failure,  and  citing  that  the  collections  for  the  year 
had  only  amounted  to  $2, 671,  whereas  the  appropriations  had  reached  more  than 
$4,500,  the  committee  recommended  the  above  change  in  the  by-laws,  and  sug- 
,  gested  the  following  modilicatious  of  this  work : 

We  wholly  discourage  collections  in  the  chiu-ches  for  a  Presbj'terial  evangelistic 
fund.  Our  well  matured  view  is,  that  collections  ought  to  be  taken  up  in  our 
■churches  for  this  work,  all  of  which  are  to  be  sent  to  the  treasury  of  your  commit- 
tee, and  that  then  the  evangelist's  whole  support,  supplementary  to  what  he  re- 
ceives from  the  field  immediately  served  by  him,  shall  be  drawn  from  the  central 
treasury.  It  will  be  thus  left  to  Presbyteries  to  fix  the  salaries  of  their  evangelists, 
to  determine  how  much  of  his  salary  ought  equitably  to  be  drawn  from  the  field 
served  by  him,  and  to  assign  this  part  to  the  field,  taking  measures  to  secure  its 
payment;  to  see  that  collections  are  raised  in  all  their  churches  and  fields,  whether 
they  have  the  stated  ministry  or  are  supplied  by  the  evangelists,  and  that  these  be 
forwarded  to  your  committee;  and  generally  to  superintend,  revise,  and  control 
the  work,  the  executive  committee  pledging  itself  to  jjay  back  to  every  Presbytery, 
on  the  demand  of  its  chairman  of  Sustentation,  at  least  so  much  as  its  churches 
contribute  to  this  cause.  We  hope  that  the  adoption  of  this,  or  some  such  plan, 
will  give  such  adaptation  and  working  jiower  to  our  scheme  that  all  the  Presbyte- 
ries will  feel  it  a  privilege  to  work  iinder  it,  and  that  certain  complications  now 
growing  oiit  of  mixed  methods  in  the  Presbyteries  will  be  avoided.  It  cannot  be 
disguised  that  Presbyterial  plans  for  raising  money  outside  of  the  Assembly's 
schenies  materially  interfere  with  the  prosecution  of  our  work,  and  unless  some 
system  be  devised  by  which  this  may  be  stojjped,  and  the  force  of  Presbyteries  be 
concentrated  in  carrying  forward  the  work  through  the  Church's  reorganized  agen- 
cies, we  apprehend  the  gravest  results  in  the  future,  as  they  have  been,  in  some 
measure,  experienced  in  the  past. 

1874,  p.  488.  To  the  overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  Macon  the  As- 
sembly rephes : 

(1.)  Rule  4,  by-laws  of  Committee  of  Sustentatiou,  appHes  solely  to 
the  funds  contributed  for  evangelistic  piu'poses. 

(2.)  All  such  funds  (for  evangelistic  pui-poses)  made  vpithia  the 
bounds  of  any  Presbytery,  co-operating  with  the  Assembly's  Executive 
Committee  of  Sustentation,  must,  by  rule  4,  (by-laws,  executive  commit- 
tee,) be  sent  to  that  committee 

297.  J^on-co- operating  churches  not  entitled  to  aid. 

1874,  p.  489.  The  Assembly  cannot  recognize  any  "church,"  or 
"  group  of  churches,"  of  any  Presbytery,  refusing  or  neglecting  to 
co-operate  with  the  Evangehstic  department  of  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Sustentation,  as  entitled  to  aid  from  that  committee. 

298.  Plan  of  Presbyterial  visitatio?i. 

1871,  p.  35.  The  Assembly  recommends  and  instructs  the  Presby- 
teries to  observe  the  following  measiu'es: 

To  institute  and  provide  for  a  visitation  of  all  its  churches  by  com- 
missions of  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  to  see  how  each  one  of  them 
stands  in  relation  to  this  matter;  to  exhort  those  who  have  heretofore 
co-operated  with  the  Sustentation  cause  to  still  further  and  larger  ef- 
forts on  its  behalf ;  to  encourage  such  as  are  weak  and  de2)endent,  and 
stimulate  them  to  the  full  development  of  their  individual  resources ; 
to  unite  contiguous  feeble  churches,  as  far  as  possible,  into  self-support- 
ing charges ;  and  to  appoint  reUgious  services  by  the  elders  in  those 
that  are  still  vacant. 

In  connection  with  the  "sdsitation  provided  for  above,  to  arrange  a 
plan  of  evangehstic  and  missionaiy  labor  on  the  part  of  its  pastors  and 
stated  sujoplies,  according  to  which  each  one  of  them,  with  the  consent 


Secs.  299-303.  J  The  Agencies  of  the  Chithch.  153 

of  their  several  charges,  shaU,  cluriBg  the  next  twelve  months  there- 
after, devote  to  such  labor  in  vacant  churches  and  missionary  fields  so 
much  time  as,  in  additioii  to  that  employed  in  the  above  plan  of  visita- 
tion, shall  amount  to  one  month. 

That  each  Presbytery  be  required  to  present  to  the  next  Assembly  a 
special  written  report  of  its  action  in  regard  to  the  foregoing  resolu- 
tion. And  the  Assembly  would  hereby  solemnly  exhort  and  beseech 
the  Presbyteries,  by  all  the  precious  interests  involved,  and  by  their  re- 
spect for  its  own  authority  in  the  Lord,  to  give  due  diligence  in  per- 
formance of  the  duties  hereby  requii'ed  of  them. 

(Eleven  of  our  fifty-five  Presbyteries  reported  as  required  in  resolu- 
tion 3,  above.) 

299.  Mule  reqxdrin<j  Presbyteries  to  report  to  the  Assembly  repealed. 

1875,  p.  21.  The  action  of  the  Assembly  calling  for  written  reports 
from  the  Presbyteries  on  evangelistic  labor  is  hereby  rescinded,  and 
hereafter  so  much  of  the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Sustentation  as  refers  to  evangelistic  labor  shall  be  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Evangelistic  Labor,  to  be  reported  on 
by  them  to  the  General  Assembly. 

300.  Standing  Committee  discontinued. 

1876,  p.  221.  Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  Presbyteries  no  longer 
report  upon  this  subject  directly  to  the  Assembly,  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  Evangelistic  Labor  be  abolished,  and  the  whole  subject  in  the 
future  be  remanded  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Sustentation. 

301.  Evangelistic  'work  in  2\.xas. 

1881,  p.  371.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Home  Missions,  to  whom 
was  referred  the  memorial  and  petition  of  the  Presbytery  of  Western 
Texas,  respectfuDy  recommend  the  reference  of  this  memorial  to  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions,  at  Baltimore,  with  the  earnest 
hope  that  the  Committee  may  be  able  to  throw  four  or  five  evangelists 
into  the  broad  and  destitute  territory  indicated  in  said  memorial,  and 
in  order  to  their  maintenance,  the  churches  are  lu'ged  to  make  early 
and  liberal  contributions  to  this  special  object.     Adopted. 

1882,  p.  585.  The  treasmrer  of  the  executive  committee  reported 
$2,193.28  contributed  as  a  special  fimd  for  Texas  evangelists.  The  re- 
ceipts for  the  next  year  Mere  SG5G,  of  which  S513,  remaining  over  after 
all  obligations  were  discharged,  was  transferred  to  the  regular  fund. 

302.    Column  for 'Evangelistic  fund  2:>laced  in  Preshyterial  blanks. 
1871,  p.  522.     The  Assembly  so  ordered. 

S03.  ISynodical  Evangelist. 

1883,  p.  38.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  answer  the  over- 
tures from  the  Presbyteiies  of  IVIissoui'i,  Potosi,  and  St.  Louis,  as  fol- 
lows :  "While  fully  appreciating  the  earnest  desire  of  these  Presbyteries 
for  the  enlargement  of  Zion  and  the  strengthening  of  the  feeble 
churches  in  theu'  boimds,  the  General  Assemblv  has  no  authoritv  for 


154      '  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

the  apiDointment  of  a  Syuodical  evangelist  or  Synodical  superintendent 
of  missions. 

304.  Evangelism  in  the  Seminaries. 

1886,  p.  44.  In  reference  to  the  overture  from  Lafayette  Pres- 
byterj^  touching  EvangeHstic  work,  your  committee  w^ould  recom- 
mend : 

That  the  Assembly  remind  the  churches,  («)  That  Presbyterianism 
cannot  accomplish  its  mission  unless  it  become  more  aggressive ;  (5) 
That  constant  aggressiveness,  in  other  words,  preaching  the  gosj)el  to 
the  regions  beyond,  is  one  great  mission  of  the  Church ;  (c)  Thati^reach- 
ing  the  gospel  to  the  poor  is  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the 
true  Church. 

That  the  Assembly  hereby  recommend  our  Seminaries  to  make  due 
provision  for  proper  instruction  upon  this  subject,  either  by  procuring 
annually  a  series  of  lectures  by  some  regularly  ordained  and  exper- 
ienced evangelist,  or  by  adding  to  the  course  on  Pastoral  Theology  the 
full  instruction  concerning  evangelism,  which  its  pressing  importance 
demands. 

305.    Tlie  Worlcman  legacy  for  the  Kentucky  field. 

1886,  p.  55.  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  are 
authorized  to  take  such  legal  steps,  and  execute  such  legal  papers,  as 
are  necessary  to  enable  the  Board  to  receive  the  moneys  coming  to  the 
Board  under  the  terms  of  the  compromise  which  has  been  made  in  ref- 
erence to  the  wiU  of  Wm.  Workman,  deceased,  and  to  invest  said  moneys 
in  some  safe  interest-bearing  securities ;  and  that  the  Board  shaU  pay 
over  the  annual  interest  accruing  from  said  investment  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  Synod  of  Kentuck}',  to  be  applied  under  the  directions  of  that 
Synod  in  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  extension  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  within  the  bounds  of  said  Synod,  in  accordance 
with  the  provisions  of  the  said  wiU  of  Wm.  Workman. 

306.  Regulations  apjylying  to  the  Evangelistic  fund,  adopted  for  the 
gidd'ince  of  the  executive  committee. 

From  the  Manual : 

1.  The  time  lor  the  annual  collection  is  the  first  Sabbath  in  Septem- 
ber, or  as  soon  thereafter  as  may  be  practicable. 

2.  Appropriations  from  this  fund  will  be  made  in  January,  one-half 
being  paid  immediately  and  the  balance  in  July,  subject  to  the  condi- 
tions which  are  specitied  under  Sustentation  Fund,  iSlo.  2. 

3.  By-law  No.  4  must  be  rigidly  observed  in  the  conduct  of  this 
work. 

The  following  particulars  are  worthy  of  special  notice : 

{a)  The  evangelist  is  "  an  officer."  He  must,  therefore,  be  an  or- 
dained minister.  A  licentiate  does  not  fulfil  the  requirements  of  the 
rule,  and  cannot  receive  an  appropriation  from  this  fund. 

{h)  He  is  "  duly  and  formally  set  apart  by  a  Presbytery."  His  work, 
therefore,  is  specific  and  important. 

(c)  His  duty  is  to  "  take  (charge  of  feeble  churches  and  destitute 
fields."  His  work,  therefore,  is  not  to  j^rea^h  in  churches  already  sup- 
pUed  with  the  ministrations  of  the  Word,  but  to  represent  the  Presby- 


Secs.  307, 308.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  155 

teiy  in  j)laces  where  his  serN-ices  are  needed  to  strengthen  the  weak  and 
build  uj)  new  organizations. 

{(l)  The  executive  committee  does  not  pay  a  salarj'  to  the  evangehst, 
except  b}'  way  of  supj)lement,  or  until  they  are  certified  that  the  fields 
served  by  him  are  contributing  their  equitable  proportion  to  his  sup- 
port, nor  then  unless  the  Presb}i:eiy  conducts  its  work  on  the  Assem- 
bly's plan. 

(e)  It  is  contemplated  that  the  evangehst's  salary  shall  be  such  an 
amount  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  Presbyterv'  shall  be  sufficient  to  en- 
able him  to  devote  his  whole  time  unembarrassed  to  his  work,  and  to 
keeji  him  without  iuteiTuption  in  the  field.  Great  care  ought  to  be 
taken  by  Presbyteries  in  the  selection  of  this  officer,  and  great  honor 
be  put  upon  the  office.  The  duty  of  appointing  him  should  seldom  be 
entrusted  to  a  committee,  and  such  appointments  should  never  be  sanc- 
tioned and  continued  imless  Presbjtery  is  fully  satisfied  of  their  suita- 
bility. No  minister  who  is  unwiUing  to  work  on  the  Assembly's  plan 
ought  to  be  appointed  an  evangelist  by  a  co-operating  Presbytery. 
The  executive  committee  are  prohibited  from  making  an  appropriation 
to  such.     By-laws  9-12  are  imperative. 

4.  Applications  for  aid  from  the  Evangelistic  fund  ought  to  be  sent 
in  by  the  Presbyterial  committees  in  December,  so  that  they  may  re- 
ceive the  most  favorable  consideration  at  the  time  of  annual  appropria- 
tion in  January. 

Note  :  Up  to  1874  appropriations  were  made  in  Marcli,  when  tlie  Siistentation 
ai^iiropriatious  were  made. — A. 

307.  ^Vork  among  our  colored  people  assh/ned  to  the   Connnittee  of 

Domestic  Missions. 

18G1,  p.  20.  Resolved,  That  the  great  field  of  missionaiy  operations 
among  om-  colored  population  falls  more  immediately  under  the  care  of 
the  Committee  on  Domestic  IMissioiis;  and  that  committee  be  urged  to 
give  it  serious  and  constant  attention,  and  the  Presbyteries  to  co-operate 
M  ith  the  committee  in  secui'ing  pastors  and  missionaries  for  this  field. 

308.  Pastoral  letter  on  the  religions  instruction,  of  the  colored  jy^Ojyle. 

18G1,  p.  15.     On  motion  of  Dr.  Lyon,  the  Assembly 

Jie.-iolved,  That  a  committee,  of  which  Dr.  Jcmes  shall  be  chairman, 
shall  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  Pastoral  Letter  on  the  subject  of  the 
rehgious  instruction  of  the  colored  people,  to  be  submitted  to  the  next 
General  Assembly. 

At  his  own  request  Dr.  Jones  was  excused  from  serving  as  chairman 
of  this  committee.  The  committee  was  afterwards  constituted  as  fol- 
lows :  Dr.  James  A.  Lyon,  Dr.  C.  C.  Jones,  and  Dr.  Theodoric  Pryor. 

1863,  p.  126.  Pev.  Dr.  James  A.  Lyon  read  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  first  Assembly  to  prepare  an  address  to  the 
churches  on  the  sul)ject  of  Slavery,  which  was  received,  and,  on  motion 
of  Dr.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  this  paper  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  at  least  one 
commissioner  from  each  Synod,  to  consider  its  subject-matter,  to  sug- 
gest what  disposal  shoiUd  be  made  of  it,  and  to  report,  at  the  same 
time,  some  plan  by  which  the  religious  and  moral  improvement  of  our 
slaves  may  be  more  effectually  secured. 


156  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genebal  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

This  committee  consists  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Wilson,  Eev.  W.  Baird,  Dr.  John 
N.  Waddel,  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer,  Rev.  A.  Baker,  Eev.  J.  M.  Atkinson, 
Eev.  T.  E.  Peck,  Judge  ^Miitner,  D.  A.  Davis,  James  F.  King,  Col. 
Preston,  G.  S.  Cecil,  W.  A.  Bartlett,  and  Col.  G.  J.  S.  Walker. 

P.  138.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  address  of  Dr. 
Lyon  respectfully  report,  that  in  view  of  the  great  leng-th  of  the  ad- 
dress, the  variety  and  importance  of  the  topics  involved  in  it,  and  the 
difficulty  of  examining  it  thoroughly  in  manuscript  foiin,  they  would 
embody  their  recommendation  in  the  following  resolution,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  this  address  be  recommitted  to  the  Eev.  Dr.  Lyon,. 
Dr.  J.  Leighton.WUson,  Dr.  Palmer,  Mr.  D.  A.  Davis,  Mr.  G.  J.  S. 
Walker,  and  Judge  J.  N.  Whitner,  to  consider  the  subject-matter  of 
the  same,  and  report  at  the  next  General  Assembly :  and  that  in  the 
meantime  they  are  authorized  to  publish  the  address  of  Dr.  Lyon  in 
any  way  they  may  think  best :  and  further,  that  the  rej^ort  they  may 
propose  to  submit  to  the  next  Assembly  be  printed  in  advance  of  the 
meeting  for  the  use  of  the  members. 

1864,  p.  283.  The  second  order  of  the  day,  ^dz.  :  to  hear  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Eehgious  Instruction,  etc.,  of  the  Negroes, 
was  called  up,  when  the  Eev.  Dr.  Lyon,  chairman  of  said  committee, 
proceeded  to  read  said  report,  which  was  discussed. 

Pending  this  discussion,  on  motion  of  W.  L.  Mitchell,  the  Assembly 
heard,  in  connection  with  Dr.  Lyon's  report,  a  minority  rejiort,  which 
was  presented  and  read  by  the  Eev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  above-named  committee. 

On  motion  of  W.  L.  Mitchell,  these  reports  were  both  referred  to  a 
committee,  of  which  Dr.  Dabney  shall  be  the  chairman,  to  report  action 
with  reference  to  them  to  this  Assembly,  if  practicable ;  and  if  not,  to 
the  next  Assembly.  The  other  members  of  this  committee  were  an- 
nounced by  the  moderator  as  follows:  the  Eev.  E.  Mclnnis,  Eev.  Dr. 
Kirkpatrick,  W.  L.  Mitchell,  and  Samuel  Barnett. 

1865,  p.  351.  The  following  letter  was  read  from  Dr.  Dabney,  and 
admitted  to  record,  whereupon  the  committee  was  discharged.  The 
letter  was  addressed  to  the  moderator. 

Eev.  and  Deae  Bkothek:  I  beg  leave  to  retiirn  to  the  General  Assembi.y.  through 
you,  the  papers  of  the  committee,  revised  by  that  body  at  Charlotte,  N.  C. ,  in  May, 
1864,  touching  the  relations  of  the  Church  to  our  slave  population  A  previous 
committee,  of  which  Dr.  Lyon,  of  Mississippi,  was  chairman,  had  prepared  a  re- 
port, and  this  was  submitted,  with  further  instructions,  to  a  committee,  consisting 
of  Messrs  Dabney,  Mclnnis,  Kirkpatrick,  Mitchell,  and  Barnett,  to  rept)rt  iu 
May,  1865. 

The  same  public  calamities  which  prevented  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  has 
prevented  action  by  this  committee.  I  have  not  assembled  them  since,  because 
the  almost  impossibility  of  travelling  made  it  unreasonaljle,  and  the  violent  revolu- 
tion which  has  since  occurred  makes  the  relations  of  the  Africans  to  us  so  different 
from  the  former.  As  the  subject  is  now  totally  new,  I  have  judged  it  best  to  remit 
it  into  the  hands  of  the  Assembly,  in  order  tliat  they  may  be  unobstructed  in  the 
power  of  forming  a  new  committee,  and  of  issuing  new  instructions,  should  they 
see  proper. 

309.  A  plan  for  the  religions  instruction  of  colored  people. 

1865,  p,  369.  Resolved,  That  there  be  a  committee  to  prepare  and 
submit  to  the  next  General  Assembly,  for  review  and  approval,  a  prac- 
tical scheme  or  plan  for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  colored  jjeople 
adapted  to  their  now  altered  civil  and  social  condition,  and  that  this 


Skc.  309.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtjech.  157 

committee  be  earnestly  desired  to  give  to  this  task  their  best  attention 
and  efforts. 

P.  370.  Overtiu'e :  "NMiat  is  the  course  to  be  piu'siied  towards  the 
colored  people  within  our  bounds  ? 

On  this  subject  your  committee  recommend  the  following  action : 

Whereas  the  colored  people  never  stood  in  any  other  relation  to  the 
Church  than  that  of  human  beings  lost  with  us  in  the  fall  of  Adam, 
and  redeemed  with  us  by  the  inlinitely  meritorious  death  and  sacrifice 
of  Christ,  and  participants  \\ith  us  in  aU  the  benefits  and  blessings  of 
the  gospel ;  and  whereas  our  clnu'ches,  pastors,  and  people  have  always 
recognized  this  claim  to  Christian  equality  and  brotherhood,  and  have 
rejoiced  to  have  them  associated  in  Chiistian  union  and  commimion  in 
the  public  ser\ices  and  precious  sacraments  of  the  sanctuary : 

Resolved,  1st,  That  the  abolition  of  slavery  by  the  ci^il  and  inihtaiy 
powers  has  not  altered  the  relations  as  above  defined  in  which  our 
Church  stands  to  the  colored  people,  nor  in  any  degree  lessened  the 
debt  of  love  and  service  which  Ave  owe  to  them,  nor  the  interest  with 
which  we  would  still  desire  to  be  associated  Avith  them  in  aU  the  privi- 
leges of  our  common  Christianity. 

Mesolred,  2d,  That  whereas  experience  has  invariably  proved  the 
advantages  of  the  colored  people  and  the  white  being  vmited  together 
in  the  worship  of  God,  we  see  no  reason  why  it  should  be  othervsise, 
now  that  they  are  freedmen  and  not  slaves.  Should  oui-  colored  friends 
think  it  best  to  separate  from  us,  and  organize  themselves  into  distinct 
congregations  under  white  pastors  and  elders  for  the  present,  or  under 
colored  elders  and  pastors  as  soon  as  God  in  his  providence  shall  raise 
up  men  suitably  qualified  for  those  offices,  this  Chm*ch  will  do  all  in  its 
power  to  encourage,  foster,  and  assist  them. 

Resolved,  3d,  That  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  of  Charleston  Presby- 
tery ;  Eev.  David  Wills,  of  Hopewell  Presbytery ;  Rev.  H.  C.  Alexan- 
der and  Rev.  Alexander  Martui,  of  Roanoke  Presbytery,  and  Dr.  J.  L. 
Wilson,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  report  on  this  whole  subject,  and 
to  recommend  ac-ti(jn  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

Resolved,  4th,  That  the  committee  appointed  in  the  above  resolution 
be  also  the  committee  provided  for  in  the  report  on  Domestic  Mis- 
sions.    Adopted. 

1866,  p.  20.  The  chairman  of  this  committee  informed  the  Assem- 
bly that  no  report  had  as  yet  been  prepared.  A  paper  sent  by  the 
Eev.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  the  chaimian  of  the  committee,  was  ordered  to 
be  read.  Amendments  were  offered  by  Drs.  Atkinson  and  Palmer,  and 
the  whole  discussed. 

P.  33.  An  amendment,  by  way  of  substitute  for  the  whole,  was  of- 
fered by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Baird.  After  discussion,  the  whole  subject  was 
recommitted  to  the  same  committee  which  had  brought  in  the  report, 
the  Rev.  Drs.  Baird  and  Atkinson,  and  Ruling  Elder  J.  L.  Mars-e,  Jr., 
bemg  added  to  it. 

P.  35.  This  committee  made  a  report,  wliiuh  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows : 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  entertains  for  the  freed  people  the 
sincerest  sentiments  of  good  will  and  affection ;  that  it  earnesth'  desires 
and  prays  for  theii'  salvation,  and  would  encourage  the  emploATaent  of 
every  legitimate  means  for  the  promotion  of  their  spiritual  good ;  that 
this  Assembly  beheves  the  present  condition  of  the  colored  race  in  this 


158  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

countr}^  to  be  one  of  aJ arming  spiritual  jeopardy,  and  that  it  is  binding 
on  us,  as  Chiistians,  to  do  all  that  lies  in  our  jDower  to  save  them  from 
the  calamities  by  which  they  are  threatened,  and  to  confer  on  them  the 
rich  blessings  of  the  gospel. 

2.  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  our  ministers  and  churches  to  exert 
themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  to  continue  to  give  the  gospel 
to  these  people;  to  church  sessions  to  urge  upon  parents  among  them 
the  duty  of  presenting  their  children  for  baptism,  and  of  bringing  them 
up  in  the  nvu'ture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord ;  and  especially  to  pas- 
tors, evangeHsts,  and  missionaries,  to  devote  a  portion  of  their  labors  to 
the  promotion  of  the  salvation  of  the  freed  people. 

3.  That  in  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  it  is  highly  inexpedient 
that  there  should  be  an  ecclesiastical  separation  of  the  white  and  col- 
ored races ;  that  such  a  measure  would  threaten  evil  to  both  races,  and 
especially  to  the  colored,  and  that  therefore  it  is  desirable  that  every 
warrantable  effort  be  made  affectionately  to  dissuade  the  freed  people 
from  severing  their  connection  with  our  churches,  and  to  retain  them 
with  us  as  of  old.  Should  they  decline  this  fellowship  of  ordinances, 
and  desire  a  separate  organization,  then  our  sessions  are  avithorized  to 
organize  them  into  branch  congregations.  In  such  cases,  the  Assembly 
recommends  that  such  congregations  shall  be  allowed,  under  the  sanc- 
tion of  the  sessions,  to  elect  from  among  themselves,  every  year,  such 
number  of  superintendents  or  watchmen  as  the  session  may  advise,  who 
shall  be  charged  with  the  oversight  of  such  congregations.  These 
superintendents  shall  report  to  the  sessions,  for  their  action,  all  matters 
relating  to  the  welfare  of  said  congregations. 

4.  Whenever  Presbyteries  may  find  it  necessary  to  organize  separate 
colored  congTegations,  they  shall  appoint  a  commission  of  elders,  who 
shall  discharge  the  functions  committed  to  the  sessions  in  the  preceding 
resolution. 

5.  That  whilst  nothing  in  our  standards  or  in  the  Word  of  God  pro- 
hibits the  introduction  into  the  gospel  ministry  of  duly  qualified  per- 
sons of  any  race,  yet  difficulties  arise  in  the  general  structure  of  society, 
and  from  providential  causes,  which  may  and  should  restrain  the  appli- 
cation in  the  Church  of  this  abstract  principle.  Holding  this  in  view, 
the  Assembly  recommends  that  wherever  a  session  or  Presbytery  shall 
find  a  colored  jDcrson  who  possesses  suitable  qualifications,  they  be  au- 
thorized to  license  him  to  labor  as  an  exhorter  among  the  colored  peo- 
ple, under  the  supervision  of  the  body  appointing  him. 

6.  That  the  Assembly  recommends  that,  wherever  it  is  practicable. 
Sabbath-schools  for  the  benefit  of  the  freed  people,  especially  the  young, 
be  established  in  connection  with  our  churches,  and  that  the  sessions  of 
the  chui'ches  take  these  schools  into  their  charge,  and  provide  suitable 
teachers  for  them. 

7.  That  the  heads  of  families  a^'e  exhorted  to  encourage  the  freed 
people  in  their  households  to  attend  upon  family  and  public  worship, 
and  that  they  provide  for  them,  as  far  as  possible,  catechetical  in- 
struction in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  the  g  )spel. 

8.  That  the  General  Assembly  eai'nestly  desires  the  intellectual  and 
moral  improvement  of  the  colored  race,  and  hereby  tenders  to  aU  per- 
sons suitably  qualified,  who  may  labor  in  this  work,  its  hearty  encour- 
agement and  support. 


Sec.  310.]  Thk  Agencies  of  the  Church.  159 

It  was  resolved  that  the  elaborate  report  on  the  above  subject  by  the 
Eev.  J.  L.  Gii'ardeau  be  pubHshed  in  the  ^Southern  Presbyterian  Me- 
vieio. 

1867,  p.  145.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  report  an 
overture  from  the  Synod  of  Vii'ginia,  proposing  a  revocation  of  the  acts 
of  the  last  Assembly  on  the  relation  of  our  Church  to  the  colored  peo- 
ple ;  also  an  overtiu'e  from  the  Presb_)i;ery  of  MississijDj^i,  proposing  such 
a  modification  of  said  action  "as  shall  authorize  the  Presbyteries,  in 
the  exercise  of  their  discretion,  to  ordain  to  the  gospel  ministry-,  and  to 
organize  into  sej^arate  congregations,  duly  qualified  persons  of  the  col- 
ored race,  and  so  declare  that  mere  race  or  color  is  not  regarded  as  a 
bar  to  office  or  pri\'ilege  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States."     Your  committee  rejDort  the  following  minute : 

Hesolved,  1,  That  believing  the  resolutions  of  the  last  Assembly,  pp. 
35  and  36,  were  evidently  designed  to  be  of  temporary  operation,  and 
that  they  contain  many  clauses  w^hich  do  not  adequately  express  the 
sentiments  of  oiu'  Chui'ch  on  the  svibject  contemplated,  they  be  and  are 
hereby  revoked. 

2.  That  inasmuch  as,  according  to  om-  constitution,  the  duty  of  ad- 
mitting candidates  to  the  office  of  the  gospel  ministry  devolves  solely  on 
the  Presbytei'ies,  and  that  of  electing  elders  and  deacons  solely  on  the 
congTegations,  all  male  jDersons  of  proper  quahfications  for  such  offices, 
of  whatever  race,  color,  or  civil  condition,  must  be  admitted  or  elected 
by  these  authorities  respectively,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of 
our  Church  government  and  in  the  exercise  of  a  sound  Christian  dis- 
cretion. 

3.  That  the  Assembly  dechnes,  on  the  ground  of  constitutional  in- 
competency, to  make  any  declaration  resj^ecting  the  future  ecclesiastical 
organizations  of  such  freedmen  as  may  belong  to  oui'  commimion,  be- 
lieving that  the  responsibihty,  as  well  as  the  course  to  be  piu'sued,  de- 
volves on  those  j^ersons,  who  are  both  politically  and  ecclesiastically 
free,  as  all  others,  to  sei've  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own 
consciences. 

4.  The  Assembly  earnestly  enjoins  on  all  our  ministers  and  people  to 
use  all  dihgence  in  affectionate  and  discreet  efforts  for  the  spiritual 
benefit  of  the  colored  race  within  reach  of  their  private  and  public  min- 
istrations, and  to  seek,  by  all  lawful  means,  to  introduce  them  into  a 
permanent  connection  with  oui*  Church ;  and  for  this  purpose,  the  As- 
sembly recognizes  the  lawfulness  of  measiu'es  such  as  have  long  been 
used  in  various  portions  of  oiu-  Church,  contemplating  the  judicious 
selection  and  empkmnent  of  the  more  pious  and  intelligent  persons 
among  colored  communicants  in  suitable  official  capacities  for  the  spiiit- 
ual  benefit  of  their  own  race.     Adopted. 

810.    Co-operation  with,  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Committee  on 

Preednien. 

1869,  p.  373.  Dr.  A\'ilson  also  presented  a  verbal  statement  con" 
earning  the  action  of  the  Old  School  General  Assembly  (North),  and  a 
correspondence  he  had  held  with  the  secretary'  of  its  Committee  on 
Freedmen,  as  to  a  co-operation  between  our  churches  in  labors  for  the 
benefit  of  this  class  of  people. 

In  connection  with  this,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Girardeau  obtained  leave  to 
present  an  overtui-e  from  sundry  persons  bearing  upon  this  subject; 


160  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

and  the  whole  matter  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  moderator,  and  to  consist  of  one  minister  and  one  elder 
from  each  Sjoiod. 

P.  374.  The  following  were  appointed  such  committee :  Rev.  J.  L. 
Girardeau,  D.  D.,  J.  A.  Reedy ;  J.  N.  Lewis,  H.  W.  Heath ;  J.  J.  Long,  J. 
H.  Johnston:  H.  Quigg,  J.  J.  Gresham;  John  D.  Matthews,  D.  D.,  D. 
H.  Hughes;  J.  N.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  A.  G.  Buford;  Joseph  Bardwell,  E. 
S.  Keep;  G.  A.  Caldwell,  John  W.  Burton;  John  Douglas,  Thomas 
Webb ;  J.  R.  Hutchinson,  D.  D.,  R.  H.  Orr ;  W.  T.  Richardson,  G. 
Dabney  Gray. 

P.  379.  The  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  statement 
of  the  secretary  of  Sustentation  relating  to  the  subject  of  a  proposed 
co-operation  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  Ameiica  with  the  General  Assembly  of  our  Chui'ch 
in  labors  among  the  freedmen,  would  respectfully  recommend  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following  resolutions  : 

JResolved,  1,  That,  inasmuch  as  the  correspondence  of  the  secretary 
of  the  Committee  on  Freedmen  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  with  the  secretary  of 
Sustentation  of  our  Chiu'ch  has  developed  no  practicable  mode  of  co-oper- 
ation between  the  two  Churches  in  efforts  to  evangelize  the  freedmen, 
this  Assembly  is  not  prepared  to  take  any  steps  contemplating  the  pro- 
posed concert  of  action. 

Resolved,  2,  That  the  secretary  of  Sustentation  is  hereby  instructed 
to  communicate  the  foregoing  resolution  to  the  Committee  on  Freedmen 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America.     Adoj)ted. 

311.  A  plan  inaugurated. 

1869,  p.  388.  The  same  committee  reported  further  the  following, 
which,  being  amended,  was  adopted : 

The  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  overture  of  several 
ministers  and  ruling  elders,  asking  the  Assembly,  in  view  of  the  great 
desirableness  of  such  action,  to  adopt  some  definite  plan  of  operation 
among  the  colored  peoj^le,  and  to  recommend  the  same  to  the  Presby- 
teries and  churches  in  connection  vnth  it,  would  respectfully  present  the 
following  report : 

Our  Church,  thi-ough  her  General  Assemblies,  since  the  year  1866, 
has  expressed  her  kindly  feelings  for  the  freed  people,  and  deprecated 
their  ahenation  from  her  fold.  The  developments  of  providence,  how- 
ever, have  not  hitherto  appeared  to  be  sufficiently  clear  to  warrant  the 
adoption  of  any  definite  scheme  of  operations  among  them,  designed  to 
be  uniform  and  general  in  its  application.  The  time  would  seem  to 
have  arrived  for  pronouncing  such  a  policy.  Your  committee  concur  in 
the  opinion  of  the  petitioners,  that  it  is  highly  desirable  that  some  such 
action  be  taken  by  the  Assembly  as  is  suggested  by  the  overture.  The 
want  of  a  recognized  and  general  plan  is  tending  to  the  adoption  of 
variant  and  incongruous  lines  of  pohcy  in  different  parts  of  our  Church. 
The  result  will  be,  that  our  relations  to  the  colored  race  and  our  schemes 
of  labor  among  them  wiU  become  needlessly  complicated  and  confused. 

The  prominent  view  which  has  impressed  itself  on  the  minds  of  the 
committee,  and  which  they  respectfully  propose  for  the  consideration  of 
the  Assembly,  is,  that  the  colored  people  who  adhere  to  us  be  allowed 


Sec.  311.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  161 

a  formative  organization,  a  sort  of  gradually  maturing  process,  to  be 
ai'rested  at  a  certain  point,  until,  imder  proper  training,  it  is  prepared 
to  pass  on  towards  completion.  To  be  more  explicit,  what  tbey  need  is, 
for  the  present,  separate,  particular  cbiux-bes,  witb  their  own  deacons 
and  elders,  and  at  the  same  time  instruction  by  an  educated  white 
ministiy,  mitil  they  can  prove  their  abihty  to  produce  a  competent  min- 
istry of  their  own.  To  combine  these  requii'ements  into  a  practical 
scheme  w'ould,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  go  far  towards  solv- 
ing the  vexed  problem  of  our  relations  to  them  and  our  operations 
among  them.  In  this  way,  moreover,  may  alone  be  reaUzed,  if  at  aU, 
the  hope  that  from  their  number  men  may  aiise  who  would  carry  the 
gospel  to  their  benighted  kinsmen  in  Africa,  In  conformity  to  this 
leading  idea,  the  committee  wovild,  with  great  deference,  submit  to  the 
Assembly  the  following  plan  for  its  consideration,  and  if  the  way  be 
deemed  clear,  for  its  adoption : 

1.  That  separate  colored  chiu'ches  may  be  established,  the  same  to 
be  miited  with  adjacent  white  chiu'ches  under  a  common  pastorate;  to 
be  allowed  to  elect  deacons  and  ruling  elders ;  and  to  be  represented 
in  the  upper  courts  by  the  pastors  in  charge  of  them,  and  by  the  ruling 
elders  of  the  white  churches  with  which  they  would  thus  be  associated, 
imtil  they  are  sufficiently  educated  to  warrant  their  becoming  indepen- 
dent :  Provided,  That  the  colored  people  themselves  do  not  oppose  a 
change  in  their  existing  relations,  and  that  they  consent  to  the  forego- 
ing arrangement. 

2.  That  where  no  white  churches  are  accessible,  evangehsts  may  es- 
tabhsh  colored  mission  aiy  churches,  and  preside  over  their  sessions  in 
admitting  members  and  exercising  discipline. 

3.  That  churches  in  cities  with  which  colored  chiu-ches  would,  on 
this  plan,  be  united,  may  secure,  if  practicable,  two  pastors  each,  in 
order  to  compass  the  work  contemplated. 

4.  That  a  committee  (say  of  two  ministers  and  one  ruling  elder)  may 
be  appointed  b}'  each  Synod,  to  cany,  in  co-operation  with  pastors  and 
presbyterial  evangehsts,  this  scheme  into  effect,  as  fai*  as  practicable, 
in  its  bounds ;  one  member  of  each  committee  to  act  as  evangehst  among 
the  colored  people,  and  to  receive  his  support,  in  part,  from  the  Assem- 
bly's Committee  of  Sustentation. 

5.  That  suitable  colored  men  may  be  employed  to  speak  the  word  of 
exhortation  to  their  people,  under  the  direction  of  pastors  or  evangelists. 

6.  That  when  colored  candidates  for  the  ministiy  are  able  to  stand 
the  usual  examination,  Presb^'teries  may  proceed  to  license  them ;  and 
in  the  event  of  these  licentiates  being  qualified  and  desired  to  take 
charge  of  colored  churches,  Presbyteries  may  either  ordain  and  install 
them  over  such  churches  still  holding  their  connection  with  us,  or  ordain 
and  install  them  over  such  churches,  with  the  understanding  that  they 
shall  thenceforward  be  ecclesiastically  separated  from  us. 

7.  That  such  of  our  ministers  as  are  willing  to  chscharge  that  office 
are  encoiu'aged  to  assist  trustworthy  colored  men  who  seek  the  gospel 
ministiy,  in  their  preparations  for  the  same. 

8.  That  our  people  be  encouraged  to  give  the  colored  people  instruc- 
tion in  Sabbath-schools. 

9.  That  the  Assembly  recommends  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  plan 
of  operations  among  the  colored  people  to  Synods,  Presb}i;eries,  and 
churches,  so  far  as  it  is  practicable. 

II 


162  DtpxEst  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

312.  SeparaiK,  organization  for  the  colored  churches. 

1874,  p.  516.  The  subject  of  an  African  Chui'cli  was  taken  up,  and 
"the  following  paper  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Overtm-e  No.  8  is  a  paper  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  in 
November,  1872,  and  which  was  providentially  hindered  from  being  laid 
before  the  General  Assembly  which  met  at  Little  Eock  last  year.  It 
declares  that,  "  in  the  judgment  of  the  said  Synod,  the  way  is  clear  (the 
General  Assembly  concurring)  for  our  ministers  to  assist  the  colored 
people  to  organize  themselves  into  Presbyterian  churches,  separate 
from  ovir  Presbyteries,  with  the  understanding  that  they  may  look  to 
us  for  religious  instruction,  as  far  as  we  can  fm^nish  it,  until  God  in 
his  providence  shall  raise  up  comjoetent  ministers  of  their  own  to  lead 
them  in  the  right  way." 

In  view  of  the  above,  and  to  promote  harmony  of  view  and  action  in 
the  whole  Chm-ch,  the  Synod  overtures  the  Assembly  to  reconsider  the 
plan  recommended  by  the  Assembly  in  1869.  This  action  of  Synod 
was  re-affirmed  at  their  nest  meeting. 

Overture  No.  9  is  a  memorial  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover, 
asking  the  Assembly  "  to  take  order  as  far  as  practicable  for  organiz- 
ing the  colored  members  into  a  separate  ecclesiastical  organization," 
this  being,  m  the  judgment  of  Presl3}iieiy,  the  best  solution  of  difficul- 
ties supposed  to  be  connected  with  the  plan  of  having  both  races  asso- 
ciated in  a  common  organization  ;  it  being  also  the  plan  which  is  most 
acceptable  to  the  colored  people  themselves,  and  which,  moreover,  ex- 
perience has  shown  to  be  most  successful.  Presbytery  invites  attention 
to  a  paper  to  be  j^resented  to  this  Assembly  from  the  Synod  of  Missis- 
sippi, ua  which  these  views  are  more  fully  presented. 

Overture  No  10  represents  that,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  of 
Memphis,  our  Church  can  most  efficiently  promote  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests of  the  colored  people  by  organizing  them  into  a  separate  church ; 
and  that  it  is  our  dut}"  to  initiate  such  a  work  at  the  earliest  day.  The 
Assembly  is  thereupon  overtured  to  provide  a  plan  for  the  use  of  our 
Presbyteries  in  prosecuting  such  a  work,  and  is  also  requested  to  pledge 
the  Chm'ch  to  assist  the  enterprise  with  whatever  counsel,  instruction, 
or  pecuniary  aid  may  be  in  om*  power. 

Overture  No.  11  is  a  memorial  from  the  Synod  of  Mississijjpi,  recit- 
ing the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  previous  years  with  a  view  to  evan- 
gelize the  colored  people.  It  sets  forth  that  the  several  acts  of  the  As- 
sembly's past  legislation  indicate  that  the  sentiment  of  our  Chiu'ch  has 
been  steadily  moving  in  this  direction,  and  that  a  natural  instinct  leads 
the  colored  people  to  desire  a  separate  organization ;  and  that  the  most 
hopeful  prospect  of  visefulness  to  them  is  that  which  can  best  assist 
them  in  the  process  of  self-development,  upon  which  they  have  entered. 
Such  being  the  case,  the  Synod  asks  the  Assembly  to  consider  that  the 
policy  of  advancing  the  work  of  evangelization  among  the  colored  peo- 
ple, by  aiding  them  to  secure  separate  organization  and  a  ministry  of 
their  own,  is  simple,  natural,  and  Hexible ;  and  further  asks  the  Assem- 
bly to  enact  such  legislation  as  will  enable  Presbyteries  and  churches 
to  carry  these  suggestions  into  effect. 

These  overtures,  coming  at  the  same  time  from  venerable  courts  in 
sections  of  the  country  so  widely  sejjarated,  clearly  indicate  that  there 
is  no  disposition  to  relax  our  activity  in  the  work  of  securing  the  bless- 
ings of  the  gospel  for  the  colored  race.     On  the  contrary,  from  all  parts 


Sec.  312.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  163 

of  the  Chm'cb,  the  Assembly  is  respectfully  urged  to  provide  means  for 
prosecuting  that  work  with  greater  vigor  and  success.  There  is  also  a 
striking  unanimity  of  sentiment  in  reference  to  the  best  methods  of  ac- 
comphshing  these  results. 

We  recommend,  in  answer  to  these  overtures,  that — 
The  Assembly  acknowledges  with  profound  satisfaction  the  Chris- 
tian zeal  of  our  Synods  and  Presbyteries  in  behalf  of  this  important 
"work. 

The  Assembly  approves  the  sentiment  of  those  venerable  courts ; 
that,  in  further  prosecuting  this  work,  it  is  desirable  in  every  respect 
to  avail  ourselves  of  the  additional  Hght  which  experience  has  thrown 
upon  this  important  question.  The  action  of  1860  is  therefore  hereby 
amended  by  the  adoption  of  the  following  j^lan,  to-wit : 

1.  Presb}-teries  and  sessions  are  recommended  to  encourage  and  aid 
in  the  formation  of  colored  churches,  having  ruling  elders  duly  chosea 
by  the  people,  to  be  regularly  ordained  and  installed  by  said  sessions 
and  Presbyteries,  with  the  view  to  form  these  churches  in  due  time  into 
Presbyteries,  as  convenience  may  dictate. 

2.  When  two  or  more  of  such  Presb^-teries  shall  exist,  they  may 
unite  to  form  a  Synod.  As  was  the  case  in  our  own  history,  this  may, 
for  a  time,  continue  to  be  their  highest  court.  A  time,  however,  may 
arrive  when,  from  the  increase  in  the  number  of  its  churches  and  Pres- 
byteries, said  Synod  may  tind  it  expedient  to  divide,  and  combine  in  a 
General  Assembly. 

3.  These  churches,  though  under  the  government  of  their  own  Pres- 
byteries, must  at  lirst,  and  to  a  large  extent,  be  dependent  for  instruc- 
tion upon  our  own  ministers  and  Presbyteiies,  until  colored  preachers 
can  be  obtained.  It  is  therefore  recommended  that,  for  the  present, 
Presbyteries,  through  committees  appointed  for  that  purpose,  take 
charge  of  the  prehminary  education  of  candidates.  Meantime  the 
Committee  on  Sustentation  are  requested  to  take  into  consideration 
the  best  method  of  providing  training  for  the  colored  candidates  for 
the  ministry,  and  report  thereupon  to  the  next  Assembty. 

4.  We  recommend  to  our  Presbyteries  a  hearty  co-operation  with 
theirs  in  seeking  from  amongst  them  men  of  approved  piety,  whether 
old  or  young,  who  are  suited  to  the  work  of  the  ministiy,  and  institute 
such  measures  as  may  seem  best  for  their  instruction.  It  may  be  suf- 
ficient for  the  present  emergency  that  the  candidates  be  instructed  in 
the  doctrines  of  grace  and  in  the  principles  of  Church  order,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  in  our  standards,  in  order  that,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  they  may  be  sent  forth  to  minister  in  the  Word. 

5.  We  further  recommend  that  our  churches  and  people  assist  these 
infant  organizations  whilst  they  are  struggling  toward  complete  devel- 
opment, aiding  in  the  establishment  and  instruction  of  Sunday-schools, 
and  contributing  to  the  erection  of  plain  and  modest  houses  in  which 
to  assemble  for  the  worship  of  God. 

6.  To  further  these  objects  a  separate  fund  shall  be  established,  to 
be  called  "The  Colored  Evangelistic  Fund."  This  fund  shall  be  ad- 
ministered by  the  Sustentation  Committee,  and  that  committee  is  re- 
quested to  invite  contributions  to  their  fund  from  all  persons  who  are 
favorable  to  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  colored  people  of  the  South, 
and  favorable  to  providing  them  with  an  educated  ministiy  of  their 
own. 


164  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Asseiibly.        [Book  IV. 

7.  Presbj^teries  engaged  in  this  work  are  authorized  to  enter  into 
correspondence  with  the  Sustentation  Committee,  and  to  request  such 
aid  and  co-operation  as  their  necessities  may  require  and  as  the  condi- 
tion of  the  fmid  may  enable  the  committee  to  give. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  overtures  answered  by  the  above 
paper  be  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes. 

They  are  found  on  pages  588-597,  Minvites  for  1874.  * 

1881,  p.  372.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Home  Missions,  to  whom 
was  referred  the  overture  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  respecting  the  or- 
ganization of  our  colored  churches  into  an  independent  body,  recom- 
mend the  following  resolution  for  adoption : 

Whereas  the  coloi'ed  people  have  always  manifested  a  preference  for 
an  organization  of  their  own,  which  has  been  recognized  by  us  at  all 
times  as  both  natural  and  proper,  the  attention  of  Synods  be  specially 
called  to  this  matter,  with  a  view  to  forming  such  churches  as  may  be 
within  their  bounds  into  Presbyteries,  if  the  way  should  seem  clear ; 
and  that  adjacent  Synods  correspond  with  each  other  in  the  incipiency 
of  this  movement,  in  order  to  secure  the  necessary  co-operation. 
Adopted. 

1883,  p.  49.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures 
on  the  organization  of  a  colored  church  was  adopted  as  follows : 

In  reply  to  the  overtures  on  the  subject,  the  following  action  is  recom- 
mended : 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  Synods  be  advised  and  instructed  to  organize 
the  colored  ministers  and  churches  under  their  care  into  separate  Pres- 
byteries as  speedily  as  they  can  do  so,  consistently  with  a  wise  regard 
to  stabihty  and  growth,  and  that  these  Presbyteries  should  be  formed 
into  an  independent  Synod  by  the  General  Assembly  as  soon  as  the 
way  may  be  clear. 

2.  In  the  meantime,  it  is  inexpedient  to  reopen  the  question  of  the 
constitutionality  of  the  Assembly's  decision  in  the  Park  case,  or  of  the 
plan  vmder  which  the  Chiu-ch  has  been  conducting  its  work  among  the 
colored  people. 

318.  Appropriations  hij  the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation  to 
aid  the  work  among  the  colored  people. 

1873,  p.  327.  In  regard  to  the  colored  population,  we  recommend 
the  General  Assembly  to  encourage,  by  their  cordial  and  expressed  ap- 
probation, any  and  all  contributions  heretofore  made  by  the  executive 
committee,  on  the  recommendation  of  Presbyteries,  to  sustain  any  la- 
bor of  love  among  this  class  of  our  population,  and  advise  them  to  con- 
tintie  in  this  line  of  action  until,  in  the  providence  of  God,  a  way  of 
more  definite  and  active  operation  shall  be  opened  up  before  us. 
Adopted. 

314.  Five  per  cent,  of  the  Sustentation  funds  appropriated  to  colored 

evangelization. 

1875,  p.  24.  Having,  after  much  anxious  deliberation,  settled  upon 
a  scheme  of  evangelization  acceptable  to  the  colored  people  themselves, 
and  generally  approved  by  our  ministers  and  churches,  that  scheme 
should  now  be  vigorously  supported  by  the  Uberality  of  our  churches, 
and  prosecuted  by  the  Presbyteries,  acting  through  the  Sustentation 


Secs.  315, 316.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chi-rch.  165 

Committee.  Aud  with  a  view  to  prevent  failure  in  this  work  of  evan- 
gehzation  in  its  ineipiency,  the  Executive  Coniiuittee  of  Sustentation  is 
hereby  authorized,  if  necessary,  to  appropriate,  for  the  present,  five 
per  cent,  of  the  Sustentation  funds  in  support  of  the  work  of  evan- 
gehzation  among  the  colored  people.  This  Assembly  recognizes  the 
special  obhgation  resting  upon  Southern  christians,  of  eveiy  name,  to 
give  the  gospel  to  this  class  of  oui-  population,  so  far  as  their  hmited 
means  permit. 

1879,  p.  51.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  removes  the  present  I'e- 
striction  which  binds  the  executive  committee  not  to  appropriate  for 
this  cause  more  ih-AW  f  i^c  per  cent,  of  the  whole  contributions  for  Home 
Missions.  The  Assembly  thinks  it  right  and  wise  to  leave  the  pro- 
portion of  appropriation  to  the  wisdom  of  the  committee. 

315.  Presbyteries  to  7'epo7't  to  t/ie  executive  committee  on  all  xcork  done 
for  colored  people. 

1879,  p.  50.  Resolved,  1,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  requested  to 
send  up  from  year  to  year  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Mis- 
sions statements  of  the  work  undertaken,  independently  of  the  execu- 
tive committee,  by  the  churches  under  their  care,  on  behalf  of  the 
colored  people,  and  of  the  contributions  made  in  support  of  such  work. 

1880,  ]).  221.  1.  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home 
Missions  be  directed  to  rejDort  to  the  General  Assembly,  year  by  year, 
a  compendious  statement  of  the  amoimts  of  money  contributed  for  the 
evangelization  of  the  colored  people,  and  of  the  amoimts  disbursed  by 
the  committee  for  the  same. 

Also,  that  the  committee  include  in  such  reports  the  amounts  con- 
tributed and  exiDended  on  behalf  of  the  same  object  by  individuals  and 
chiu'ches,  other  than  the  sums  passing  through  the  hands  of  the  com- 
mittee, as  far  as  those  amounts  can  be  ascertained ;  provided,  however, 
that  the  committee  shall  not  by  anything  in  this  resolution  be  restricted 
in  their  appropriations  in  behalf  of  the  colored  people  to  the  funds  re- 
ceived fur  their  sjjecial  and  exclusive  benefit. 

2.  Resolved,  That  oiu*  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  furnish  aimually 
to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions,  in  time  for  use  in  the 
preparation  of  the  aforesaid  reports,  statements,  as  full  and  par- 
ticular as  may  be  practicable,  of  the  funds  received  from  all  sovu'ces, 
and  of  those  exjiended  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  colored  people 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Presbyteries  respectively. 

316.  Bylaios  for  the  Colored  Evangelistic  Fund. 

This  fund  was  established  in  1874.  No  rules  or  precedents  prevail 
with  regard  to  its  administration,  except  that  it  is  subject  to  the  gen- 
eral principles  of  the  Sustentation  and  Evangelistic  work,  so  fai"  as  they 
may  be  applicable.  It  is  to  be  administered  wholly  with  reference  to 
the  extension  of  the  gospel  among  the  colored  people,  either  through 
ministers  of  theu-  own  race  or  by  ministers  of  our  Church,  and  all  ap- 
propi-iations  are  tt)  be  made  upon  the  recommendation  of  Presbyterial 
Committees  of  Domestic  Missions.  As  no  annual  collection  is  appointed 
for  this  object,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  brethren  who  feel  interested  in  it 
will  give  their  people  an  opj)ortunity  statedly  of  contributing  to  it,  so 
that  the  executive  committee  mav  be  able  to  cariT  out  the  benevolent 


166  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Booe  IV. 

intention  of  the  General  Assembly  with  regard  to  this  important  poi'- 
tion  of  onr  population.  The  General  Assembly  has  directed  the  execu- 
tive committee  to  supplement  the  deficiencies  of  this  fund,  so  far  as 
may,  in  its  judgment,  be  proper,  by  appropriations  from  the  Sustenta- 
tion  fund.  Presbyteries  are  also  requested  to  report  to  the  Executive 
Committee  of  Home  Missions  aU  that  is  being  done  in  their  bounds 
for  this  branch  of  the  \voi"k,  so  that  its  state  may  be  annually  set  forth 
in  its  rej)orts.  Applications  for  aid  ought  to  be  made,  as  far  as  practi- 
cable, in  Febiaiary,  so  as  to  be  considered  at  the  March  meeting  of  the 
executive  committee.     (Taken  from  the  Manual.) 

317.  Missionao'ies  among  the  colored 2^eople. 

1885,  p.  422.  In  answer  to  the  overtures  from  Charleston  and  Eethel 
Presbyteries,  and  the  suggestions  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home 
Missions  in  its  report,  in  regard  to  evangelistic  work  among  the  colored 
people,  the  following  action  is  recommended :  That  the  Assembly  em- 
powers the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions  to  deal  in  this  work 
directly  with  men  and  fields,  and  that,  when  a  Presbytery  shall  endorse 
one  of  its  white  ministers  as  a  suitable  person  to  engage  in  missionary 

'  labor  among  the  colored  race,  and  gives  him  permission  so  to  do,  the 
executive  committee,  if  it  can  command  the  means,  may  employ  him ; 
and  that  it  may  also  employ  any  colored  Presbyterian  minister,  proj^erly 
endorsed,  to  go  and  labor  as  a  missionary  among  these  people ;  that 
these  missionaries  m^j  preach  to  them,  organize  Sabbath-schools,  and 
enlist  as  they  may  be  able  local  white  Christians  in  the  work,  and  ad- 
vise and  aid  the  colored  people  in  the  effort  to  organize  themselves  into 
a  Presbyterian  ckurch ;  and  that  the  ministers  who  may  be  thus  em- 
ployed by  the  committee  shall  report  their  work  to  and  receive  their 
pay  from  the  committee ;  but  anj^  minister  so  employed  shall,  in  aU 
other  respects  aud  concerning  all  their  ministerial  acts  and  character, 
be  under  the  authority  of,  and  I'esponsible  only  tt),  their  respective  Pres- 
byteries; and  they  shall  be  subject  to  the  further  restriction  that  they 

^shall  not  labor  in  the  territorial  bounds  of  any  Presbytery  objecting. 

318.    Collection  for  this  ioork. 

For  annual  collection  ordered  for  the  evangelization  of  the  colored 
race,  see  Tuskaloosa  Institute. 

319.  Progress  of  the  work. 

187G,  p.  2-49.  Somethiug  is  beiug  done  for  this  branch  of  labor  by  thirteen  Pres- 
byteries.    Five  Presbyteries  have  been  aided  in  carrying  on  this  work. 

1877,  p.  4()0.  Eighteen  Presbyteries  report  that  something  is  being  done  in  their 
bounds  for  tlie  work  among  the  colored  people.  From  the  reiiorts  it  also  appears 
that  there  are  twenty-one  churches  for  the  colored  people,  five  colored  ministers, 
three  colored  licentiates,  and  six  colored  candidates  for  the  ministry,  under  the  care 
of  the  fifty-four  reporting  Presbyteries.  This  shows  an  increase  of  seven  churches, 
of  two  ministers,  and  of  five  candidates  over  last  year.  The  number  of  licentiates 
is  the  same.  It  is  probable  that  the  increase  in  candidates  is  due,  at  least  in  some 
degi-ee,  to  the  stimulating  cflFect  of  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly  in  es- 
tablishing the  training  schocjl  for  colored  ministers  at  Tuskaloosa,  Alabama. 

1878,  p.  G74.  Payments  to  the  Presbyteries  have  been  made  to  the  amount  of 
$1,050,  which  is  !f!l75  more  than  last  year. 

1879,  1).  69.  Ten  Presbyteries  have  been  aided  during  the  jmst  year,  to  the 
amount  of  if;  1,007.50,  in  the  support  of  thirteen  laborers,  in  whole  or  in  part  en- 


Sec.  320.  ]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitkch.  167 

gaged  in  this  service.     Of  those  aided,  six  are  ministers  of  our  Cliurch,  and  seven 
colored  men  approved  by  the  Presbyteries. 

1880,  p.  232.  The  same  nmnber  of  Presbyteries  received  aid  as  last  year,  but 
for  three  less  laborers.  None  of  the  Presbyteries  seem  miach  encouraged  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  l)ranch  of  work,  nor  have  they  generally  taken  action  on  the 
subject.  In  a  few  Presbyteries  all  our  mini.sters  occasionally  preach  to  the  colored 
people,  and  some  statedly.  Thirty-six  Sabbath-schools  are  reported  as  known  to 
the  Presbyterial  committees.  Doubtless  there  are  others  of  which  they  have  no 
knowledge.  As  far  as  reported,  there  are  fourteen  colored  ministers  and  licentiates, 
eighteen  churches,  and  four  candidates  under  the  care  of  the  Presbyteries.  Some 
of  the  churches  which  were  reported  two  or  three  years  ago  have  gone  into  the 
Northern  Church,  but  they  still  receive  the  symjjathy  and  assistance  of  our  minis- 
ters and  people.  In  some  portions  of  the  Church  there  seems  to  be  little  demand 
for  special  effort  on  the  part  of  our  Church  in  this  field,  other  denominations  fully 
occupying  the  ground  and  having  the  ear  of  the  i)eople. 

1881,  p.  -407.  The  total  apiiroi^riation  to  this  work  this  year  has  been  5^1,386. 
The  Presb^'teries  have  twenty -live  churches  lender  their  care,  seven  more  than  last 
year,  with  sixteen  ministers  and  licentiates.  There  were  aided  eleven  ministers,  of 
whom  nine  are  colored,  within  the  boiinds  of  ten  different  Presbyteries.  The  sum 
of  !j!  1.320  is  reported  as  raised  and  expended  within  the  Presbyteries  themselves. 
The  Assembly  expressed  its  judgment  (page  377)  that  at  least  ^^lOjOOO  shoTild  be 
raised  this  year  for  evangelistic  work  among  the  freedmeu  within  our  bounds. 

The  number  aided  in  1882  was  twelve. 

1883,  p.  72.  Seven  Presbyteries  report  over  ii'2,000  as  contributed  by  them  for 
this  branch  of  work  within  their  bounds  during  the  i^ast  year.  Amount  paid  out 
by  the  connnittee,  61, 448.  Statistics  show  twelve  ministers  and  licentiates,  twenty- 
eight  churches,  twelve  candidates,  and  twenty-three  Sabbath-schools. 

1884,  pp.  2G6,  268.  Contributions  received  from  two  churches  onlv.  Amount 
charged  to  Sustentation,  6 1,737.  In  1885  it  was  ifl,308,  while  $1,837'  was  known 
to  have  been  contributed  that  did  not  pass  through  the  committee's  hands. 

1886,  p.  70.     Number  aided  sixteen.     Amount  charged  to  Sustentation,  $850. 

320.  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

1863,  p.  128.  An  overture  from  the  Presb^-ten'  of  Mississippi  was 
received,  uroiug  the  Assembly  to  provide  a  fund  for  the  relief  of  super- 
aminated  and  disabled  ministers  and  their  families:  which  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtui'es.     (P.  129.) 

1863,  pp.  123,  129.     Also  the  foUowing  from  Rev.  C.  W.  Lane: 

"The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  is 
respectfully  overtured  to  adopt  the  following  or  some  similar  plan  of  pro\iding  for 
the  support  of  disabled  and  sujjerannuated  ministers,  and  the  widows  and  families 
of  deceased  ministers: 

' '  ^\■hereas  it  has  been  recognized  as  the  duty  of  the  Presbyterian  Chnrch  in  the 
Confederate  States  to  make  provision  fur  the  support  of  her  disabled  and  sujjeran- 
nuated  ministers,  and  for  the  .support  of  the  widows  and  families  of  deceased  min- 
isters when  left  in  straightened  circumstances;  therefore 

"  licsohrd,  1,  That  it  is  hereby  enjoinecl  upon  all  our  Synods  and  Presbyteries  to 
take  such  acti(m  as  will  secure  in  each  of  our  churches  an  annual  contribution  to  a 
fund  for  the  sup^xirt  of  disaljled  and  superannuated  ministers  and  the  widows  and 
families  of  deceased  ministers. 

"2.  That  a  separate  column  be  added  to  the  statistical  rei)orts  of  the  churches  for 
these  contributions. 

' '  3.  That  to  the  list  of  standing  c-ommittees  usually  appointed  by  the  moderator 
of  the  General  Assend)ly,  shall  be  added  a  Staiuliug  Committee  on  the  Disabled 
Ministers'  Fund,  to  whom  the  report  hereinafter  mentioned,  and' the  whole  subject- 
matter  to  which  it  relates,  shall  be  referi'ed. 

"4.  That  we  invite  special  donations  and  legacies  iu  order  to  form  a  permanent 
fund,  the  income  of  which,  together  with  the  annual  contributions  of  the  churches 
on  this  behalf,  shall  be  applied  for  the  object  above  indicated. 

"5.  That  the  funds  thus  obtained  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  General  Assembly — permanent  funds  to  be  invested  by  said  Trustees  in 


168  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genek.ul,  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

such  form  as  to  tliem  shall  appear  most  judicious — the  income  of  said  permanent 
fund  and  the  annual  contributions  of  the  churches  to  this  object  to  be  disbursed  by 
said  trustees,  or  a  committee  of  trustees,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Board  itself,  for 
the  support  of  disabled  and  superannuated  ministers  and  the  widows  and  families 
of  deceased  ministers,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  the 
party  or  parties  for  whom  relief  is  desired  most  naturally  belong — or  upon  the  re- 
commendation of  the  moderator  and  stated  clerk  of  said  Presbytery. 

' '  G.  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  report  their  action  in  the  premises  to  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  at  its  annual  sessions. 

"  7.  That  in  order  to  give  due  prominence  to  this  object  in  the  prayers  and  sym- 
pathies and  contributions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  in 
the  outset  of  her  career,  each  and  every  pastor  and  stated  supply  in  our  connection 
be  requested  to  preach  upon  the  subject  before  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

"8.  That  when  a  form  of  devise  or  bequest  is  prepared  and  juiblished  with  the 
Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  or  in  any  other  publication,  for  the  other  benevolent  ob- 
jects of  the  Church,  there  shall  also  be  prej^ared  arid  published  a  form  of  devise  and 
bequest  to  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund;  also,  that  in  the  form  for  a  charter  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  immediately  after  the  mention  of  the 
other  benevolent  operations  of  the  Church,  shall  be  inserted  the  words,  'and  of 
providing  for  the  support  of  disabled  and  superannuated  ministers  and  the  widows 
and  families  of  deceased  ministers,'  or  equivalent  words." 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtm-es  report  that  they  have  had  be- 
fore them  the  two  overtures  above  recited.  One  of  the  overtures  is 
from  a  member  of  this  Assembly,  and  embraces  the  outline  of  a  plan  of 
operation  which  shows  that  its  author  has  bestowed  no  little  thought 
upon  the  subject.  There  are,  however,  certain  questions  preliminary 
to  the  adoption  of  any  scheme  in  regard  to  which  the  committee  was 
not  apprised  that  the  mind  of  the  Assembly  has  been  expressed,  or 
even  formed.  One  of  these  is,  whether  the  support  for  the  classes 
named  shall  be  derived  from  the  proceeds  of  a  fund  raised  and  invested 
for  that  jDiirpose,  or  from  annual  contributions  made  by  our  churches, 
and  expended  as  they  are  received.  Another  question  is  whether  it  is 
advisable  that  the  Assembly  should  assume  the  responsibility  of  making 
the  much-needed  provision,  or  should  remit  the  matter  to  our  Synods, 
severally,  to  attend  to  the  duty  within  their  own  bounds.  As  youi-  com- 
mittee have  no  instructions  to  guide  them  in  relation  to  these  and  sim- 
ilar questions,  they  are  not  prepared  to  recommend  any  definite  plan  of 
operation  to  be  adopted  by  the  present  Assembly. 

The  subject,  however,  is  one  of  great  importance.  The  reception  of 
two  overtures,  from  different  sources,  shows  also  that  the  minds  of  our 
i:)eople  are  turned  to  it  with  special  interest.  The  committee,  therefore, 
recommend  that  a  committee  be  now  ap2:)ointed  to  consider  the  whole 
subject,  in  all  its  bearings,  including  the  questions  already  mentioned, 
"with  such  as  may  be  suggested  in  their  inquiries  and  conferences,  and 
to  report  to  the  next  Assembly  a  scheme  for  carr^-iug  into  effect  the 
plan  which  shall  commend  itself  most  strongly  to  their  judgments. 
The  committee  further  recommend  that  this  committee  consist  of  the 
Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  the  Rev.  David  Wills,  Hon.  E.  A.  Nisbet,  Washington 
Poe,  and  Wm.  L.  Mitchell,  Esqs.,  all  of  the  S^oiod  of  Georgia. 

1864,  p.  279.  This  committee  reported  the  following  resolutions  and 
recommended  their  adoption : 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  form  of  a  call  to  a  pastor  prescribed  in  the 
Form  of  Government  be  enlarged  and  amended  so  as  to  read:  "And 
that  you  may  be  free  from  worldly  cares  and  avocations,  we  hereby 

promise  and  oblige  ourselves  to  pay  to  you  the  sum  of in  regular 

quarterly  (half-yearly  or  yearly)  payments,  during  the  time  of  yom*  be- 


Sec.  321.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  169 

ing  and  contimiing-  the  regular  pastor  of  this  church ;  and  should  you 
become  disabled,  or  depart  this  Ufe,  whilst  you  are  the  regular  pastor 
of  this  church,  -vve  hereby  promise  and  obhge  ourselves  to  furnish  you, 
or,  when  you  are  dead,  your  family,  with  all  proper  sujiport,  including 
the  education  of  yoiu'  children."  And  that  the  last  question  proposed 
to  the  people  at  the  instalment  of  the  pastor  be  enlarged  and  amended 
so  as  to  read  :  "  And  do  j'ou  engage  to  continue  to  him,  while  he  is  yovu* 
pastor,  that  competent  worldly  maintenance  which  you  have  promised, 
and  whatever  else  you  may  see  needful  for  the  honor  of  religion,  and 
his  comfort  among  you ;  and  should  he  become  disabled,  or  depart  this 
life,  while  he  is  youi*  pastor,  do  you  engage  to  furnish  him,  or,  when  he  is 
dead,  his  family,  with  all  proper  suj^port,  including  the  education  of  his 
childi'en  ? " 

Ilesolved,  2,  That  the  General  Assembly  raise  a  permanent  fund,  by 
inviting  the  ct)ntributions  of  individuals  and  churches,  by  donation,  be- 
quest, and  devise,  and  place  the  same  in  the  hands  of  its  trustees  or 
other  committee  for  investment,  the  income  of  which  shall  be  applied 
to  the  support  of  disabled  evangehsts  and  missionaries,  their  widows 
and  children,  in  such  amount  and  in  such  manner  as  may  be  consid- 
ered practicable  and  expedient ;  and  when  it  shall  be  made  to  appear 
upon  the  rei^resentation  of  the  session  of  a  chiu'ch  that  the  supj^ort 
which  they  had  promised  to  furnish  t(j  theii'  disabled  pastor,  or,  when 
he  is  dead,  to  his  family,  as  contemplated  in  the  foregoing  resolution, 
cannot  be  fiu'nished  by  reason  of  the  inability  of  said  church,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  said  trustees  or  other  committee  to  inquire  into  the 
matter,  and  apply  to  the  relief  of  such  pastor,  or  his  family,  when  he  is 
dead,  such  amount  of  the  income  of  said  permanent  fund,  and  in  such 
way,  as  may  be  deemed  practicable  and  expedient. 

Resolved,  3,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees,  or  other  com- 
mittee of  the  Assembly,  to  invest  any  surplus  income  from  year  to  year, 
to  make  annual  reports  to  the  Assembly,  and  to  prepare  and  keep  be- 
fore the  public  proper  forms  of  gifts,  bequests,  and  devises. 

JResolved,  4,  That  these  resolutions  be  transmitted  to  the  several 
Presbyteries  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of 
America  for  approval,  and  to  take  effect  when  declared  by  the  General 
Assembly  to  be  approved  by  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries. 

P.  288.  This  report  was  recommitted  to  the  same  ct)mmittee,  with 
instructions  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  committee  ever  made  auy  further  report. — A. 

321.  A  teynporary  fund  for  the  disabled. 

1867,  p.  1-48.  An  overture  from  Eev.  J.  T.  Pollock,  asking  aid  from 
the  Assembly  for  the  family  of  a  minister  of  this  Church  recently  de- 
ceased. 

Reply :  Inasmuch  as  this  Assembly  has  control  of  no  funds  for  the 
pui*i30se  proposed,  and  this  re(]uest  cannot  at  once  be  granted,  yet  the 
Assembly  appreciates  the  importance,  not  only  of  this  sj^ecial  case,  but 
of  all  such  as  it  represents : 

Jiesolved,  1,  That  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  be  authorized  to 
appropriate  five  per  cent,  of  all  contributions  to  its  object  to  the  relief 
of  destitute  widows  and  children  of  ministers,  and  to  indigent  ministere 
in  infirm  health  ;  provided  no  such  per  cent,  be  appropi-iated  from  the 
contributions  of  any  church  or  person  prohibiting  such  appropriation 


170  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

and  provided  further,  that  this  plan  of  operation  shall  not  continue 
longer  than  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  for  the  year  1869. 

322.  A  2ycrmanent  fund  undertaken. 

1868,  p.  274.  5.  In  lieu  of  the  appro2)riation  of  five  per  cent,  of  the 
Sustentation  fund,  it  is  enjoined  upon  the  Presbyteries  to  have  a  collec- 
tion taken  up  in  all  the  churches  under  their  care  for  a  rehef  fund, 
which  shall  be  devoted  to  the  relief  of  disabled  ministers,  and  of 
widows  and  orjohans  of  ministers  deceased.  These  collections  are  to 
be  forwarded  to  the  treasurer  of  Sustentation,  and  disbursed  accord- 
ing to  the  discretion  of  the  committee,  upon  application  made  through 
the  Presbyterial  Standing  Committees  on  Domestic  Missions. 

P.  280.  It  was  recommended  that  this  collection  be  taken  up  on  the 
first  Sabbath  in  July,  or  as  near  thereto  as  may  be  convenient.  (1869, 
p.  396.) 

323.   Tlie  Relief  scheme. 

1869,  p.  373.  Eev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  obtained  leave  to 
present,  on  his  own  behalf,  a  memorial  in  regard  to  a  plan  of  rehef  for 
families  of  deceased  ministers,  which  memorial  was  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee, to  consist  of  one  minister  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  Synod. 
Names  of  the  committee  on  p.  374. 

P.  396.  After  a  discussion  on  the  report  of  this  committee,  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted : 

Mesolvt'd,  That  the  whole  siibject  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of 
Sustentation  for  further  investigation,  and  with  a  view  to  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  plan.  This  committee  shall  repoi't  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly the  result  of  their  labors. 

1870,  p.  500.  This  committee  submitted  a  report,  which  was  re- 
ferred to  a  special  committee  of  one  commissioner  from  each  Synod. 

P.  523.  This  committee  reported,  and  so  much  as  related  to  the 
protest  from  the  Presbytery  of  Montgomery  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows : 

The  Committee  on  Eelief  Fund,  to  whom  was  referred  the  "  Protest 
on  a  Plan  for  Eelief  Fmid,"  from  Montgomery  Presbyter}^,  would  re- 
port for  answer  to  the  same  as  follows,  to- wit : 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  declare,  that 
it  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  Assembly  to  inaugurate  an}^  sj^stem  of  life 
insurance ;  and  that  the  scheme  of  co  operative  relief  suggested  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Montgomery  is  impracticable,  on  account  of  the  difficulty 
of  collecting  the  sum  of  one  dollar  from  each  minister  and  elder ;  and 
unequal,  because  the  burden  would  fall  as  heavily  upon  the  smaller  and 
weaker  churches  as  those  of  larger  nvimbers  and  greater  resources. 

P.  524.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Eelief  Fund,  after  some 
amendments,  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  ayes,  67 ;  noes,  27.  This  report 
is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  on  the  Eelief  Fund,  to  whom  was  referred  the  "  Ee- 
port  (jf  the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation  on  the  Eelief  Fund 
for  the  Widows  and  Orphans  of  Ministers  at  their  Decease,"  would  re- 
port as  follows,  to-wit : 

1st,  That  it  is  eminently  desirable  that  a  fund  should  be  provided 
for  the  f amihes  of  ministers  at  their  decease ;  and  that  the  best  and 


Sec.  323.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  171 

most  effectual  mode  of  raising  that  fund  is  by  annual  contributions  from 
the  churches. 

2nd,  The  j)roposed  scheme  is  not  to  interfere  in  any  way  w-ith  the  an- 
nual collection  that  has  ah'eady  been  ordered  for  the  relief  of  disabled 
ministers  and  the  families  of  ministers  deceased,  it  being  eAddent  that 
this  fund  will  always  be  needed,  not  only  for  infirm  ministers,  but  for 
the  families  of  svich  ministers  as  may  not  be  included  in  the  provisions 
of  the  scheme  under  consideration ;  and  it  being  equally  evident  to  the 
committee  that  it  would  be  disastrous  to  both  to  merge  them  into  one 
fund. 

3rd,  It  is  not  proposed,  nor  is  it  thought  desirable,  to  accvimulate  a 
large  fund  under  the  care  of  the  Assembly  for  the  purpose  under  con- 
sideration :  but  the  demands  or  liabilities  are  to  be  met  mainly  by  the 
annual  contributions  from  the  churches.  The  accruing  or  siu'plus  fund 
should  be  held  to  meet  any  emergency  that  might  arise  from  irregu- 
larity in  the  mortality  of  ministers,  or  any  general  disasters  that  might 
visit  the  country  and  prevent  the  churches  for  a  time  from  making  their 
regular  annual  payments.  This  fund  should  not  be  allowed  to  exceed 
$100,000  as  an  investment.  Any  increase  beyond  this  sum  might,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Assembly,  be  used  to  augment  the  amounts  paid  to 
the  famihes  of  ministers. 

4th,  The  security  for  the  payment  of  the  proposed  amounts  is  to  be 
based  entirely  upon  the  mutual  faith  and  conlidence  of  the  chiu'ches  in 
each  other.  Neither  the  Assembly,  nor  the  committee  that  they  may 
appoint  to  carry  the  plan  into  etiect,  can  be  considered  as  hgaUi/  hound 
to  pay  the  stipulated  sums,  except  so  far  as  the  churches,  in  fulfilment 
of  their  pledges,  shall  furnish  the  means  for  paying  them.  This  mutual 
faith  between  the  churches,  however,  is  undoubtedly  the  best  of  all  se- 
curities. The  foreign  missionary  goes  to  the  remotest  ends  of  the  earth 
relying  upon  it  for  the  means  of  liis  support ;  and  as  it  has  seldom  or 
never  failed  him,  why  should  we  distrust  the  steadiness  and  the  fidelity 
of  the  churches  in  relation  to  a  matter  that  must  lie  quite  as  near  to 
their  hearts? 

5th,  The  annual  contributions  which  the  churches  are  expected  to 
make  to  the  fund  are  to  be  regarded  as  an  addition  to  the  salaries  of 
their  jjastors.  The  only  difference  in  the  case  is,  that  this  portion  of 
the  salary  is  given  vmder  the  condition  that  it  be  reserved  for  the  ben- 
efit of  his  family.  The  Free  Church  of  Scotland  carries  out  the  same 
principle  by  deducting  so  much  from  the  minister's  salary  when  it  is 
jiaid.  The  plan  under  consideration  projioses  to  lay  an  additional  tax 
upon  the  churches  for  the  same  purpose. 

6th,  The  scheme  under  consideration,  unlilce  life  assurance,  makes  no 
discrimination  on  account  of  the  age,  the  health,  ox  the  number  of  years 
that  a  minister  may  have  been  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel.  All 
ministers  are  regarded  as  officers  of  the  Chm'ch  and  servants  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ :  and  their  families,  in  consequence,  as  equally  en- 
titled to  the  beneficent  })rovisions  of  the  genertd  arrangement.  The 
only  limitation  or  discrimination,  as  will  appear  in  the  further  develop- 
ment of  the  plan,  will  be  in  relation  to  the  number  of  annual  payments 
that  nnist  be  made  by  a  church  before  its  minister's  family  can  be  en- 
titled to  the  full  amount. 

Having  premised  these  general  piinciples,  the  committee  would  now 
propose — 


172  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  rv. 

1st,  That  every  conoTegation,  or  union  of  congregations  under  the 
same  pastorate,  that  will  pay  $30  annually  to  the  general  fund,  will  es- 
tablish a  claim  for  the  family  of  its  pastor,  or  any  other  minister  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  the  Church  whom  the  congregation  may  select, 
at  his  death,  to  an  annuity  of  $200  for  six  consecutive  years.  And 
"where  a  congregation,  or  union  of  congregations,  pays  $60  per  annum 
to  the  fund,  the  claim  for  his  family  will  be  an  annuity  of  $200  for 
twelve  consecutive  years,  or  of  $400  for  six  consecutive  years.  The 
only  limitation  to  the  above  conditions  is,  that  no  congregation  will  es- 
tablish a  claim  for  the  family  of  its  pastor  to  the  full  amounts  above 
mentioned  imtil  it  has  made  its  fourth  annual  payment.  Previous  to 
that  period,  the  family  will  be  entitled  to  four  times  as  much  as  the 
congregation  has  paid  to  the  public  f imd.  For  example :  If  the  con- 
gregation has  made  one  payment  of  $30,  the  family  will  receive  $120 ; 
if  $60  has  been  paid,  the  amount  awarded  will  be  $240.  As  soon  as 
the  fourth  annual  payment  has  been  made,  the  famil}'  will  be  entitled 
to  the  full  amount,  to  be  paid  as  an  annuity. 

2nd,  If  a  minister  is  transferred  from  one  church  to  another,  he  for- 
feits the  claim  established  b}^  the  church  he  leaves,  but  he  may  be 
placed  upon  the  one  to  which  he  goes.  If  a  minister  is  entirely  cut  off 
from  the  work  of  the  ministry  by  a  failure  of  health,  his  family  after 
his  death  will  be  entitled  to  the  claim  established  by  the  church  where 
he  was  laboring  when  his  health  failed,  and  that  church  will  be  re- 
garded as  commencing  another  claim,  but  without  the  conditions  affixed 
above.  In  cities,  where  the  expense  of  living  is  necessarily  great,  a 
church  may  be  allowed  to  establish  a  claim  for  its  pastor's  family  to  an 
annuity  of  $600  for  six  consecutive  years  by  j^ajdng  annually  $100,  sub- 
ject, however,  to  the  same  limitations  as  to  the  lirst  four  years  as  in 
other  cases.  A  pastor,  however,  or  any  minister  of  the  gospel  other- 
wise engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Church,  may,  by  paying  the  above 
mentioned  sums  for  himself,  estabhsh  a  claim  for  his  family  to  the  same 
amounts  as  other  ministers. 

3rd,  The  execution  of  this  scheme  shall  be  committed  to  the  care  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation.  The  executive  committee 
shall  be  dii'ectly  responsible  to  the  General  Assembly  for  its  proper  ad- 
ministration. The  Assembly  shall  have  the  right  to  frame  any  by-law, 
or  make  any  changes  or  alterations  in  the  plan  that  may  be  deemed 
necessar}^ ;  provided  no  pecuniary  obligations  to  the  donors  of  this  fund 
are  thereby  violated. 

4th,  The  plan  may  be  carried  into  execution  as  soon  as  one  hiuidred 
churches,  or  union  of  churches,  shall  have  adopted  it ;  and  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Sustentation  is  hereby  directed  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  churches  to  the  subject,  and  invite  them  to  enter  into  the  pro- 
posed arrangement. 

1871,  p.  19.  The  Assembly  having  apj)ointed  a  special  committee 
(page  8)  to  consider  so  much  of  the  executive  committee's  report  as 
bears  on  the  Eelief  fund,  that  committee  reported  as  follows,  and  their 
report  was  adopted : 

The  Committee  on  the  Relief  fund  respectfully  report,  that  they 
have  carefully  examined  the  subject  committed  to  their  hands,  and  find 
that  it  was  the  object  of  patient  and  thorough  investigation  by  an  able 
committee  of  one  member  from  each  Synod,  in  the  Assembly  of  1870, 
and  that  their  action,  which  heartily  commended  the  plan  of  this  fund, 
received  the  cordial  approbation  of  that  body. 


Secs.  324, 226.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  173 

We  are  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  the  plan  is  the  best  that  can  at 
present  be  devised,  and  in  this  we  are  sustained  by  the  judgment  of 
some  of  tlie  ablest  actuaries  of  this  countr}^ 

We  therefore  recommend  that  the  seci*etary  of  the  Committee  of  Sus- 
tentation  be  hereby  authorized  to  place  in  the  hands  of  ever}^  session  a 
copy  of  the  report  adopted  bj^  the  Assembly  of  1870,  together  with  this 
report,  and  any  other  matter  which  in  his  judgment  may  commend  this 
object  to  our  people ;  and  that  it  be  made  the  duty  of  the  sessions  to  lay 
it  before  their  respective  congregations. 

We  farther  recommend  that  this  Assembly  do  hereby  heartily  en- 
dorse the  plan  as  meeting  an  existing  want  in  the  Church.  We  recom- 
mend, finally,  that  the  Assembly  take  steps  to  have  the  charter  amended 
so  as  to  authorize  the  investment  of  the  funds  of  this  Helief  fund,  and 
the  funds  of  any  other  eleemosynary  object  of  the  Church,  to  be  vested 
in  the  trustees  of  the  Assembly. 

The  rejDort  of  the  executive  committee  alluded  to  above  (1871,  p.  51) 
is  very  elaborate ;  from  it  we  make  this  extract : 

The  committee  regret  to  have  to  report  that  the  scheme  authorized  by  the  last 
Assembly  for  the  relief  of  ministers'  families  at  their  decease  has  not  met  with  all 
the  favor  on  the  part  of  the  great  body  of  the  chnrches  that  was  exi)ected,  or  its 
gi-eat  importance  deserves.  As  yet,  only  about  two-thirds  of  the  number  requisite 
to  piit  the  plan  in  operation  have  signified  their  intention  to  enter  into  the  arrange- 
ment. Among  these,  however,  are  a  large  number  of  our  wealthiest  and  most  in- 
telligent congregations,  as  well  as  many  of  our  leading  and  prominent  ministers, 
who  have  not  only  examined  the  scheme  with  the  utmost  care,  but  are  thoroughly 
convinced  that  it  is  alike  practicable  and  suited  to  the  wants  and  circumstances  of 
the  Church.  The  tardiness  or  reluctance  of  the  great  body  of  the  churches  to  enter 
into  the  arrangement  proceeds  from  a  variety  of  causes. 

324.    The  relief  scheme  in  operation. 

1872,  p.  192.  The  committee  are  gratified  to  be  able  to  report  that 
the  number  of  churches  and  individual  ministers  necessary,  accoi'ding 
to  the  direction  of  the  last  Assembly,  to  jiut  the  Relief  scheme  into 
full  ojieration  has  been  secured,  and  information  of  the  fact  has  been 
publislied,  so  that  all  such  churches  and  individuals  might  send  on 
their  first  annual  installment.  The  plan  will  be  considered  as  com- 
mencing with  Januar}',  1872.  There  has  been  some  hesitation  on  the 
part  of  the  churches  to  enter  into  the  plan ;  but  this  has  been  owing, 
it  is  confidently  believed,  to  the  fact  that  the  scheme  has  not  generally 
been  imderstood  by  the  churches.  When  it  has  once  been  put  into 
operation,  and  its  practical  benefits  have  been  seen,  it  will  no  doubt 
become  a  popular  and  favorite  scheme  both  with  ministers  and 
churches. 

325.  None  to  be  enrolled  over  fifty  years  of  age. 

1873,  p.  327.  Touching  the  Relief  fund,  we  recommend  that  the 
Assembly  commit  the  whole  administration  of  this  matter  to  the  wis- 
dom and  discretion  of  the  executive  committee ;  and  that,  in  accordance 
with  their  request,  a  provision  be  added  to  the  scheme  of  the  Relief 
fund,  which  shall  prescribe  that,  after  Janutuy,  1,  1874,  the  name  of 
no  one  over  fifty  years  of  age  shall  be  entered  upon  this  fund. 

(The  reasons  that  induced  the  committee  to  recommend  this  course 
are  found  on  p.  353,  1873. — A.) 


174  DiaEST  OF  THE  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

326.  Applicants  must  he  in  good  health. 

1874,  p.  488.  The  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation  is  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  prescribe  an  additional  condition  on  which 
ministers  may  become  subscribers  to  the  ReUef  fund,  viz. :  "  Whenever 
any  minister,  for  himself,  or  any  church  or  other  party  for  him,  pro- 
poses to  subscribe  to  this  fund,  there  must  be  furnished  to  the  com- 
mittee satisfactory  evidence  that  such  a  minister  enjoys  ordinary  good 
health." 

327.  Deferred  payments  to  the  Relief  fund. 

1875,  p.  54.  Several  contributors  to  this  fund  have  failed  to  pay 
theu'  quota  for  two  years.  With  reference  to  such  cases  the  executive 
committee  have  adopted  the  rule  that  "  deferred  payments  mv^st  be  ac- 
companied by  interest  at  the  rate  of  10  per  cent,  per  annum  ;  and  if 
pajnnent  is  deferred  longer  than  one  year,  the  name  of  the  party  shall 
be  considered  removed  from  the  Eehef  lists,  and  shall  not  be  restored 
thereto  until  such  party  has  paid  up  arrearages  in  full,  with  iuterest 
thereon."     This  rule  is  deemed  necessary  to  the  security  of  the  scheme. 

328.    'When  annuities  areto  he  paid. 

1875,  p.  54.  The  rule  adopted  in  reference  to  payment  from  the 
fund  is  as  follows :  "The  annuities  due  to  families  of  ministers  de- 
ceased are  to  be  paid  beginning  with  the  first  of  January  next  succeed- 
ing the  death  of  said  minister.'  This  rule  was  adopted  as  a  precau- 
tionary measure,  because  the  income  of  the  Eelief  fund  is  received 
mostly  on  or  about  January  first  of  each  year.  The  executive  commit- 
tee have,  however,  always  ^hus  far  directed  the  payment  of  benefits  im- 
mediately on  the  receipt  of  authentic  information  of  the  decease  of  the 
contributor. 

329.    The  Redef  plan  modified. 

1876,  p.  228.  That  the  General  Asseijibl}^  approve  the  new  plan 
of  rehef  as  the  same  is  set  forth  in  the  Report  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee of  Sustentation  of  the  present  year,  giving,  however,  to  the  said 
committee  full  aiithority  to  change  the  details  of  said  plan  whenever 
they  shall  deem  it  proper  to  do  so. 

The  following  is  the  plan : 

I.  The  rights  and  privileges  in  the  Eelief  fund,  as  heretofore  ad- 
ministered, shall  be,  and  are  hereby,  guaranteed  to  all  who  are  on  its 
lists,  and  these  shaU  be  preserved  to  them  intact. 

II.  The  Eelief  scheme,  as  heretofore  administered,  shall  be,  and  is 
hei'eby,  repealed  (except  for  those  who  are  already  beneficiaries  under 
it),  and  the  following  scheme  substituted  therefor,  to-wit : 

(1,)  Any  congregation,  or  miion  of  congregations,  whose  pastor  at 
rhe  time  may  be  in  sound  health,  which  shall  pay  $:^0  annually  to  the 
Eelief  fund,  will  establish  a  claim  at  his  death  to  an  annuity  of  $200 
for  six  consecutive  years.  If  $60  per  annum  is  paid  to  the  fund,  the 
claim  for  annuity  will  be  for  $400  for  a  like  term  of  years.  If  $100 
per  annum  is  paid,  the  annuity  will  be  $600  for  a  similar  term.  It  is 
understood  that  the  benefit  thus  secured  shall  accrue  only  to  the  fam- 
ily or  other  heirs  of  the  regularly  installed  pastor  of  the  contributing 
church. 


Sec.  329.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chxjkch.  175 

(2,)  Any  minister,  in  sound  health,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years  may 
be  entered  on  the  fund  by  the  payment  of  $30,  S60,  or  $100,  as  the 
case  may  be,  by  himself,  his  congregations,  or  other  person.  Any 
minister  who  is  less  than  forty-five  }ears  of  age  may  enter  the  fund  by 
the  pajTnent  of  an  annual  amount  less  than  $30,  $G0,  $100  by  2  per 
cent,  of  said  sums  for  each  year  that  he  is  younger  than  forty-tive 
years ;  and  any  minister  older  than  forty-five  years,  up  to  seventy  years, 
may  have  the  same  privilege  by  the  annual  payment  of  an  amount 
larger  than  $30,  $60,  or  $100  by  the  addition  to  said  amount  of  eight 
per  cent,  per  annum  for  every  year  of  said  excess  of  age. 

The  only  hmitation  in  the  case,  either  of  churches  or  individuals,  be- 
yond the  above  conditions,  is  that  no  claim  on  the  fimd  will  be  estab- 
Mshed  to  the  full  amcjunts  above  mentioned  until  the  fourth  annual 
payment  has  been  made.  Previous  to  that  period  the  family  or  heirs 
will  be  entitled  to  four  times  as  much  as  has  been  jDaid  into  the  pubUc 
fund.  And  further,  failure  to  make  regular  and  annual  payments  shall 
■work  the  forfeiture  of  interest  in  the  fund,  except  at  the  death  of  any 
pastor  or  other  minister,  whose  claim  is  thus  forfeited,  an  amomit  equal 
to  all  that  has  been  contributed  to  the  fund  on  his  account  shall  be 
paid. 

III.  It  is  further  provided  that,  as  heretofore,  the  Eehef  scheme 
shall  continue  to  work  for  the  sole  benefit  of  those  who  are  subscribers 
to  it,  and  if  hereafter  it  shall  be  found  able  to  pay  a  larger  amount  to 
the  families  of  its  deceased  subscribers  than  is  herein  pledged,  svich  an 
amount  shall  be  sacredly  conveyed  to  them  under  regulations  approved 
by  the  General  Assembly. 

IV.  The  following  particulars  shall  be  obsei-^-ed : 

(1,)  All  entrants  to  this  scheme  shall  be  dated  as  of  January  1st  of 
the  current  year. 

(2,)  Annual  payments  must  be  made  prompt!}'  on  or  before  January 
1st  of  each  year,  so  that  the  habihties  of  the  fund  may  be  met  at  that 
time  and  investments  may  be  made.  Failure  to  make  paj'ment  beyond 
the  month  of  January  shall  forfeit  the  rights  in  the  fimd  of  the  party 
thus  faihng,  unless  for  good  reasons  and  without  injujy  to  the  fund, 
the  executive  committtee  shall  restore  its  privileges  on  the  payment  in 
fuU  of  arrearages,  with  interest  thereon  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per 
annvun. 

(3,)  The  annuities  due  the  families  of  deceased  ministers  are  to  be 
paid  beginning  with  the  first  of  January  next  succeeding  the  death  of 
Baid  minister. 

(4,)  All  fiu'ther  detail  in  the  management  of  this  fund  is  entrusted 
to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation. 

V.  The  investment  and  re-investmeut  of  funds  in  permanent  stocks 
shall  be  under  the  care  of  the  executive  committee,  who  shall  report 
annually  to  the  General  Assembly  their  accounts,  with  a  statement  of 
the  funds  in  hand,  whether  invested  or  not,  and  all  other  matters  per- 
taining to  the  fund.  The  permanent  investments  of  the  fund  shall  be 
held  as  heretofore  by  the  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  who  shall 
be  responsible  to  the  General  Assembly  for  theii*  safe  custody. 

Tliis  change  of  plan  was  designed  to  make  tlie  scheme  more  iiseful — tirst,  by 
presenting  greater  inducements  to  our  young  ministers  to  enter  it;  and  second,  by 
opening  the  way  for  those  who  are  now  in  advanced  years.     (187(5,  p.  2-19.) 


176  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

330.  Investing  committees  for  the  Relief  jund. 

1872,  p.  163.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  cominittee  be  authorized 
to  ai^poiat  two  investing  committees,  consisting-  each  of  two  laymen, 
with  the  secretaiy  of  the  executive  committee  as  ex-officio  member  of 
both,  to  be  located,  the  one  in  Baltimore,  and  the  other  in  AugTista, 
Georgia. 

1873,  p.  352.  In  accordance  with  the  authority  given  by  the  last  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  two  investing  committees  have  been  appointed,  the  one  in 
Augusta,  Georgia,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Wm.  E.  Jackson  and  J.  W. 
Bones,  and  the  other  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  consisting  of  Messrs.  G. 
F.  Anderson  and  J.  L.  Weeks,  through  the  kind  advice  and  assistance 
of  whom  our  fimds  have  been  invested,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  treasurer's 
report.  The  bonds  belonging  to  this  fund  have  been  deposited  with 
Jesse  H.  Lindsay,  Esq.,  treasiu'er  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

331.  ~Who  shall  make  and  control  investments. 

1879,  p.  56.  In  answer  to  the  question  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  as 
to  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  board  in  relation  to  the  investment 
of  the  Belief  fund,  the  Assembly  instruct  the  board  that  no  duty  or 
resj^onsibiHty  rests  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  as  to  making  or  changing 
these  investments,  but  that  the  duty  and  responsibility  rest  on  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Sustentation. 

1880,  p.  213.  The  Assembly  orders  that  all  securities  belonging  to 
the  Relief  fund  be  placed  in  custody  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Home  Missions,  with  instructions  to  deposit  them  in  some  safe  deposit 
company,  for  safe  keeping. 

P.  249.  The  Assembly  had  provided  thcat  the  permcauent  investments  of  this 
fnnd  shoiikl  be  held  by  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  who  shall  be  re- 
sponsible to  the  General  Assembly  for  their  safe  cnstodJ^  The  language  imparts 
an  absolute  liability  without  limitation  or  condition.  The  trustees  protested  against 
any  such  liability,  and  asked  the  Assembly  to  modify  or  change  the  words  of  this 
clause,  so  that  they  should  not  be  responsible,  except  with  the  usual  qualifications 
of  trustees.     It  was  because  of  this  protest  that  the  above  action  was  taken. — A. 

332.   The  Relief  fund  to  he  taken  from  under  ecclesiastical  control. 

1880,  p.  208.  The  Assembly  expresses  its  gratification  at  the  satis- 
factoiy  condition  of  the  EeHef  fund,  but  being  convinced  that  this  im- 
portant and  valued  interest  can  be  as  successfully  operated  without  ec- 
clesiastical supervision,  instructs  the  executive  committee  to  confer  with 
the  beneficiaries  of  the  fund,  and,  if  practicable,  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly  a  scheme  of  management  by  which  it  may  be  placed 
hereafter  on  an  independent  basis,  and  the  Assembly  discharged  from 
aU  responsibility. 

1881,  p.  382.  An  earnest  effort  has  been  made  by  the  executive 
committee  to  carry  out  the  wish  of  the  last  Assembly  to  transfer  this 
business  to  a  corporation  outside  of  the  Chui'ch,  in  which  ah.  the  in- 
terests of  the  beneficiaries  shall  l)e  fuUy  secured.  The  fulfihnent  of  this 
desire  of  the  Assembly  has  been  barred  by  the  refusal  of  some  of  the 
contributors  to  consent  to  any  arrangement  by  which  the  Assembly 
shah  be  discharged  from  the  obligations  of  its  own  contract. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  the  executive  committee  are  hereby  instructed  to 
retain  the  oversight  of  this  business  as  heretofore,  but  to  permit  no  new 


Sec.  332.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitkch.  177 

names  to  be  added  to  the  list  of  beneficiaries,  with  a  view  to  the  grad- 
ual extinction  of  the  Church's  responsibility ;  and  further,  that  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  re-open  negotiations  with  the  contributors  of  this 
fund,  and  lU'ge  upon  their  consideration  the  strong  desire  that  is  felt 
by  this  Assembly  to  have  this  business  brought  to  an  early  close  in  any 
fonn  satisfactoiy  to  the  parties  interested. 

In  explanation  of  the  i)lan  above  alluded  to,  the  follovsing  extract  from  the  execu- 
tive committee's  report  may  he  read  (p.  408) :  A  number  of  gentlemen  in  Balti- 
more, most  of  whom  are  members  of  the  executive  committee,  consented  to  form  a 
corjDoratiou,  to  hold,  manage,  and  disburse  the  fund,  as  trustees  for  the  subscribers, 
under  the  relief  scheme  as  adopted  and  modified  hj  the  Assembly ;  and  this  was  the 
plan  proposed,  and  to  which  some  of  the  contributors  objected. — A. 

1884,  p.  234.  A  proposition  to  transfer  the  management  of  this 
fund  to  a  coiiwration  in  Baltimore  was  brought  before  yovu'  committee 
in  two  forms :  (1,)  By  a  paper  adoj^ted  by  the  executive  committee  and 
recorded  in  its  minutes.  (2,)  By  a  petition  fi'om  C.  F.  McCay,  LL.  D., 
to  whose  wisdom  and  genei'ous  labors  is  largely  due  the  success  of  the 
Eehef  fimd  in  meeting  the  aims  of  its  foimders.  It  is  recommended 
that  this  matter  be  referred  to  the  executive  committee  for  further  con- 
sideration, with  direction  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

1885,  p.  423.  As  to  the  offer  of  the  coi^Doration  in  Baltimore  referred 
to  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Home  Missions,  it  is  recommended 
that  in  the  form  presented  it  be  dechned.  If,  however,  the  Committee 
of  Home  Missions  can  make  a  contract  with  that  coi-poration,  or  any 
other  of  equal  integrity,  under  satisfactoiy  security,  to  manage  the  Re- 
He  f  fund,  it  be  empowered  to  do  so  ;  provided,  (1,)  That  the  coi^ora- 
tion  shall  manage  the  fund  at  an  expense  no  greater  than  under  the 
present  management  (2,)  That  it  pay  to  the  famihes  of  the  benefici- 
anes  not  only  the  sums  promised,  but  the  profits  which  shall  accrue,  for 
their  benefit.  (3,)  That  it  deposit  with  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Home  Missions  all  the  bonds  and  stocks  now  accumulated  to  meet  the  ob- 
ligations to  the  present  beneficiaries  of  the  Belief  fimd,  and  aU  it  shaU 
hereafter  obtain  from  these  contributions,  as  secimty  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  its  obhgations.  (4,)  that  it  deposit  as  collateral  secimty 
with  the  executive  committee  such  additional  bonds  and  stocks  as  will 
satisfy  the  committee  that  it  will  perform  its  obhgations  beyond  doubt 
or  question.     Adopted. 

1886,  J).  32.  As  to  the  Eehef  fund,  the  executive  committee  has,  in 
comphance  with  the  Assembly's  instructions,  entered  into  a  contract 
with  "The  Clergy  Friendly  Society,"  of  Baltimore,  composed  of  gentle- 
men of  the  highest  standing  in  every  respect.  The  terms  upon  which 
this  contract  has  been  made  ax'e  recorded  in  fuU  in  the  secretaiys  re- 
port as  presented  during  the  present  sessions,  and  it  will  appear  that 
this  corporation  is  connected  with  our  executive  committee  only  by  spe- 
cial contract  to  manage  om*  Belief  fund.  The  Assembly  should  authorize 
and  direct  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  sign  this  contract,  because  the  con- 
tract is  drawn  in  the  name  of  the  trustees.  We  also  recommend  that 
the  Assembly  direct  the  trustees  to  give  a  regular  power  of  attorney  to 
some  reliable  paiiy  or  pai'ties  i-esiding  in  Baltimore,  who  shall  there 
represent  said  trustees  in  the  matter  of  this  fund.     Adopted. 

From  the  published  annual  report  of  the  executive  committee  it  appeai-s  that  this 
transfer  was  effected  October  31st,  1885,  and  that  the  corporators  of  the  "Clergy 
Friendly  Society "  are  Messrs.  C.  F.  SIcCay,  L.  C.  Inglis,  J.  Hnrmauus  Fisher,  W. 
12 


178  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

K.  Ca)-son,   W.   J.   Dickey,   aud  Christian  Devries,  and  that  the  memberB  of  the 
Home  Missions  Committee  were  elected  as  honorary  members  by  the  society. 

333.  Supervision  of  this  contract  transferred  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Foreign  Missions. 

1886,  p.  40.  In  consequence  of  the  removal  of  the  Home  Missions 
department  from  Baltimore,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions  and  Trustees  of 
the  General  Assembly  be  directed  and  empowered  to  do  whatever  may 
be  necessary  to  substitute  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions 
for  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions,  so  that  the  Executive 
Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  be  authorized  to  take  the  place  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  Missions  in  carrying  out  the  contract 
with  "The  Clergy's  Friendly  Society"  concerning  the  Eelief  fund. 

334.   T/ie  Stuart  Hohivson  legacy, 

1882,  p.  561.  The  late  Dr.  Stuart  Robinson  has  shown  the  jDrincely 
liberality  so  characteristic  of  his  noble  nature,  in  a  munificent  donation 
of  $25,000,  as  a  permanent  endowment  fund  for  this  cause,  of  which  of- 
ficial notice  has  been  given  the  General  Assembly  by  his  legal  repre- 
sentative, Col.  Bennet  H.  Young. 

P.  562.  Touching  the  large  bequest  left  by  the  late  Dr.  Stuart  Eob- 
inson  for  this  particular  fund,  on  condition  "that  the  General  Assembly 
shall  encourage  and  organize  an  effort  to  increase  the  amount  to  one 
hrmdred  thousand  dollars,"  it  is  recommended  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly gratefully  accept  this  large  donation  on  the  condition  specified,  and 
that  the  executive  committee  at  Baltimore  be  directed  to  take  such 
steps  as  in  their  judgment  may  seem  best  to  increase  this  fund  to  the 
specified  amount,  and  that  the  fund  be  called  the  "  Stuart  Robinson 
Invalid  Endowment  Fund." 

P.  551.  Thfe  moderator  and  the  chairman  of  the  Standing  Commit- 
tee on  Home  Missions  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  suit- 
able response  to  the  family  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Stuart  Robinson,  rela- 
tive to  the  above  endowment  fund. 

1884,  p.  234.  Whereas,  The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Stuart  Robinson  be- 
queathed the  sum  of  $25,000  toward  the  endowment  of  the  Invalid 
fund,  on  the  condition  precedent  that  there  should  be  an  "organized 
efifort"  to  increase  the  endowment  of  said  fund  to  the  amount  of  $100,- 
000;  and, 

Whereas,  The  way  is  not  clear  to  enter  upon  such  an  organized  ef- 
fort as  was  evidently  contemplated  by  this  venerable  servant  of  God ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  hereby  withdraws  aU  claim 
to  this  bequest,  and  directs  the  stated  clerk  to  communicate  this  action 
to  the  executor  of  Dr.  Robinson's  will. 

335.  Benefit  ;fund. 

1885,  p.  309,  Whereas  there  is  no  efficient  plan  in  our  Church  for 
the  relief  of  the  families  of  ministers  who  die  in  the  service  of  the 
Church ;  and 

Whereas  the  vast  majority  of  our  beloved  ministers  receive  not  more 
than  a  bare  support,  and  are  therefore  unable  to  lay  by  anything  for 


Secs.  336,  337.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  179 

the  support  of  their  families  after  they  themselves  have  been  called  to 
rest;  therefore, 

Resolred,  That  a  committee  of  seven  ruling  elders  be  appointed,  who 
shall  consider  whether  a  practicable  system,  which  will  not  interfere 
with  collections  for  Invalid  fnnd,  can  be  adopted,  by  which  oiu"  mem- 
bers may  be  induced,  by  contributing  small  sums  at  stated  times,  to 
create  a  "  benefit  fund"  to  be  paid  to  the  widow  of  every  minister  who 
may  die  after  such  system  is  adopted,  and  that  said  committee  report  to 
this  Assembly. 

The  committee  appointed  under  this  resolution  is  as  follows :  W.  W. 
Mun-ay,  W.  J.  Leake,  N.  A.  Floiirnoy,  J.  C.  Peoples,  C.  E.  Warner, 
John  M.  Gordon,  and  C.  Bardwell. 

P.  421.  The  report  of  this  committee,  after  being  discussed,  was  laid 
on  the  table. 

386.  Jiutes  cqyplying  to  the  Invalid  lund. 

From  the  Manual : 

1.  This  fund  is  for  the  assistance  of  aged  and  disabled  ministers,  and 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  ministers. 

2.  The  annual  collection  is  taken  up  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  July,  or 
as  soon  thereafter  as  may  be  practicable. 

3.  Annual  approjjriations  are  made  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  October, 
•on  application  presented  by  the  Chairman  of  Presbyterial  Committee  of 
Home  Missions. 

4.  It  is  the  duty  of  said  chairmen  to  inform  themselves  of  all  cases 
of  need  in  the  bounds  of  their  own  Presbyteries,  and  to  forward  the 
facts  to  the  executive  committee,  stating  the  sum  which  is  deemed 
necessary  in  each  case.  The  executive  committee  has  no  authority  to 
make  appropriations,  except  they  be  first  recommended  by  the  Presby- 
terial Committee. 

5.  Appropriations  from  this  fund  are  not  to  be  regarded  in  the  light 
of  an  annuity.  Each  case  must  be  presented  annually  under  its  pre- 
sent circumstances. 

6.  Appropriations  for  the  adidt  children  of  deceased  ministers  cannot 
1)6  made,  except  in  extraordinary  cases. 

7.  Applications  from  this  fund  ought  to  be  made,  as  far  as  jDossible, 
in  September,  so  that  they  may  be  considered  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
appropriation  in  October.  Immediately  thex'eafter  one-half  of  appro- 
priations will  be  paid,  and  the  balauce  in  the  following  March,  if  the 
iunds  in  the  treasuiy  shall  justify  payment  in  full. 


C  H  A  r  T  E  II   III. 

EDUCATION. 

337.   The  Executive  Committee  of  Education  constituted. 

1861,  p.  23.  Resolved,  1,  That  this  General  Assembly  solemnly  re- 
affirms the  deliverances  made  in  its  former  connection  concerning  the 
responsibility  that  rests  on  the  Church  to  secure  and  maintain  for  it- 
self a  pious,  gifted,  and  learned  ministiy. 


180  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Resolved,  2,  That  this  Assembly  do  aj^point  an  executive  committee 
to  aid  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry  who  may  need  assistance,  and 
to  possess  the  following  organization,  viz. : 

Article  I.  The  title  of  this  committee  shaU  be  "  The  Executive 
Committee  of  Education  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Chi^rch  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America." 

Aut.  II.  This  committee  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  General 
Assembly,  and  shall  consist  of  eleven  members,  all  of  whom  shall  be 
communicants  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  viz. :  of  nine  members, 
three  at  least  of  whom  shall  be  ruling  elders,  deiacons,  or  private  mem- 
bers of  the  Presb}i;erian  Church;  a  treasurer  and  a  secretary,  who 
shaU  be  styled  "  The  Secretary  of  Education."  The  secretary  shall  be 
the  organ  of  communication  between  the  General  Assembly  and  the 
executive  committee. 

Art.  III.  The  secretary  and  treasui-er  shall  be  elected  annually  by 
the  General  Assembly :  but  their  salaries  and  their  duties  shall  be  de- 
termined by  the  committee.  Any  vacancies  ad  interim  in  the  commit- 
tee may  be  filled  by  the  rest  of  the  committee. 

Art.  IV.  This  committee  shall  meet  at  the  call  of  its  chairman  or 
secretaiy,  and  when  convened  five  members  shaU  be  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business.  It  shaU  keep  a  record  of  all  its  proceedings, 
which,  together  with  the  report  fi'om  the  treasurer,  concerning  its  fi- 
nancial condition,  and  one  fi'om  its  secretary,  concerning  its  educational 
operations,  shall  be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly  annually. 

Art.  V.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  cominittee  to  dispense  aid,  in 
prosecuting  their  education,  to  such  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry 
as  may  be  recommended  to  them  by  the  Presbj'teries.  It  shall  hold 
and  disbiu-se  aU  funds  put  into  its  hands  for  this  purpose.  It  shaU  also 
have  a  general  oversight  of  the  diligence  and  deportment  of  those  who 
are  aided  by  it. 

Art.  VI.  The  committee  shall  prepare  a  set  of  rules  for  the  prosecu- 
tion of  its  pecuhar  work,  which  shall  be  submitted  to  the  next  General 
Assembly  for  approval  or  correction.  All  changes  in  these  rules  must 
be  sanctioned  by  the  General  Assembly. 

Art.  VII.  This  committee  shall  be  located  in  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

338.   The  work  turned  over  to  a  provisioned  committee. 

1863,  p.  174.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  report  to  the  As- 
sembly : 

In  consequeuce  of  the  occiipation  of  Mempliis,  Tennessee,  by  Federal  troops  last 
summer,  the  Assembly's  Committee  of  Education,  stationed  at  that  place,  was  broken 
np  and  dispersed.  Dr.  Gray,  the  secretary,  tiudin^  it  impossible  to  conduct  its  af- 
fairs there,  and,  at  the  same  time,  deeming  it  unsafe  to  retain  its  funds  where  they 
would  be  liable  to  confiscation,  remitted  them  to  Columbia,  as  a  safer  place  of  de- 
posit, with  the  request  that  the  undersigned  would  take  charge  of  them,  and  attend 
to  the  general  affairs  of  the  committee  until  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly.  In  ac- 
cordance with  this  request,  the  undersigned  organized  themselves  into  a  jirovi- 
sional  committee,  by  the  appointment  of  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  chairmiin,  Rev. 
J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  secretary,  and  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  treasurer;  and  this 
arrangement  was  made  known  to  the  churches  generally  through  the  medium  of  the 
religious  newspapers.  The  committee,  however,  have  had  little  else  to  do  than  act 
as  custodians  of  the  fnnds  conunitted  to  their  care. 

No  applications  for  aid  have  been  made,  and  consetpiently,  no  appropriations 
whatever  have  been  voted  by  the  committee.  The  fact  that  no  application  lias  been 
made,  the  committee  think,  cannot  be  urged  as  an  argument  against  the  accumula- 
tion of  a  fund  for  educational  purposes,  but  is  to  be  ascribed,  in  this  particular  in- 


Secs.  339, 340.]  The  Agen'cies  of  the  Church.  181 

stance,  to  the  circumstance  that  all  the  younp;  men  who  would  likely  have  needed 
aid  in  the  proseciitiou  of  their  studies  have  been  called  to  the  army. 

The  funds  remitted  by  Dr.  Gray,  amounting'  to  ^1,180.74,  were  at  once  invested 
in  Confederate  interest-bearinji;  notes,  with  the  view  of  beiu<^  converted  into  cur- 
rent funds  at  any  time  they  might  be  needed.  Since  the  organization  of  the  com- 
mittee, the  treasurer  has  received  from  churches  and  individuals  the  sum  of 
$1,884.41,  which,  added  to  the  original  sum  remitted  by  Dr.  Gray,  places  in  his 
hands,  at  the  present  time,  the  sum  of  $<3,0G5. 15,  which  is  in  Confederate  interest- 
bearing  notes. 

P.  184:  Hesolred,  1,  That  the  Assembly  approve  of  the  prudence  and 
judgment  of  Dr.  Gray,  the  secretary  of  Education,  in  appointing  so 
suitable  a  provisional  committee,  and  in  transfeiTing  the  funds  to  a 
place  of  greater  safety  than 'they  were,  as,  from  the  presence  of  the 
enemy  in  Memphis,  it  was  impossible  for  him  either  to  discharge  his 
duties  as  secretaiy  or  to  preserve  the  funds  in  safety. 

2.  That  the  investment,  by  the  provisional  committee,  of  the  funds 
in  Confederate  notes,  which  can  be  converted  at  any  moment  into  cash 
funds,  be  approved. 

8.  That  the  Assembly  concur  with  the  committee  in  urging  upon  our 
chiu'ches  the  continued  collection  of  funds  for  Education,  as  the  demand 
will  probably,  at  no  distant  day,  be  very  great  for  them,  and  it  is  wise 
thus  to  lay  by  in  store,  that  there  be  nothing  wanting. 

339.  The  Executive   Committees  of  Education  and  Publication 

united. 

1863,  p.  134.  Your  committee  recommend  that,  for  the  present,  the 
Committee  of  Education  and  that  of  Pul)lication  be  united  under  one 
management,  as  the  labors  of  each  are  very  light,  and  one  secretaiy  and 
committee  can  discharge  them  both.     Adopted. 

340-  Beneficiary  education. 

1863,  p.  127.  Overture  from  the  Presb;\-tery  of  Lexington:  "In 
view  of  the  doubts  of  many  in  our  Church,  in  respect  to  the  beneticiars^ 
system  of  education  as  provided  for  the  ministry,  and  believing  that 
such  a  system  too  long  and  generally  jnirsued  may  attract  a  wrong  class 
of  candidates,  with  false  motives  and  infeiior  qualitications,  and  may 
also  repel  another  class,  (imwarrantably,  it  is  true,  but  yet  as  the  ac- 
tual experience  of  the  Church,)  believing,  also,  that  in  this  Southern 
Confederacy  yoimg  men  of  suitable  gifts  can,  in  most  cases,  without  in- 
jurious delay,  pay  their  expenses  in  study  by  teaching  and  other  useful 
pursuits,  or  by  winning,  in  fair  competition,  certain  bm-saries  or  scholai'- 
ships  that  might  be  provided  at  our  seats  of  learning;  and  that  in  the 
few  cases  imperatively  needing  help,  private  hands  or  individual 
chiu'ches  might  more  intelhgeutly  and  watchfully  bestow  it ;  this  Pres- 
bytery hereby  overtures  the  General  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee, 
at  its  approaching  sessions,  to  revise  the  whole  subject  of  beneticiarj' 
education,  and  to  report  to  the  General  Assembly  next  ensuing.  Also, 
this  Presb;\'tery  makes  overture  that  the  Church  be  not  committed  to 
any  mt)re  permanent  arrangement  than  now  exists  for  the  education  of 
ministers,  till  this  report  be  j^resented  and  acted  upon." 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  would  report :  That  they  have 
given  to  the  subject  presented  in  Overture  No.  1  the  best  consideration 
which  the  time  at  their  command  would  permit.  It  is  one  of  the  first 
importance  to  the  Chmch  in  this  and  in  future  generations. 


182  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

At  the  organization  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  duty,  as  it  would 
seem  all  regarded  it,  of  providing  for  the  education  of  such  candidates 
for  the  ministry  as  might  require  pecuniaiy  aid  in  the  prosecution  of 
their  studies,  "was  assumed  as  one  of  the  leading  enterjDrises  which  ap- 
pertained, if  not  exclusively,  yet  dii'ecth'  and  prominently  to  the  Assem- 
bly. Nothing  short  of  the  most  cogent  reasons  wovild  justify  so  early 
an  abandonment,  or  even  any  important  modilication  of  a  scheme  thus 
incorporated  with  the  original  structure  of  oiu*  ecclesiastical  oj)erations. 
It  would  appear  to  be  too  soon  to  begin  to  "pull  down." 

On  the  other  hand,  however,  it  is  undeniable  that  the  Education 
Board  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  whilst  we  formed  a  component  part  of  the  body,  at  no 
time  received  the  general  support  of  the  Southern  portion  of  the  Church. 
With  all  the  tendencies  to  centralization,  our  Presbyteries,  except  to  a 
very  limited  extent,  supported  their  own  candidates,  without  reference 
to  the  Board.  Further,  the  overture  before  us,  coming  from  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  influential  Presbyteries  on  our  roll,  indicates  a  dissat- 
isfaction with  the  plan  of  operation  existing  in  the  old  Assembly  and 
adopted  by  the  new,  which  it  might  not  be  wise  in  us  to  disregard. 
Withal,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  views  set  forth  in  the  over- 
ture are  not  confined  to  that  Presbytery. 

Then,  also,  our  Executive  Committee  of  Education  have  been  arrested 
in  their  work  at  its  commencement  by  the  troubles  of  our  country,  and 
ma}'  be  said  to  have  been  disbanded,  with  no  prospect  of  being  per- 
mitted, for  another  year  at  least,  to  resume  their  work.  The  Assembly 
has  now  before  it  a  proposition  to  reconstruct  the  scheme,  so  far  as  its 
practical  operations  are  concerned,  in  order  that  it  may  not  fail  alto- 
gether. This  does  not,  indeed,  afford  a  sufficient  reason  why  we  should 
overthrow  what  has  been  established,  but  it  does  offer  an  opportunity, 
without  serious  inconvenience  or  other  injury,  to  review  the  whole  sub- 
ject, with  the  hope  that  if  there  be  a  better  way  of  managing  this  most 
valuable  and,  now  more  than  ever,  imperatively  needed  agency  for  car- 
r^dng  forward  the  work  given  vis  to  do,  that  better  way  may  be  discov- 
ered ;  and  if  not,  that  the  minds  and  affections  of  all  om*  Presb;s-teries 
and  churches  may  be  united  in  stronger  confidence  and  more  earnest 
zeal  in  the  support  of  the  scheme  already  adopted. 

The  committee  therefore  recommend  the  appointment  of  the  com- 
mittee asked  for  in  the  overtiu'e.     Adopted. 

The  following  were  appointed  as  the  committee  contemplated  above  r 
Eev.  Jos.  B.  WUson,  D.  D.,  Kev.  John  N.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  Eev.  George 
Howe,  D.  D.,  Eev.  John  Miller,  and  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Preston. 

1804,  p.  267.  (1.)  JResolved,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  is 
hereby  adopted,  as  settmg  forth,  with  much  clearness  and  force,  the 
views  of  this  Assembly  on  the  question  discussed  in  it,  and  it  is  ear- 
nestly recommended  that  it  be  published  by  the  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion for  general  circulation,  and  as  one  of  their  permanent  tracts. 

(2.)  liesolred,  That  the  committee  be  continued,  and  be  requested  to 
report  to  the  next  Assembly  on  the  question,  whether  the  support  of 
candidates  for  the  ministry  should  be  provided  for  and  superintended 
by  the  General  Assembly,  or  by  the  Presbyteries,  or  in  what  other 
way. 

(3.)  Resolved,  That  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick  and  Wm.  L.  Mitchell  be 
added  to  the  committee. 


Sec.  340.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  183 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  committee  which  was  thus  adopted, 
and  which  is  foimd  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  1864. 

In  lueasiiriug  the  field  of  iu(niiry  allotted  to  us,  we  could  discover  no  necessity 
for  occupying  your  attention  with  an  argument  in  favor  of  an  educated  ministry ; 
for  there  never  has  been  a  time  in  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  when 
there  was  serious  difference  of  opinion  upon  this  well  understood  jDoint.  From  the 
earliest  jjeriod  of  her  existence  she  has,  bj*  every  form  of  official  action  possible  to 
such  a  testimony,  littered  a  distinct  voice  in  behalf  of  the  highest  standard  of  min- 
isterial qualification.  While  no  church  has  more  strenuously  insisted  upon  the  un- 
speakable imijortance  of  pieti/  in  the  pulpit,  none  has  been  more  determined  to 
possess  a  puli^it  characterized  bj'  something  more  than  the  impatient  zeal,  the  un- 
guarded enthusiasm,  and  the  heated  impulses  in  which  mere  vehemence  of  religioxis 
emotions  is  so  apt,  when  left  to  itself,  to  waste  its  fires — a  pulpit  where  ardor  of 
soul  shall  be  tempered  and  directed  by  discipline  of  mind,  breadth  of  knowledge, 
and  accuracy  of  scholarship.  Regarding,  therefore,  the  conclusions  of  the  Church 
touching  this  matter  as  sound  and  irreversible,  our  attention  was  principally  fixed 
upon  another  point  to  which  the  wisdom  of  our  denomination  has  been  long  di- 
rected, but  where  the  decisions  of  that  wisdom  have  not  appeared  so  satisfactory  to 
all  good  men.  This  relates  to  the  great  subject  of  what  is  styled  henejiciary  educa- 
tion, and  particularly  to  the  question  whether  that  scheme  of  stipendiary  schooling, 
with  whose  details  our  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  former 
United  States  has  rendered  us  familiar,  is  the  best  one  for  us  in  our  new  condition 
as  a  separate  ecclesiastical  organization  to  continue. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  the  Assemblj'  which  convened  in  December,  1861,  in 
the  city  of  Augusta,  unanimously  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  ' '  solemnly  re-affirm- 
ing the  deliverances  made  in  oiir  former  connection  concerning  the  resiionsibility 
that  rests  on  the  Church  to  secure  and  maintain  for  itself  a  pious,  gifted,  and 
learned  ministry;"  and,  in  conformity  with  this  re-affirmation,  ajjpointed  "an  ex- 
ecutive committee  to  aid  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry  wlio  maj'  need  assis- 
tance," chose  a  "secretary  of  Education,"  and  did  all  other  things  to  set  in  motion 
a  system  whose  ojieration  might  impart  efficiency  to  this  arm  of  the  Church's  use- 
fulness. Your  committee  was,  therefore,  under  the  necessity  of  propounding  to  it- 
self not  simply  the  qiiestion,  shall  the  scheme  of  beneficiary  education,  so  long  in 
prosperous  use  by  the  old  Assembly,  and  so  much  in  favor  throughout  the  entire 
country— shall  this  be  set  aside  for  a  new  and  altogether  difl'ereut  j^lan  ^  but,  in 
addition,  we  were  constrained  to  inquire,  shall  the  solemn  action  of  our  own  initia- 
tive Assembly,  which  formally  contained  a  substantial  adoption  of  this  tried  scheme, 
be,  before  three  years  have  elapsed,  and  time  has  beoi  allowed  to  test  its  vahie  un- 
der changed  conditions  shall  this,  too,  be  swept  away  to  make  room  for  the  inau- 
guration of  some  policy  wholly  foreign  and  novel  y 

The  fact  that  our  first  Executivi'  Committee  of  Education  was  suddenly  arrested 
in  their  work  by  the  i)aralysis  of  war,  and  compelli>d  even  to  disband  almost  at  the 
beginning  of  their  career:  and  the  additional  fact  that  the  new  committee  appointed 
in  their  stead  have  been  unable,  owiug  to  the  continuance  of  the  same  causes  which 
operated  at  the  outset,  to  do  much  more  than  maintain  a  luminal  existence;  this 
state  of  facts,  throwing  us  back  to  the  point  whence  the  original  Assembly  started, 
would  appear  to  offer  an  oi)portunity  for  reviewing  the  whole  subject  as  ausi)icious 
as  if  nothing  whatever  had  been  done.  But  still  that  Assembly  (Jid  act,  and  its  action 
was,  no  doul)t.  as  maturely  considered  by  that  body  as  it  could  have  been,  had  it 
been  assured  beforehand  that  the  fairest  and  fullest  play  would  have  been  secured 
to  its  proposed  policy  by  every  favoring  circumstance  of  peace.  And  your  commit- 
tee felt  that  it  ought  to  be  only  under  the  stress  of  solinin  convictions  of  duty, 
whose  path  is  illuminated  by  light  which  our  highest  court  did  not  possess  in  ISO'l, 
that  its  successor  in  1H('>4  shall  undertake  to  reverse  its  decisions  in  a  matter  so  grave 
and  so  vital,  or  that  this  report  should  venture  to  suggest  any  material  change  in  a 
great  law  of  the  Church.  The  Church  should  lie  sK)w  to  alter,  where  alteration  is 
not  demanded  by  the  detection  of  serit)us  error  or  the  discovery  of  some  hitherto 
nnsusiieoted  truth.  In  permanem  y  re])oses  strength.  It  is  believed,  however,  that 
those  who  most  desire  to  see  the  whole  field  of  beneticiaiy  education  again  explored 
have  difficulties  to  examine  and  to  remove  that  lie  back  of  every  possible  scheme. 
These  difficulties  attach  to  certain  injurious  consequences  involved  in  the  policy 
which  exhibits  its  essential  character  in  the  use  of  the  word  "  bc/Kjician/."  It  is 
thought  by  many  that  there  should  be  no  ecclesiastical  recognition  of  indicunn/  iu 
candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  that  the  Church  has  no  authority  to  bestow  tenefits 
out  of  her  meagre  treasury  upon  aspirants  to  the  sacred  office  wlio  are  too  poor  to 


184  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV, 

help  themselves.  They  would,  therefore,  disencumber  the  Church  altogether  from 
the  charge  of  their  maintenance,  and  throw  this  burden  where  (say  they)  it  honestly 
belongs,  i.  e.,  upon  the  students  themselves  ;  a  measure  which  would  neces- 
sarily revolutionize  the  entire  subject  of  ministerial  education  as  it  has  been  hereto- 
fore understood. 

Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  confusion  of  thought  which  has  re- 
sulted from  the  use  of  the  term  "  beneficiary, "  as  applied  to  the  matter  before  us, 
and  many  of  the  difficiilties  which  seem  to  obstruct  the  Chiirchs  path  of  duty  in 
the  premises  would  be  removed  If  a  clear  statement  of  her  true  relation  to  the  can- 
didate coiild  be  authoritatively  made  by  the  General  Assembly.  It  seems  to  us  to 
be  expressed  -N^ith  sufficient  distinctness  in  the  following  proposition — a  proposition 
that,  we  feel  confident,  indicates  the  real  belief  of  the  great  body  of  God's  people 
touching  this  jjoint.  It  is  this  :  Every  candidate  for  the  gosj^el  ministrj^  does,  in 
sundering  the  ties  which  connected  him  with  secular  avocations,  so  far  dedicate 
himself  to  the  service  of  God  in  the  Church  as  entitles  him  to  expect  at  her  hands 
the  education  which  he  may  yet  need  for  that  service  ;  and  he  is,  therefore,  not  to 
be  regarded  by  the  Church,  or  by  himself,  in  the  light  of  an  object  of  charity,  biit 
as  a  laborer  already  occupying  a  place  in  the  field  of  ministerial  dutj".  This  state- 
ment it  is  not  proposed  to  elaborate.  When  once  announced,  it  immediately  com- 
mends its  self -evidencing  truth  to  every  thinker.  It  sets  aside  altogether  the  com- 
mon notion  that  a  receiDtion  of  pecuniary  aid  by  the  candidate,  when  such  aid  is 
administered  by  the  authority  of  the  Church,  places  the  recipient  in  the  attitude  of 
beggary,  and  the  giver  in  the  attitude  of  benefaction — a  notion  cruelly  iinjust  to 
the  candidate,  dishonoring  to  the  Church  herself,  and  opposed  to  every  intelligent 
idea  of  the  ministerial  work  which,  from  the  first  step  of  incipient  candidacy  to  the 
last  step  of  the  preacher's  finished  labors,  righteously  demands  for  the  spiritual 
workman  his  hire,  and  this,  too,  by  the  express  ordinance  of  God. 

The  association  of  charity  with  the  subject  of  beneficiary  education  is,  therefore, 
uncalled  for,  and  is  plainly  inJTirious  to  the  honor  of  that  blessed  Master  who  will 
have  no  man  whom  he  calls  into  the  immediate  service  of  his  Church,  and  thus  of 
himself,  become  the  bearer  of  his  own  charges.  And  so  prevalent  and  so  vicioiis 
is  the  habit  of  associating  these  two  things  together — so  widespread  is  the  unhappy 
assumption  that  the  Church,  in  the  relation  she  sustains  to  her  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  is  a  grand  eleemosynary  institution — that  you  find  it  impossible  to  prevent 
mankind  from  going  further,  and  carrying  forward  this  assumption  to  its  logical 
result  in  the  consequent  belief  that  all  ministerial  support  is,  from  first  to  last,  mere 
tender-hearted  bounty,  which  may  be  withheld  without  sin,  but  which,  when  be- 
stowed, entitles  the  bestowers  to  the  high  praise  of  disinterested  benevolence.  With 
this  deep-seated  impression  in  the  public  mind  the  pulpit  itself  has  had  to  maintain 
a  constant  and  a  wasting  struggle.  And  this  struggle  must  continue  between  the 
pastor's  demand  for  an  adequate  support  while  exclusively  devoted  to  the  fiill  ser- 
vice of  the  Church,  and  the  people's  resistance  to  such  a  demand,  imtil  it  comes  to 
be  distinctly  understood  that,  from  the  very  oiitset  of  the  minister's  career — from 
the  moment  when  he  first  jjuts  his  hand  to  the  ijlough  in  the  field  of  preparation — 
he  is  a  claimant,  not  upon  the  Church's  generosity,  but  upon  her  jiistice,  not  upon 
her  feeling  of  pity,  but  upon  her  sense  of  duty.  Having  given  himself  to  her,  does 
he  bespeak  her  charity,  when,  with  all  her  wealth,  she  could  not  repay  his  service, 
or  with  aU  her  endowments,  do  without  it  ?  No ;  the  favored  party  all  along — if 
either  may  be  so  styled — is  not  he.  So  that  every  consider|ition,  whether  of  grati- 
tude to  her  Lord  for  bestowing  the  young  man  upon  her,  or  of  honesty  in  her  treat- 
ment of  him  who  has  cheerfxilly  acceded  to  this  disposition  of  his  person,  by  which 
he  chooses  her  service  in  preference  to  all  others,  gives  force  to  the  proposition 
that  he  is  entitled  to  her  sympathies  not  onlj',  but  also  to  the  utmost  liberality  of 
support  at  her  hands,  as  well  while  taking  the  ste^js  that  maj'  conduct  him  to  her 
pulpit  as  during  the  whole  jieriod  of  his  incumbency  therein ;  the  strength  of  which 
position  will  further  apj^ear  when  you  reflect  that,  although  God  has  imparted  to 
the  Church  the  indwelling  presence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  cheered  her  with  the 
promise  of  glorious  triumphs  over  every  opposing  kingdom,  yet,  iu  ordfr  to  give 
her  a  formal  completeness  for  her  gigantic  work,  he  has  so  organized  her  as  to  se- 
cure the  co-operation  of  the  principle  of  self-perpetuation— a  principle  which 
obviously  lodges  with  her  the  elements  of  a  distinct  and  solemn  responsibility  iu  the 
matter  of  providing,  throv;gh  her  licensing  and  ordaining  agency,  her  own  minis- 
ters, down  to  the  end  of  time.  And  the  duty  to  provide  involves  the  duty  of  mak- 
ing provision  effective.  Effective,  however,  it  cannot  be,  unless  those  candidates 
for  sacred  office  whom  the  Master  has  called  and  placed  in  the  Church's  hands  as 
a  precious  gift,  be  by  her  properly  trained  for  their  destined  work ;  and,  clearly. 


Sec.  340.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  185 

this  indispeusable  training  includes  all  that  is  ever  meant  by  "  ministerial  educa- 
tion. "  She  has  no  right,  therefore,  to  compel  or  even  advise  the  candidate  to  sup- 
port himself,  much  less  to  treat  him  as  a  burden  upon  her  charity  iu  the  event  of 
his  declining  to  do  this.  The  obligation  is  all  her  own,  as  the  benefits  accruing  are 
hers.  And  so  she  herself  acknowledges,  by  ordaining  those  inexorable  laws  for 
his  education,  both  as  to  its  nature  and  its  extent ;  a  departure  from  which,  so  far 
from  being  optional  with  him,  may  debar  him  from  all  access  to  her  pulpits.  Thus 
binding  him  to  her  service  with  one  hand,  can  she  with  the  other  repel  him,  when 
he  demands  the  means  of  engaging  himself  iu  it  ?  Thih  would,  indeed,  be  recjuir- 
ing  bricks  while  refusing  the  straw. 

But  if  they  who  come  to  her  doors,  seeking  entrance  into  the  ministry,  choose,  or 
their  immediate  friends  choose  for  them,  to  afford  all  needful  pecuniary  aid  to  help 
them  onward  to  the  period  of  their  ordination,  this  is  another  matter.  The  Chiirch 
may  accept  this  assistance ;  but,  in  doing  so,  she  is  simply  accepting  a  contribution 
to  her  treasury  for  which  she  ought  to  be  gi'ateful.  She  has  no  authority  to  de- 
mand it. 

It  is,  indeed,  no  wonderful  sacrifice  for  a  J'oung  man  to  make,  when,  casting 
all  those  worldly  prospects  which  offer  to  him  the  rewards  of  ambition,  or  wealth, . 
or  ease,  in  a  hundred  other  pursuits  of  life,  he  resolves  to  devote  his  energies  and 
his  time  to  the  service  of  God  as  a  herald  of  salvation ;  and,  thus  resolving,  seeks  to 
prepare  himself,  at  his  own  cost,  for  so  high  and  so  sacred  a  calling.  Doubtless  it 
is  an  honor  unspeakable  to  be  selected  bj'  the  Holj'  Ghost  to  be  a  messenger  of 
gi-ace  to  lost  men.  And  he  who  is  thus  distinguished,  by  being  permitted  to  look 
forward  to  unusual  labors  and  uncommon  sacrifices,  and  it  may  be  to  pre-eminent 
usefulness,  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  may  well  afford  to  inaugurate  his  career  by  cast- 
ing all  his  property,  as  he  does  his  talents,  into  the  effort  to  prove  worthy  of  so  pe- 
culiar a  distinction.  But  the  jjoint  at  issue  does  not  lie  here.  It  is  not  what  the 
candidate  may  esteem  as  his  privilege,  but  what  the  ChTirch  must  regard  as  her 
duty.  If  he  be  in  the  condition  which  enables  him  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  offering 
to  the  Church  himself  not  only,  but  himself  prepared  for  his  ordination  vows,  let 
him  think  it  no  hardship  to  taste  the  honey  of  such  an  act  of  dedication.  But 
nevertheless,  if  this  he  cannot  do,  or  if  this  he  feels  that  he  ought  not  to  do,  then 
must  the  Church  take  him  up  from  the  beginning,  conduct  him  into  her  schools,  and, 
by  every  means  in  her  power,  endeavor  to  make  him  a  workman  who  will  never 
"need  to  be  ashamed." 

We  are  aware,  indeed,  that  however  you  may  dispose  of  this  fundamental  posi- 
tion in  a  discussion  of  the  subject  of  beneficiary  education — even  though  it  may 
readily  be  granted— yet  objections  are  urged  to  the  existing  scheme  adojjted  by  the 
wisdom  of  the  almost  unjinimous  Church  for  meeting  her  acknowledged  obligations 
in  the  premises;  and  on  the  ground  of  these  objections  the  plea  for  a  radical 
change  is  set  uj)  with  a  degree  of  plausibility.  That  this  system  is  free  from  diffi- 
culties no  one  will  pretend.  That  it  has  been,  and  is,  always  liable  to  be  abiised, 
every  observing  and  refiecting  Christian  must  promptly  allow.  But  if  we  steadily 
look  at  some  of  the  dilficulties  which  have  been  pointed  out — if  we  measure  their 
true  magnitudes — it  will  be  seen  that  they  are  by  no  means  insuperable  in  them- 
selves or  fatal  to  the  system  with  which  the  Church  is  familiar,  but  that  they 
are  simply  those  inseparable  adjuncts  to  it,  as  a  system  whose  working  has  been 
necessarily  intrusted  to  the  imperfection  of  human  wisdom,  and  is  applied  to 
the  weakness  of  human  subjects.  It  may  be  well,  however,  to  glance  at  a  few  of 
the  difficulties  which  are  said  to  beset  this  path  of  the  Church's  usefulness. 

1.  The  objection,  often  Tii-ged,  that  a  promise  of  support  to  indigent  candidates 
is  fraught  with  the  danger  of  attracting  men  from  the  lower  orders  of  society, 
thereby  threatening  the  pulpit  with  the  evils  of  rustic  coarseness  on  the  one  hand, 
and.  on  the  other,  deterring  men  of  commanding  social  station  from  seeking  it,  is 
hardly  deserving  of  serious  refutation.  I'nder  any  state  of  things,  seeing  that  "not 
many  wise,  not  many  noble  are  called,"  it  must  be  the  case  that  comjiaratively  few 
iu  affluent  circumstances  would  l)e  expected  to  enter  the  ministerial  ranks.  To 
the  poor,  and,  to  a  large  extent,  hy  the  poor,  was  the  gospel  ordained  to  be 
preached.  But  notwithstanding  this,  your  committee  are  of  the  belief  that  the 
ministry  of  our  Church,  comjiosed.  to  a  considerable  extent,  of  those  who  were  once 
beneficiaries,  has  never  been  materially  damaged  by  any  lack  of  proper  refinement 
in  its  incumbents.     Gods  order  is  the  best. 

2.  A  more  formidable  objection  lies  against  a  tendency  which  the  beneficiary 
•cheme  is  said  to  strengthen,  to  induce  men  to  aspire  to  the  sacred  office  from  im- 
proper motives ;  for  its  high  social  position ;  its  sources  of  personal  iufiueiicr  and 
aggrandizement ;  for  the  assurance  it  gives,  iu  most  cases,  of  a  respectable  li-ving. 


186  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

That  this  tendency  lias,  in  some  instances,  become  eifect  is  as  undeniable  as  lament- 
able. But  it  is,  on  tlie  other  hand,  historically  true  that  the  exam^Dles  of  genuine 
piety,  whose  prevailing  inducement  for  seeking  this  holy  service  has  been  the  de- 
sire to  promote  the  glory  of  God  rather  than  to  aim  at  the  prizes  of  worldly  ambi- 
tion or  of  mere  professional  emolument,  are  as  numerous  under  the  system  in  ques- 
tion as  could  be  hoped  for  under  any  jilan  which  implies  the  abandonment  of  this. 
The  objection,  therefore,  f)resses  only  upon  the  corriiptiou  of  the  human  heart  as 
lying  back  of  the  whole  matter,  viewed  in  whatever  asjiect  it  may  present  itself. 

3.  A  third  drawback  is,  that  it  is  supposed  to  beget  a  spirit  of  mendicity,  instead 
of  cultivating  that  of  personal  thrift  and  manly  independence.  This  may  be  said 
to  be  practically  counteracted  by  the  fact  that  no  candidate  has  ever  yet  been  sup- 
ported from  the  treasury  of  the  Church  to  siich  an  extent  as  to  remove  all  care  from 
his  mind  touching  his  daily  sustenance.  We,  however,  believe  that,  as  a  general 
thing;  our  candidates  have  not  been  liberally  enough  supplied  with  pecuniary  help; 
and  that,  whenever  the  feeling  of  mendicity  has  humbled  their  honest  pride,  this 
has  been  due,  not  to  the  aids  they  have  received,  but  to  the  spirit  in  which  the 
stinted  allowances  have  too  often  been  extended.  Spirited  young  men  have  been 
made  to  experience  the  emotions  of  a  beggar  becaiise  the  hand  which  doled  out  to 
them  their  pittance  has  been  that  of  a  lordly  benefactor.  But  let  this  notion  be 
once  removed  from  the  mind  of  the  Church ;  let  it  be  well  understood  that  her 
candidates  are  not  her  debtors,  but  her  creditors ;  that  they  are  receiving  simplj' 
what  is  their  due,  not  what  is  their  need  in  distress,  and,  in  no  case,  will  they  sink 
beneath  the  consciousness  of  shame,  but  will  hold  iip  their  heads  in  the  conscious- 
ness of  unabashed  self-respect.  The  same  result,  indeed,  might  be  reached  (it  is 
contended)  by  driving  these  men  from  the  doors  of  the  Church,  with  the  haughty 
command  to  do  the  doiible  work  of  elevating  their  characters  and  providing  for 
their  own  education,  by  employing  themselves  in  teaching  or  some  other  useful 
pursuit,  or  by  stripping  themselves  for  winning,  in  the  arena  of  scholarly  conflict, 
those  bursaries  which  have  been  provided  for  the  ambitious  victors.  But  to  say 
nothing  more  as  to  the  want  of  right  in  the  Church  thus  to  treat  her  future  minis- 
ters, such  a  plan  is  surrounded  with  formidable  impediments  on  the  ground  of 
simple  expediency.  Experience  shows  that  those  students  who,  in  order  to  secure 
a  livelihood  which  shall  maintain  them  throughout  their  coiirse  of  preparation  for 
the  pastoral  pthce,  seek. to  devote  their  energies  to  teaching  or  to  mechanical  labor, 
do,  in  a  majority  of  cases,  waste,  in  harrassing  efforts  to  ol)tain  a  sujiport,  that 
precious  time  which  would  otherwise  be  far  more  profitably  employed  in  direct 
and  consecutive  study.  Thus  their  education  is  delayed,  unless  they  meanwhile 
study  privately ;  and  if  this  be  done,  their  training  is  fragmentary,  imjjerf ect,  and 
in  many  ways  damaging  to  their  future  usefulness.  Or  if  they  find,  as  has  so  often 
been  the  case,  that  they  and  theirs  can  be  more  easily  supported  by  the  methods 
they  have  been  forced  to  adopt  by  a  parsimonious  Church,  they,  by  and  by,  resist 
the  gradually  enfeebled  call  which  once  had  stirred  their  souls,  and  fail  to  enter 
the  ministry  at  all.  And  as  to  bursaries  or  scholarships  to  be  contended  for  as 
the  reward  of  talent,  these  do  not  exist  to  any  extent;  and  if  they  did,  they  would 
necessarily  be  open  to  all  students,  religious  and  irreligious,  and  to  those  seeking 
the  several  professions  alike.  By  means  of  such  a  plan,  therefore,  if  brought  into 
being,  we  might  secure  a  talented  ministry,  but  it  would  be  an  insignificantly 
small  one.  And  besides,  God,  under  no  dispensation,  has  called  only  those  of  high 
intellecti;al  gifts  — men  of  commanding  genius— to  the.  ministry;  while  yet  there 
has  been  a  place  for  every  one  who  was  divinely  called  where  he  might  be  useful, 
whether  great  or  small  in  the  order  of  his  native  abilities.  To  the  reply,  however, 
that  the  scholarships  in  question  might  easily  be  increased  in  number  by  the  use 
of  those  moneys  which  are  now  expended  in  beneficiary  education,  and  might  also 
be  confined  in  their  destination  to  candidates  for  the  ministry— the  obvious  and 
crushing  rejoinder  is,  that  thus  there  would  be  lodged  in  the  very  bosom  of  the 
Church  a  source  of  evil,  from  whose  baleful  presence  must  necessarily  issue  ambi- 
tions, envies,  jealousies,  to  poison  the  fountain  of  ministerial  character  and  jeopard 
the  dearest  interests  of  Zion.  For,  in  the  emulation  of  an  excited  contest  for  pre- 
cedence, the  contesting  candidates  would  experience  every  influence  which  fosters 
pride ;  and,  after  a  generation  or  two,  the  fatal  effects  would  be  witnessed  in  the 
disf)rders  of  a  torn  (Church,  where  the  humanity  of  John  has  given  place  to  the 
vain  glory  of  Diotrcjihcs. 

Still  other  objections  to  the  present  scheme  of  beneficiary  education  exist,  and 
are  urged.  But  it  would  not  be  possible  to  discuss  them  all  in  a  document  like  this, 
which  can  serve  only  as  an  introduction  into  a  field  which  is  capable  of  the  widest 
exploration.     But  we  l)elieve,   that  however  far  such  exi)loration  might  be  con- 


Sec.  340.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  187 

ducted,  at  each  successive  step  friends  of  tlie  existing  jilan  would  find  new  cause 
for  admiring  the  wisdom  which  devised  it,  for  applying  themselves  to  the  effort  to 
perfect  it,  and  (whik'  praising  the  Head  of  the  Church  for  the  emiuency  of  its  past 
success)  for  exerting  every  appliance  of  spiritual  foresight  to  expand  its  useful- 
ness. 

We  can  see,  then,  no  cause  for  alarm  in  the  j^roper  administration  of  this  scheme, 
in  any  evil  influence  it  may  exert  upon  the  beneficiary,  provided  care  be  taken  to 
instruct  him  in  his  true  position  as  such ;  nor  in  any  wrong  it  can  do  the  Church, 
provided  care  be  taken  to  place  her  npon  the  true  ground  of  unencumbered  and 
absolute  duty  in  tlu;  premises. 

Without  opening,  therefore,  any  other  door  through  which  to  enter  upon  views 
of  this  subject  that  may  serve  to  exhaust  it,  without  attempting  an  argument  with 
reference  to  the  extent  of  mental  and  morjd  training  that  ought  to  lie  insisted  on 
in  every  case,  or  an  argument  in  favor  of  adopting  some  new  plan  for  multii)lying 
the  number  of  ministers  beyond  any  jDast  experience  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
or  without  engaging  in  any  historical  investigation  touching  the  ab^ises  into  which 
the  existing  scheme  of  ministerial  education  is  likely  to  launch,  even  without  sug- 
gestions of  certain  manifest  improvements  in  this  scheme,  the  details  of  whose  man- 
agement hail  better  be  left  ti>  the  future  action  of  the  committee  and  the  Assembly, 
we  clos(!  by  recomiuendiug  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  General  Assembly,  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Church  to  pray  unceasingly  to  her  Head  for  a  large  increase  of  candidates  for 
the  gospel  ministry;  and  when  they  arc  received  at  his  hands  it  is  her  further 
diUy  to  provide  them  with  a  suitable  education  in  the  way  of  preparing  them  for 
their  work,  and  to  provide  it,  rH>t  m  a  matter  of  charity,  hat  of  justice  to  all  the  par- 
ties concerned. 

Resolred,  2,  That  this  Assembly  can  discover  no  sufficient  reason  for  superseding 
at  this  time  the  organization  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Education. 

1865,  p.  364.  Tlie  report  of  tlie  Committee  on  Beneficiary  Educa- 
tion was  heard,  accepted,  discussed,  and  recommitted  to  the  committee 
t(j  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

1866,  i^.  11.  This  committee  submitted  a  I'eport  accompanied  with  cer- 
tain resohiticms.  The  report  was  approved  and  ordered  to  be  printed  in 
the  Appendix.  The  resohitions  were  referred  to  the  Standing-  Com- 
mittee on  Education  (p.  2:J).  They  were  reported  back,  as  a  minority- 
report,  substituted  for  the  majority  report,  adopted  seriatim,  and  then 
as  a  whole.  The  report  is  found  on  p.  72,  the  resolutions  on  p.  34, 
and  are  as  follows : 

Srt  many  of  the  original  committee,  and  of  those  who  were  in  18H-i  added  to  its 
number,  as  were  in  attendance  at  the  Assembly  of  18(i5  jn-esented,  through  one  of 
its  members,  a  report  under  this  resolution.  This  document  presented  arguments 
which  were  intended  to  display  the  wisdom  of  taking  the  direct  educational  control 
of  beneficiaries  out  of  the  liauds  of  the  Assembly,  and  placing  it  in  those  of  the 
Presbyteries.  It  was  discussed  at  some  length  and  recommitted,  with  instructions 
to  the  committee  to  re])ort  again  to  the  Assc  mbly  of  1HVA\.  We  deem  it  proper  to 
state  that  the  author  of  the  referred  paper  was  the  Kev.  John  Miller,  wlio  has  long 
been  the  able  advocate  ^ti  its  peculiar  views.  And  we  take  the  present  opi)ortunity 
to  make  honorable  mention  of  his  name  in  this  connection;  the  more  especially  be- 
cause apparent  injustice  was  done  him  in  the  report  of  18(54,  inasmuch  as  in  the 
body  of  that  document  no  notice  was  taken  of  the  fact  of  his  dissent  from  its  views 
and  conclusions,  although  the  Assembly  was  otherwise  infcumed  of  it.  We  also 
take  this  occasion  to  say  that  Mr.  ^liller  is  believed  to  dissent  from  this  report  as 
he  did  from  that.  All  the  other  numbers  do,  however,  (so  far  as  their  views  have 
been  ascertained  by  correspondence  with  the  <-hairman)  agree  to  submit  what  fol- 
lows as  embodying  their  convictions  touching  tbe  important  subject  \vi'  were  re- 
quired to  reconsider. 

One  Assembly,  that  of  18(!4.  having  already  declared  its  purpose  to  adhere,  first, 
to  the  principle  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  provide  a  suitable  education  for 
its  ministerial  candidates  "as  a  matter  of  justice  to  all  the  parties  concerned  " ;  and 
second,  to  the  policy  of  continuing  fiu  the  present  the  organization  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Education,  but  having,  at  the  same  tinu>  that  it  announced  this 
purpose,  thrown  some  doubt  over  the  jjropriety  of  perpetuating  this  agency  of  the 


188  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book.  IV. 

Church  by  assigning  to  us  the  duty  of  inquiring  whether  it  might  not  be  set  aside 
for  the  adoi^tiou  of  some  better  plan ;  and  another  Assembly,  that  of  1865,  having 
declared  its  unwillingness,  without  further  investigation,  to  adopt  a  report  which 
decided  in  favor  of  a  Presbyterial  scheme  in  XDreference  to  the  present  one,  the 
committee  has  now  to  inquire  if  there  be  any  mode  for  securing  the  great  end  in 
view  that  is  likely  to  prove  sui^erior  to  that  now  existing. 

It  will  be  seen  at  on -e  that  this  inquiry  might  extend  to  a  prolonged  and  various 
discussion  of  all  the  projects  which  have  found  favor  in  the  Church,  and  have  been 
proposed  by  thinking  minds  as  siibstitutes  for  that  scheme  which  is  embraced  in 
the  constitution  of  the  Assembly's  Executive  Committee,  and  which  has  been  so 
long  in  use.  Some  have  supjDosed  that,  for  many  reasons,  ministerial  candidates 
ought,  as  a  general  rule,  to  be  left  entirely  to  themselves  in  procuring,  out  of  their 
own  unaided  resources,  the  education  which  is  to  tit  them  for  the  sacred  office. 
The  principal  arguments  in  sujaport  of  this  view  are  two :  1,  The  Church  will  be 
likely  to  secure  a  ministry  from  the  better  classes  of  society,  when  every  candidate 
is  relieved  from  the  temptation  of  a  bribe  to  mere  mercenary  feelings,  and  is  made 
to  understand  that  the  office  he  is  seeking  is  a  prize  whose  obtainment  is  worthy 
of  all  the  sacritices  he  can  make  to  secure  it,  just  as  in  the  case  of  any  of  the  other 
learned  j^rofessions ;  and  2,  That  setting  this  consideration  aside,  tlae  self-reliant 
candidate  is  apt,  on  the  independent  jDlau,  to  approve  himself  as  possessing  those 
more  manly  qualifications  of  character  which  do,  in  themselves,  reveal  a  peculiar 
fitness  for  iindertaking  ministerial  obligations.  This  latter  argiiment  involves  all 
those  considerations,  so  often  insisted  ujion,  which  bear  njion  the  point  that  ev^ry 
beneficiary  scheme  of  education  tells  injuriously  upon  the  self-resjject  of  its  objects 
by  ranking  them  among  the  children  of  charity,  and  thereby  imposing  iipou  their 
minds  a  sense  of  needless  degradation.  It  is  undeniable  that  the  views  thus  an- 
nounced carry  weight  mth  them,  and  cannot  be  lightly  set  aside.  But  they  have 
been  carefully  discussed  in  our  report  of  1864,  and  decided  by  the  Assemblj^  of  that 
year  to  be  destitute  of  substantial  force. 

Others,  again,  have  contended  for  the  founding  of  scholarships  in  different  liter- 
ary institutions,  or  in  the  theological  seminaries,  themselves,  and  holding  up  the 
income  from  these  as  an  attractive  prize  to  be  won  by  superior  intelligence  and  ca- 
pacity in  the  way  of  awards  of  merit ;  so  that,  whilst  the  candidate  shall  ambitiously 
contend  for  his  support  from  a  quarter  which  draws  forth  all  his  energies  as  a  stu- 
dent, the  Chi;rch  will  reap  the  benefits  of  his  mental  activity  in  his  demonstrated 
fitness  and  his  augmented  capacities  for  imdergoing  the  duties  of  the  ministry. 
This  branch  of  the  subject  has  also  been  considered  in  the  report  already  mentioned, 
and  the  mode  in  which  it  was  treated,  as  containing  an  unsound  i^rincii^le,  apjiroved 
by  the  Assembly. 

We  are  at  liberty,  therefore,  to  pass  by  any  further  discussion  of  the  fundamen- 
tal question,  whether  the  Church  does  not  owe  it  to  herself  to  provide  in  some  re- 
giilar  way,  and  to  her  candidates  to  provide  in  some  efficient  manner,  for  the  sup- 
port of  such  of  their  number  as  do  not  find  it  possible,  or  do  not  feel  it  right,  to 
provide  for  themselves.  The  deliverance  of  the  Church  is  sufficiently  clear  and, 
probably,  conclusive  upon  this  point. 

We  turn,  then,  to  the  question  as  it  remains  to  us,  narrowed  down  to  this  inquiry : 
Is  it  not  wiser  to  regard  the  Fresbytej'ies  as  the  exclusive  almoners  of  the  Church's 
bounty,  and,  for  the  purpose  of  allowing  them  the  utmost  freedom  of  action,  to  re- 
move all  the  machinery  which  a  great  central  agency  under  the  control  of  the  As- 
sembly involves  ?  » 

In  meeting  this  grave  inquiry  we  are  free  to  say  there  are  several  objections  that 
may  be  plausibly,  and  that  to  some  minds  are  conclusively,  urged  against  continu- 
ing the  Executive  Committee  of  Education.  The  princii^al  of  these  are :  1,  It  is 
attended  by  considerable  expense,  or  would  be,  if  in  active  existence  under  its 
proper  organization,  and  separated  from  the  Committee  of  Publication.  2,  That 
its  constitution  may  be  so  interpreted  and  applied  as  to  throw  the  solemn  resptmsi- 
bilities  involved  where  they  do  not  properly  belong,  viz.  :  upon  a  body  which  has 
no  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  and  power.  3,  That  it  is  lial)lc  to  have  its  confidence 
abused  by  the  intrusion  of  undeserving  candidates  upon  its  fiinds.  And  4,  That 
the  past  exjierience  of  the  Board  of  Education,  of  which  our  executive  committee 
is  a  partial  imitation,  seems  to  give  potency  to  these  and  other  objections,  so  much 
80  as  to  have  (rften  brought  it  into  reproach  with  great  and  good  men. 

So  far,  then,  as  these  things  are  concerned,  it  would  a])pear  to  be  wise  for  the 
Presbyteries  alone  to  decide  upon  the  qualification  of  candidates  \inder  a  sense  of 
undivided  and  directly  pressing  responsibility;  and,  without  the  interposition  of 
any  costly  or  exceptionable  agency,  themselves  to  collect  and  disburse  money  for 


Sec.  340.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  189 

the  support  each  of  its  own  chosen  candidates,  in  whatever  waj's  they  maj'  severally 
elect.  In  the  opinion  of  many  persons  whose  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
welfare  of  the  Church  cannot  be  questioned,  this  plan  of  exclusive  Presbyterial  con- 
trol over  the  whole  subject  of  education  is  not  only  regarded  as  being  in  its  theory 
most  nearly  in  accordance  with  the  whole  requirements  of  the  problem  to  be 
solved,  but  that  it  would  be  found  the  most  efficient  in  actual  practice,  in  every 
way  conducing  to  relieve  the  entire  interests  involved  from  all  needless  embarrass- 
ment. Without,  however,  discussing  the  (juestion  as  if  it  were  now  new,  but  re- 
garding it  as  an  old  issue  which  has  elicited  the  attention  and  brought  out  the  talent 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country  from  the  tirst  year  of  its  existence,  our 
purpose  shall  be  to  present  merely  a  brief  historical  view  of  the  subject  as  one 
which  will  best  serve  to  set  forth  the  true  grovmd  upon  whose  solid  strength  the 
Assembly  ought  to  rest  this  matter. 

It  is  undeniable  that  our  Church  has  from  the  beginning,  and  always,  felt  the 
force  of  many  of  those  objections  which  theory  at  first,  and  observation  afterwards, 
have  contributed  to  bring  against  the  employment  of  a  central  board  or  committee 
which  should  represent  the  whole  Church  in  the  management  of  its  educational  in- 
terests. At  the  opening  of  our  ecclesiastical  history  in  America  no  plan  was  thought 
of  but  that  of  separate  and  independent  Presbyterial  action  in  the  premises.  To 
go  no  further  back  than  the  year  1805,  when  more  general  attention  began  to  be 
called  to  the  necessities  of  this  subject,  the  notice  of  the  General  Assembly  was 
arrested  by  the  presentation  of  an  overtiire  from  the  venerable  Dr.  Ashbel  Green, 
in  which  he  urged  that  body,  to  use  his  own  language,  ' '  to  recommend  earnestlj'' 
to  the  Presbj'teries"  the  proprietj'  of  their  '  'looking  out  among  themselves  pious  youth 
of  promising  talents,  and  endeavor  to  educate  and  bring  them  forward  into  the  minis- 
try. Such  exertions, "  he  goes  on  to  argue  in  the  true  spirit  of  those  who  now  advocate 
this  ijlan,  "are  likely  to  be  made  with,  greater  ease,  cheerfulness,  and  spirit,  by 
each  Presbytery  within  its  own  bounds,  and  in  behalf  of  young  men  selected  by  its 
own  acts,  than  if  the  proposition  were  that  each  Presbytery  should  contribute  some- 
thing to  a  general  fund,  and  for  the  geneird  purpose  of  educating  candidates  for  the 
gospel  ministry.  The  youths  selected,  living  commonly  within  the  bounds  of  each 
Presbytery  concerned,  will  be  well  known  to  a  number  of  the  members ;  will  have 
their  character's  favorably  represented  even  to  many  of  the  individuals  of  the  several 
congi'egations,  and  will  usually  have  some  particiilar  friends  who  ■will  afford  special 
aid  in  defraying  the  expenses  which  may  be  incurred  in  the  prosecution  of  their 
studies."  These  and  kindred  arguments  in  favor  of  i)urely  Presbyterial  action  met 
with  extreme  sympathy  in  the  Assembly  of  that  year,  and  present,  with  sufficient 
clearness,  some  of  the  determining  views  of  those  who  at  this  day  defend  that  plan. 
The  importance  i)f  the  subject,  however,  induced  that  body  to  let  it  lie  over  for 
maturer  consideration,  until  the  meeting  of  its  immediate  successor,  to  which  it 
was  strongly  recommended  as  of  great  practical  interest,  and  ordered  ' '  that  the 
Presbyteries  instruct  their  commissioners  respecting  the  measures  which  they  may 
think  advisable  to  be  adopted,"  in  order  to  give  the  whole  matter  the  form  of  a 
working  scheme.  Accordingly,  in  1806,  the  commissioners  from  each  of  the  Pres- 
byteries, having  been  called  upon  to  state  the  opinion  entertained  by  their  respec- 
tive constituencies  on  this  subject,  it  appeared  that  the  overture  had  been  seriously 
considered  by  most  of  them ;  that  some  had  been  long  in  the  habit  of  employing 
the  measures  contemiilated  in  the  overture,  and  that  others  had  adopted  and  or- 
ganized such  measures  within  the  year,  in  consequence  of  the  recommendation  of 
the  Assembly.  Then,  after  anxious  deliberaticm,  the  Assembly  resolved  to  end  the 
matter  by  urging  every  Presbytery  "to  make  vigorous  exertions  to  raise  funds  for 
assisting  all  the  youth  within  their  respective  l)ounds  who  might  need  aid;  to  choose 
for  them  such  schools,  seminaries,  and  teachers  as  thvy  may  judge  most  proper  and 
advantageous,  and  generally  to  inspect  their  education  during  the  course  of  both 
their  academical  and  collegiate  studies. 

Thus  did  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  that  early  day,  solemnly  sanction  the  Pres- 
byterial plan  of  ministerial  education,  as  being  the  nearest  to  the  true  theory  of  its 
organization,  and  as  meeting,  in  the  best  manner,  the  demands  of  the  case.  But, 
after  several  years  of  faithful  experiment  in  this  direction,  it  was  found  that,  whilst 
this  obvious  plan  had  accomplished  much  good,  it  nevertheless  altogether  failed  to 
develop,  with  any  completeness,  the  resources  of  the  Church,  or  bring  into  action 
its  whole  energies  in  the  supply  of  a  ministry  that  was  adequate  to  the  growiug  de- 
mand. Hence,  an  atteuq)t  was  made,  in  the  year  1817,  to  obviate  some  of  the  de- 
fects of  the  original  plan,  by  a  resolution  of  the  Assembly  reconnuending  "  to  those 
Presbyteries  which  have  funds  for  the  education  of  beneficiaries,  or  which  are  able 
to  raise  funds  for  this  puri^ose,  but  can  find  no  suitable  young  men  for  education 


190  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

■within  tlieir  own  bounds,  to  take  measures  to  obtain  candidates  from  the  bounds  of 
other  Presbyteries,  and  educate  them  for  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  or  that  they 
annuallj'  transmit  money  for  this  object  to  the  General  Assembly,  that  the  Assem- 
bly may  appropriate  it  to  the  end  for  which  it  was  raised  ;  or  that  they  forward  it 
to  one  of  the  theological  seminaries  within  our  boi;nds,  to  be  applied  by  the  jDrofes- 
sors  to  the  education  of  indigent  young  men  in  said  seminaries;  and  that  the  stated 
clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  be  the  organ  of  communication  between  such  Pres- 
byteries as  have  money  to  be  applied  to  the  above  purpose,  and  those  Presbyteries 
which  may  have  imder  their  care  young  men  who  need  their  liberality."  But  the 
inadequacy  of  even  this  attempt  at  remedy  soon  became  apparent,  and  broiight  out 
propositions  for  still  better  plans.  In  consequence,  there  were  three  great  organi- 
zations soon  and  simultaneously  brought  into  being;  two  in  the  shape  of  educa- 
tional societies  composed  of  Presbyterian  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  one  located  in 
New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  the  other  near  by,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The 
third  was  the  Board  of  Education.  Finally,  in  1820,  every  other  scheme  was 
merged  in  the  latter,  and  this  board  was  elevated  to  the  place  of  the  exclusive  or- 
gan of  the  Church  iu  the  matter  of  furthering  its  whole*  jslau  of  beneliciary  educa- 
tion with  respect  to  ministerial  candidates.  This  board  did  not,  indeed,  at  once 
assume  the  shape  into  which  it  is  now  moulded ;  biit  after  the  trial  of  a  great  va- 
riety of  modifications,  all  which  were  designed  to  leave  to  the  Presbyteries  the 
chief  agency  in  the  selection  and  the  education  of  candidates,  it  gradually  settled 
down  upon  its  present  foundation  of  apparent  permanency.  After  this  board  our 
Southern  Church  has  copied  the  leading  features  of  that  plan,  which  api^ears  to 
have  been  the  offspring  of  the  practical  wisdom  of  several  generations  of  earnest 
thinkers  and  godly  workers  ;  and  the  question  now  for  our  Church  to  decide  is 
whether  it  ought  to  go  back  to  the  original  and  failing  scheme  of  Presbyterial 
agency  for  prosecuting  the  work  in  question,  or  to  any  of  those  moditications  which 
proved  alike  unsatisfactory,  and  out  of  which  the  existing  one  has  grown  as  if  by 
an  uncontrollable  necessity  ;  or  whether  it  is  not  best  to  acknowledge  at  once  the 
impolicy  of  so  doing,  on  the  simple  ground  that,  be  our  the(jries  of  Church  order  in 
view  of  this  whole  subject  what  they  may,  experience  must  show  that,  at  last,  we 
too  would  be  compelled  to  adojjt  the  same  conclusion  which  our  fathers  in  the 
Church  so  painfully  reached,  viz. :  that  a  central  board  or  executive  committee  is 
alone  competent  to  manage,  under  the  direct  control  of  the  Assembly,  the  practical 
details  of  that  great  scheme  of  education  which  is  designed  for  the  benetit  of  the 
Church  as  a  united  and  harmonious  whole.  No  human  policy  is  free  from  objec- 
tions, and  we  seem  to  be  shut  up  to  the  adoption  of  that  which,  in  the  matter  be- 
fore us,  actual  experiment  has  demonstrated  to  possess  the  fewest  and  least  damag- 
ing, all  things  considered. 

This  conclusion,  drawn  from  the  historical  argument  we  have  presented,  might, 
or  might  not,  be  sustained  by  other  argiiments  equally  potent,  were  we  to  go  over 
the  whole  ground  and  consider  the  subject  of  beneficiary  ministerial  ediication  as 
an  entirely  novel  one.  But  it  has  been  again  .and  again  presented  to  the  Christian 
mind  in  every  possible  shape  which  its  great  and  jjressing  practical  interest  could 
have  imparted  to  its  consideration ;  and  whilst  almost  all  persons  who  are  friendly 
to  such  an  education  in  anj'  form  would  perhaps  like  to  see  in  operation  a  scheme 
for  its  promotion  which  should  throw  the  great  responsibility  iu  the  premises  upon 
the  Presbyteries,  yet  probably  none  can  show  how  this  can  be  satisfactorily  done  in 
any  other  way  than  that  which  the  whole  spirit  of  the  central  agency  scheme  pre- 
sents. To  the  Presb_>'teries  must  always  belong  the  great,  the  solemn,  the  binding 
duty  of  recommending  candidates  for  support  from  the  common  treasury  of  the 
Church.  If  they  fail  in  this  duty;  if  they  are  loose  in  its  discharge;  if  they  thrust 
forward  beneficiaries  who  are  undeserving  of  an  education  at  the  hands  of  the 
Church ;  with  them  alone  lies  the  blame,  as  to  them,  on  the  other  hand,  belongs 
the  Master's  commendation  for  searching  out  and  bringing  forward  worthy  men  for 
this  purpose,  The  chief  responsibility  of  the  committee  must  attach  to  its  one 
gi-eat  office  of  judiciously  expending  the  educational  funds  of  the  Church,  and  to 
its  duty  of  keeping  the  Presbyteries  advised  of  the  condition  of  the  work  it  is  pros- 
ecuting for  them.  If,  therefore,  the  scheme  be  only  well  worked  by  all  the  parties 
involved,  there  can  be  no  complaint  lodged  against  it  on  the  st^oro  of  its  enii^loying 
a  central  agency  to  do  for  the  Assembly  what,  in  the  nature  of  the  case,  the  Assem- 
bly cannot  well  do  exc^ept  by  a  standing  authorized  commission.  Were,  indeed,  our 
coiintry  more  (iompact  than  it  is  ;  were  all  its  scattered  Presbyteries  equally  fur- 
nished with  wealth ;  were  the  candidates  likelj'  to  be  uniformly  distributed  through- 
out our  bounds  so  as  to  give  to  each  Presbytery  a  share  in  supporting  them  pio])or- 
tioned  to  its  pecuniary  means;  and  were  it  certain  that  they  all  would  prosecute  the 


Sec.  340.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  191 

required  work  with  an  energy  that  would  demand  the  addition  of  more  of  the  stimu- 
lus which  is  confessedly  derived  from  the  properly  administered  influence  of  an 
Assembly's  committee  whose  eye  is  upon  the  whole  field  as  the  eye  of  the  Church  it 
represents,  and  whose  hand,  being  that  of  the  Church's  authority  thus  conveniently 
exhibited,  is  ready  to  push  forward  the  lagging  wherever  this  is  needed — or,  were 
vee  to  leave  out  altogether  the  grand  thought  that  the  Church  is  one ;  that  its  visible 
unity  is  embodied  in  the  Assembly  where  all  its  Presbyteries  coalesce  and  combine ; 
and  that,  therefore,  its  ministerial  candidates  ought  to  be  all  gathered  under  the 
wing  of  its  indivisible  resijonsibility,  just  as  all  its  other  common  interests  are,—  then 
there  might  be  room  for  the  inauguration  of  some  plan  of  beneti(dary  education,  in 
carrying  forward  which  the.  Assembly  should  not  be  the  principal  party  concerned. 
As  it  is,  however,  your  committee  can  comt;  to  no  other  conclusion,  all  things  being 
taken  into  the  ac(u)unt,  than  that  which  imjiels  us  to  recommend  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolutions,  in  which  such  a  modification  of  the  present  constitution 
of  the  executive  committee  will  be  seen  to  be  presented  as  is  designed  to  carry  into 
more  complete  effect  the  conclusions  of  the  report. 

Jiesolved,  1,  That  this  General  Assembly  re-affirms  the  deliverance 
of  the  Assembly  of  1864  concei'ning  the  responsibility  that  rests  on  the 
Church  to  secure  and,  maintain  a  pious  and  learned  ministiy. 

liesolved,  2,  That  this  General  Assembly  resolves  to  continue  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Education,  and  appoints  for  it  the  following 
constitution : 

Article  I. 
The  title  of  this  committee  shall  be  "  The  Executive  Committee  of 
Education  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States." 

Article  II. 
The  executive  committee  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  General 
Assembly,  and  shall  consist  of  eleven  members,  thi'ee  at  least  of  whom 
must  be  ruling  elders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  a  treasurer,  and 
of  a  secretary,  who  shall  be  styled  the  "  Secretaiy  of  Education,"  which 
secretary  shaU  be  the  organ  of  communication  between  the  General 
Assembly  and  the  executive  committee.  The  salaries  and  duties  of 
these  officers  shall  be  determined  by  the  committee ;  and  all  vacancies, 
ad  interiin,  in  the  committee,  it  may  fiU. 

Article  III. 
This  committee  sbaU  meet  at  the  call  of  the  secretaiy,  and  five  mem- 
bers shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  It  shall  keej) 
a  record  of  its  proceedings,  which,  together  with  the  reports  of  the 
secretaiy  and  treasurer,  shall  be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly  an- 
nually. 

Article  IV. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  receive  all  the  contributions 
of  the  Church  which  may  be  made  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  candidates 
for  the  ministiy  in  the  prosecution  of  their  studies,  and  to  dispense 
these  to  said  students ;  but  no  student  shall  be  supported  by  this  com- 
mittee, except  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Presb^iiery  to  which  he 
belongs,  or  its  Executive  Committee  oi  Education.  And  all  candidates 
shall  be  solely  responsible  to  their  own  Presbyteries. 

If  at  any  time  the  funds  intrusted  to  the  committee  shaU  be  insuffi- 
cient for  the  support  of  all  the  candidates  recommended,  preference 
shall  be  given  to  such  candidates  as  are  nearest  to  the  close  of  their 
course  of  studies. 


192  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Article  V. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  place  itself  in  correspon- 
dence w4th  the  Executive  Committees  of  Education  appointed  by  the 
several  Presbyteries,  the  chairman  of  each  of  which  Presbyterial  com- 
mittees must  be  regarded  as  a  corresponding  member  of  this  commit- 
tee. And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to  procure  from  these 
corresponding  members  semi-annual  reports  with  respect  to  the  state 
of  the  work  within  their  respective  Presbj'teries,  and,  in  turn,  to  trans- 
mit to  these  members,  for  the  information  of  their  Presbyteries,  semi- 
annual statements  of  the  condition  of  the  whole  field. 

Article  VI. 

This  committee  shall,  for  the  present,  be  located  in  Eichmond,  Va. 

Hesolved,  3,  If  any  Presbytery  should  insist  upon  managing  the  funds 
collected  within  its  bounds,  as  well  as  all  other  jDarts  of  the  work  of 
education,  the  Assembly  vnll  not  enjoin  upon  such  Presbyteries  to  send 
all  the  moneys  raised  to  the  treasury  of  the  central  committee,  pro- 
vided that  a  collection  shall  be  taken  in  all  its  churches  for  the  work 
committed  to  the  committee :  and  also,  that  the  Presb^'tery  shall  report 
to  the  General  Assembly,  through  the  Committee  of  Education,  what 
amount  of  money  has  been  raised  and  exj^ended  within  its  own  bounds, 
so  that  the  General  Assembly  may  see  at  one  view  what  the  whole 
Chui'ch  has  done  in  this  great  work. 

As  explanatory  of  the  puriJort,  as  well  as  effect,  of  the  above  action,  we  quote  the 
following  from  the  executive  committee : 

1868,  p.  294.  The  committee  has  the  pleasure  of  reporting  to  the  Assembly 
that  several  of  our  Presbyteries,  which  have  heretofore  conductecVtheir  educational 
affairs  independently,  have  cordially  resolved  on  co-operating  with  the  Assembly's 
plan.  The  objections  which  they  had  to  the  scheme  of  the  Assembly  were  removed 
by  the  action  taken  at  Memphis  in  18G6,  according  to  which  the  whole  responsi- 
bility for  the  candidates  is  left  where  the  constitution  of  our  Church  places  it — in 
the  hands  of  the  Presbyteries.  The  committee  is  no  longer  esteemed  superior  to 
the  Presbyteries,  clothed  with  the  aiithority  to  revise  their  proceedings,  or  inquire 
into  the  propriety  thereof ;  but  is  simj^ly  the  executive  agency  through  which  the 
Presbyteries  perform  this  jjart  of  their  work.  Appointed  by  the  General  Assembly 
as  a  central  committee  for  the  whole  Church,  it  is  the  recipient  of  the  Church's 
bounty,  and  dispenses  it  wherever  needed,  thus  constituting  a  bond  of  concord  be- 
tween the  Presbyteries,  giving  unity  to  their  action  and  efficiency  to  their  efforts. 
There  are  but  few  of  the  Presbyteries,  so  far  as  the  committee  is  aware,  that  still 
stand  aloof  and  prefer  to  isolate  themselves  in  conducting  their  educational  affairs; 
and  it  is  believed  the  agreement  in  the  principles  on  which  this  committee  is  now 
organized  is  so  cordial  that  the  only  obstacle  to  the  unanimous  co-operation  of  all 
our  Presbyteries  is  their  distrust  of  the  ability  of  the  committee  to  meet  their 
wants. 

1871,  J).  57.  The  sphere  of  the  committee  is  limited.  So  far  as  the  students 
are  concerned,  its  relation  is  simply  financial;  and  so  far  as  the  General  Assembly, 
the  lower  courts,  and  the  churches  are  concerned,  its  relation  is  that  of  an  agency 
for  facilitating  their  work;  and  with  reference  to  all,  its  relation  is  titly  described 
as  an  executive  committee.  It  originates,  and  can  by  its  constitution  originate, 
nothing;  it  simply  executes  the  orders  of  the  Assembly  on  the  one  hand,  and  re- 
sponds to  the  wishes  and  facilitates  the  work  of  the  lower  courts  on  the  other  hand. 
It  is  made  its  im2:)erative  duty,  by  the  constitution  adopted  for  its  guidance,  to  keep 
the  Church  informed  of  its  wants  and  of  the  actual  state  of  the  work  intrusted  to 

341.  Discouraging  state  of  this  work  in  1866. 

1866,  p.  70.     Extract  from  report  of  the  executive  committee  : 

When  this  executive  committee  was  organized  last  January  the  sessions  of  all  our 
literary  institutions  were  far  advanced ;  and  as  no  candidate  can  be  received  as  a 


Secs.  342-344.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  193 

beneficiary  without  the  recommenclation  of  his  Presbytery,  nothing  could,  in  any 
event,  have  been  done  previous  to  the  spring  meetings  of  these  courts.  This  threw 
the  subject  beyond  our  reach  for  the  sessions  of  the  seminaries  then  current,  which 
immediately  thereafter  came  to  their  vacations,  and  of  the  colleges,  which  were  far 
advanced  in  their  last  term. 

This  fall  the  case  was  even  worse ;  for  the  fate  of  the  committee,  now  in  suspense 
for  two  years,  was  so  near  its  crisis  that  our  Presbjteries  and  candidates  would  be 
unwilling  to  hang  their  hopes  on  so  slender  a  cord,  and  the  committee  was  reluc- 
tant to  assume  future  obligations  which  it  might  not  be  permitted  to  live  long 
enough  to  fulfil.  The  consequence  was  that  nothing  could  be  done.  In  response 
to  all  applications,  answer  was  given  in  accordance  with  these  facts.  Students 
were  encouraged  to  believe,  however,  that  they  woiild  receive  such  aid  as  they 
might  require,  if  not  from  the  committee,  at  all  events  from  the  various  institutions 
to  which  they  might  resort.  The  consequence  was,  they  all  turned  away  from  the 
precarious  terms  offered  them  by  this  committee. 

Our  two  theological  seminaries,  in  the  absence  of  the  assured  help  formerly  de- 
rived from  the  central  committee,  have  originated  measiires  for  securing  aid  to 
their  own  students  by  independent  agencies.  So  far,  no  evil  is  seen  to  result  from 
this  temporary  expedient;  but  it  does  not  require  a  suiierior  sagacity,  in  view  of 
past  experience,  to  see  that  there  is  danger  of  this  system  resulting  in  rival  institu- 
tions presenting  themselves  before  the  Church  with  antagonistic  claims  for  popu- 
lar favor.  This  result  the  most  courageous  among  us  cannot  anticipate  without 
just  alarm.  So  that,  instead  of  one  central  agency  to  act  for  the  whole  Church  and 
harmonize  its  efforts,  we  are  threatened  with  the  naturalization  among  us  of  rival 
agencies  for  this  object. 

342.   Condition  of  the  committee  in  1867. 
1867,  p.  163.     Extract  from  the  executive  report : 

The  Executive  Committee  of  Education  is  again  called  upon  to  express  its  regret 
at  the  meagre  results  of  its  operations  dimng  another  year.  The  consequences  of 
the  tardy  and  hesitating  action  of  the  General  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  the  con- 
tinuance of  this  agenc}'  of  the  Church's  benevolence  was  exi^lained  in  our  last  re- 
port ;  and  now  we  have  to  record  the  adverse  effect  of  the  action  of  the  last  Assem- 
bly in  appointing  the  time  for  taking  up  the  annual  collection  for  this  object.  The 
continuance  of  this  committee  had  been  in  peril  for  two  j^ears,  and  then,  after  the 
Assembly  had,  by  a  decided  vote,  determined  on  its  continuance,  the  unfortun.ate 
action  was  taken  to  postpone  the  collection  for  this  committee's  uses  untU  Novem- 
ber, the  time  at  which  this  report  closes.  That  we  should  have  a  very  meagre  ac- 
count to  render,  under  such  circumstances,  was  a  foregone  conclusion 

Nearly  all  the  Presbyteries,  either  at  their  spring  or  fall  sessions,  took  action  on 
the  subject,  appointed  corresponding  members  of  this  committee,  and  exhorted  co- 
operation with  it  according  to  the  plan  of  the  Assembly. 

343.    Certain  questions  referred  back  to  the  executive  committee. 

1867,  p.  147.  The  Executive  Committee  of  Education  addresses  the 
Assembly  several  queries  asking  for  instruction.  This  committee  think 
such  matters  must  generally  be  decided  by  the  committee,  as  they  pos- 
sess all  the  facts  in  the  case,  biit  subject  to  the  review  of  the  Assembly. 

These  queries  are  on  p.  165,  and  are  as  follows:  1.  What  is  the  proper  course 
for  the  committee  to  adojit  when  Presbyteries  which  decline  to  contribute  to  the 
funds  of  the  committee,  but  keejj  their  own  treasuries  separate  and  attempt  the 
support  of  their  own  candidates,  have  called  on  the  committee  for  assistance  ?  2. 
Should  candidates,  in  any  circumstances,  be  allowed  to  give  their  notes  or  obliga- 
tions for  the  aid  they  receive  ?  3.  Is  the  committee  ever  to  make  appropriations 
to  cover  past  expenses  of  young  men  after  thej-  have  finished  their  course  ? 

344.  Mev.  Dr.  Hamner  as  travelling  agent. 
1869,  p.  410.     The  gratuitous  services  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Hamner,  D.  D.> 
were  secured  as  a  traveUing  agent  to  present  this  cause  and  its  ur- 
gency on  such  of  our  churches  as  he  might  be  able  to  reach.     Dr.  Ham- 
ner rendered  valuable  assistance  by  his  zeal  and  energy ;  and  the  fimds 
13 


194  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

of  the  committee  were  much  increased  as  the  result  of  his  self-deny- 
ing and  unrequited  services. 

1870,  p.  558.  The  suggestion  has  been  made  that  personal  appli- 
cation fi'om  the  secretary  of  Education,  or  from  some  one  immediately 
connected  with  this  work,  would  secure  larger  contributions.  This  pro- 
position would  lead  us  back  to  the  old  system  of  jDaid  agencies,  which 
it  is  not  believed  the  Chui'ch  would  ever  again  tolerate.  But,  never- 
theless, the  committee  has  had  the  very  best  opj)ortunity  of  testing  the 
utility  of  this  suggestion.  The  Eev.  Dr.  James  G.  Hamner  offered  his 
services  gTatuitously  as  a  traveUing  agent,  to  go  wherever  the  interests 
of  the  cause,  in  oiu'  judgment,  could  be  promoted  by  his  presence.  The 
offer  was  cordiaUj^  and  hopefully  accepted :  for,  though  we  knew  weU 
how  distasteful  to  the  Chui'ch  the  employment  of  paid  agents  was,  we 
thought  the  zeal  shown  by  this  venerable  minister  in  offering  his  ser- 
vices for  the  good  of  the  cause,  without  compensation,  would  challenge 
approbation.  In  this  particular  we  were  not  disappointed.  Dr.  Ham- 
ner was  gladly  welcomed  by  the  brethren  to  their  pulpits ;  but  they, 
with  few  exceptions,  required  that  the  collection  for  this  cause  should 
occiu"  on  the  day  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  desired  his 
presence  on  that  day.  Dr.  Hamner  persevered  for  several  months  in 
his  efforts  to  accomplish  something  for  the  cause,  but  finallj'-  gave  it  up 
as  a  waste  of  time,  so  far  as  this  interest  was  concerned.  No  moi-e  fav- 
orable trial  of  this  plan  could  possibly  have  been  given  it,  and  yet  it  did 
not  fulfil  our  expectations.  The  committee  has  no  disposition  to  try  it 
again,  but  believes  patient  perseverance  in  carrying  out  the  plans  de- 
vised by  the  Cluu'ch  for  s^'stematic  benevolence  will  ultimately  produce 
the  desired  results,  and  that  every  effort  by  all  the  courts  ought  to  be 
directed  toward  the  wise  and  efficient  administration  of  those  plans. 

345.  Moneys,  hoio  to  he  remitted  and  hno  reported. 

1872,  p.  170.  For  the  purpose  of  simplifying  the  business  of  the 
committee,  and  presenting  in  a  single  tabular  form  all  that  the  Church 
does  from  year  to  year,  it  is  recommended  that  all  the  funds  contri- 
buted to  this  object  be  forwarded  to  the  treasurer  of  the  executive 
committee,  and  reported  to  the  Presbyterial  committee. 

1885,  p.  416.  Your  committee  (auditing)  recommend  that  hereafter, 
should  moneys  be  rejDorted  to  the  treasurer  as  sent  direct  to  students, 
he  will  make  a  sej)arate  note  of  the  amoimts,  so  as  to  prevent  con- 
fusion. 

346.  Report  to  Presbytery  from  candidates. 

1873,  p.  331.  Presbyteries  are  urged  to  require  of  each  candidate  a 
semi-annual  report  to  Presb^-tei-y  of  aU  funds  received  by  him*from  the 
Assembly's  committee,  or  from  church  collections,  and  to  be  fully  in- 
formed as  to  the  character,  dihgence  and  proficiency  of  all  candidates 
for  the  gospel  ministry  under  their  care. 

1874,  p.  514.  This  action  was  enlarged  by  adding  a  request  that  the 
professors  of  the  institutions  in  which  the  candidates  are  pursuing  their 
studies  should  send  the  Presbjteries  sessional  reports  of  their  charac- 
ter, diligence  and  proficiency  in  their  studies. 

1881,  p.  384.  The  Assembly  recommends :  That  the  Presbyteries  be 
very  thorough  in  their  examination  of  candidates  as  to  personal  piety 


Sec.  347.] 


The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  195 


and  views  in  seeking  the  ministry',  and  request  the  faculty  of  the  insti- 
tution which  their  candidates  are  attending  to  send  to  the  Presbyterial 
chairmen  of  Education  monthly  statements  of  their  deportment,  and 
of  their  standing  in  their  studies. 

347.   Location  of  the  executive  committee  changed. 

18G7,  p.  135.  An  overture  from  the  Presb}-ter}'  of  Memphis,  to  have 
the  Committee  of  Education  again  lucated  at  the  city  of  Memphis. 

liesolved,  That  the  Assembly  cannot  approve  of  the  change  desired. 
Adopted. 

P.  147.  The  Assembly  pro^'ided  that,  in  case  the  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication shovdd  be  removed  to  Baltimore,  the  Committee  of  Education 
should  be  hkewdse  removed,  and  apjDointed  a  provisional  executive  com- 
mittee in  Baltimore  to  serve  in  that  contingency. 

1870,  p.  534.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Noi-th  Mississippi 
relative  to  the  separation  of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Pubhcation 
and  Education,  and  the  removal  of  the  Education  Committee  to  another 
j)oint  than  Eichmond,  which  overture  was  referred  to  the  Standing 
Committees  on  Publication  and  Education.  The  Standing  Committee 
on  Publication  beheve  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  make  any  change  in 
these  committees.     Adopted. 

1870,  p.  535.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Education,  to  whom  were 
referred  the  two  overtures — one  from  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis, 
*'  touching  the  propriety  of  the  division  of  the  Committees  of  Educa- 
tion and  Publication,  and  whether  it  would  not  be  for  the  interest  of 
the  Church  to  estabhsh  the  C\)mmittee  of  Education  at  Memphis,  or 
some  other  convenient  point  in  the  Southwest ; "'  the  other  from  North 
Mississippi  Presbytery,  touching  the  same  subject,  and  making  the 
same  request  as  to  the  establishment  of  the  Committee  of  Education 
at  ^Memphis — would  recommend  the  folloAving  answer  on  the  part  of 
this  Assembly  to  both  these  overtures,  so  far  as  the  location,  etc.,  of  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Education  is  concerned,  to- wit :  That  the  pre- 
sent condition  and  promising  prospects  of  this  great  and  vital  interest 
attest  the  blessing  of  God,  and  the  industiy,  capacity,  and  fidelity  of 
our  executive  committee :  that  the  circumstances  and  exigencies  of  our 
Chin'ch  demand  and  reciuire  the  utmost  economy  in  the  collection  and 
disbursement  of  her  alms  and  offerings :  that  there  seems  to  be  no  im- 
perative or  general  call  for  such  change,  and  therefore  it  is  at  present 
inexpedient  to  make  the  change  proposed  in  the  above  overtures. 

1874,  p.  515.  liesolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Educa- 
tion shall  be  located  at  some  central  point  in  the  gi'eat  western  field, 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary,  in  addition  to  visiting  the 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds,  to  act  as  a 
medium  of  communication  between  our  candidates  and  the  Presbyte- 
ries, for  the  pvu-jiose  of  securing  prompt  and  remunerative  emplopnent 
for  our  candidates  duiing  their  vacatit>ns.  ]\Iemphis  was  chosen  as 
such  point. 

1879,  p.  37.  Overture  asking  the  removal  of  the  office  from  Mem- 
phis to  some  city  where  its  business  will  not  be  hable  to  inteniiption 
from  fretiuent  epidemics.     The  Assembly  declined  to  make  any  change. 

In  1880,  p.  211,  the  Assembly  declined  to  remove  the  committee 
from  Memphis  to  Nashville. 


196  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

348.   The  Assembly  declines  to  enlarge  the  powers  of  the  executive 

committee. 

1875,  p.  61.  The  committee,  which  is  now  simply  a  disbursing 
agency,  and  therefore  powerless  to  guard  against  the  appropriation  of 
funds  to  rmworthy  recipients,  invites  the  Assembly  to  inquire  as  to  the 
possibihty  of  enlarging  the  powers  of  the  executive  committee,  so  as  to 
make  them  joint  super \'isors  with  the  Presbyteries  of  the  young  men 
who  are  assisted  by  the  funds  of  the  Chui'ch.  The  committee  suggest 
that  they  be  authorized  to  require  quarterly  reports  of  the  standing, 
diligence,  and  piety  of  each  beneficiary.  (This  request  was  not  acted 
on  by  the  Assembly.) 

349.    Care  to  he  exei'cised  in  receiving  caiididates. 

1876,  p.  230.  In  order  to  secm-e  a  class  of  candidates  for  the  minis- 
tiy  which  shall  more  fully  meet  the  requirements  of  the  sacred  office 
which  they  profess  to  seek — 

Mesolved,  1,  That  this  General  Assembly  enjoins  it  upon  the  Pres- 
byteries more  carefully  to  investigate  the  antecedents,  and  inquire  into 
the  character  of  the  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

2.  That  the  Presbyteries  be  advised,  as  a  general  rule,  to  receive 
under  their  care  no  candidate  for  the  ministry  at  the  same  meeting 
when  the  apphcation  is  made. 

350.  Maxim^um  appropriation  for  each  stude7it. 

1871,  p.  25.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed 
to  adhere  to  the  principle  of  aid  in  the  contributions  they  make  for 
the  support  of  students ;  and  that  the  maximum  of  said  contributions, 
except  in  special  cases,  be  $200  to  students  in  theological  seminaries, 
and  $175  to  students  in  colleges. 

Hitherto  the  maximum  had  beeu  $250.  (See  1870,  p.  559,  aud  1871,  p.  59, 
for  reasons  for  reduction.)  The  Presb}i;ery  of  Montgomery  asked,  in  1872,  p.  159, 
that  college  students  might  receive  $2(J0  per  year,  instead  of  $175.  The  Assembly 
did  not  think  it  prudent  to  change  the  rule.  In  1877  the  executive  committee  re- 
ported that  it  had  been  compelled  to  reduce  the  ordinary  api^ropriations  from  $200 
and  $175  to  $175  and  $150  respectively  (p.  473). 

The  executive  committee  rei^orted,  in  1879,  p.  74,  that  in  carrying  out  the  in- 
structions of  the  Assembly  of  1878,  to  so  regulate  its  pledges  and  expenditures  for 
the  ensuing  year  as  to  secure  by  the  end  thereof  a  cash-working  balance  such 
as  to  enable  it,  along  with  the  annual  collections,  to  make  positive  pledges  to  the  can- 
didates in  the  future,  they  had  proceeded  at  once  to  regulate  the  appropriations  by 
diminishing  each  of  them  as  much  as  $50.  Appropriations  to  seminary  students 
were  reduced  from  $175  to  $125,  and  those  to  college  students  from  $150  to  $100 
each;  and  these  pledges  were  made  absolutely  and  unconditionally. 

The  committee,  however,  further  resolved  that  whatever  amount  should  be  found 
in  the  treasury  after  paying  its  positive  pledges  should  be  distributed  'pro  rata 
among  all  the  candidates  under  the  care  of  the  committee.  In  1881-'82  the  com- 
mittee were  able  to  pay  $1,332  to  the  students  in  excess  of  the  amounts  promised. 

1882,  p.  556.  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  importance  of  an  in- 
crease of  candidates,  this  Assembly  authorizes  its  Executive  Committee 
of  Education  to  pledge  to  its  candidates,  in  both  the  college  and  semi- 
nary coui'ses,  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($150),  and  to  those  in  a 
preparatory  coui'se  fifty  dollars ;  but  in  view  of  these  enlarged  appro- 
priations Presbyteries  are  urged  to  use  great  caution  in  receiving  can- 
didates under  their  care. 

For  the  year  1886-'87  only  $100  were  paid  to  college  and  seminary  students,  and 
$25  to  sub-collegians. 


Secs.  351-353.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  197 

351.   Only  the  candidates  of  co-operating  Presbyteries  to  be  aided. 

18G9,  p.  388.  Those  Presb^ieiies  which  have  acted  independently 
are  requested  to  co-operate  with  the  executive  committee ;  and  it  is  re- 
commended to  that  committee  to  withhold  their  aid  from  Presbyteries 
which  neglect  to  do  so,  until  those  Presbyteries  which  act  in  union  with 
them  have  their  wants  supplied. 

Under  the  discretion  given  the  committee  by  the  Assembly  of  1867,  aid  had  been 
up  to  this  time  extended  to  those  Presljyteries  which  did  not  co-operate  in  raising 
funds.  But  the  claims  upon  the  committee  having  so  increased,  and  the  necessity 
of  system  become  so  pressing,  they  asked  that  the  above  restriction  be  made. — A. 

352.    The  advancement  required  in  order  to  receive  aid. 

1870,  p.  520.  Your  committee  recommend  to  the  Assembly  to  ap- 
prove the  rule  adopted  by  the  executive  committee  as  to  making  the 
appropriations  prospective,  and  that  they  be  not  bestowed  until  the  ap- 
plicant has  made  some  trial  of  his  talents  and  gifts,  etc.,  by  having 
prosecuted  'his  studies  to  about  what  is  usually  called  the  freshman 
class.     Adopted. 

1873,  p.  310.  Overture  from  Winchester  Presbytery,  that  the  com- 
mittee limit  its  appropriations  to  such  candidates  as  are  sufficiently  ad- 
vanced in  their  studies  to  enter  the  junior  class  of  our  colleges.  Not 
gi'anted. 

1879,  p.  37.  Overture  to  instruct  the  executive  committee  hereafter 
to  furnish  assistance  from  its  funds,  except  in  veiy  extraordinary  cases, 
only  to  such  candidates  for  the  ministiy  as  are  actually  in  prosecution 
of  their  theological  course. 

This  the  Assembly  deemed  unwise,  inasmuch  as  it  would  ^-iiiually 
shut  off  that  class  of  young  men  which  we  aim  to  assist.  With  a  col- 
lege education  young  men  are  in  a  condition  to  help  themselves,  while 
without  it  they  are  helpless. 

853.   The  Lusk  legacy. 

Several  years  ago,  and  before  the  organization  of  oiir  Assembly,  Eobert  Lusk, 
Esq.,  of  Water  Vallej^,  Miss.,  made  his  will,  by  which  he  gave  the  undisposed  of 
balance  of  his  estate  to  be  equally  divided  between  the  Board  of  Education  and  the 
Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  amounting,  as  was  supposed,  to  ten  or  twelve  thousand  dollars, 
subject  to  certain  trusts  expressed  in  the  will.  A  large  part  of  this  legacy  has  been 
paid  over  to  the  Northern  Church,  and  now  they  projxjse,  through  their  boards, 
to  turn  over  the  residue  of  the  estate  in  the  hands  of  the  executor  of  the  will  to 
the  executive  committees  of  our  General  As.sembly,  on  condition  that  our  Church 
provides  for  the  payment  of  an  annuity  of  one  hundred  dollars  to  the  Water  Valley 
church,  as  provided  for  in  the  will,  and  save  them  from  all  fiirther  costs  and  ex- 
penses, and  leaving  (hem  in  possession  of  all  that  they  have  received,  freed  from 
all  the  trusts  in  the  will.  The  trustees  respectfully  ask  the  instructions  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  upon  this  subject.  (From  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  1873, 
p.  383.) 

P.  328.  Resoliu'd,  That  the  trustees  (if  the  General  Assembly  be 
authoiized  to  accept  fi'om  the  Board  of  Educatifm  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  Ignited  States  of  America  in  Philadelphia  the  transfer 
and  relinquishment  of  one-half  of  the  residue  of  the  bequest  imder  the 
will  of  Eobert  Lusk,  deceased,  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  upon 
the  terms  by  said  board  proposed,  and  the  same  be  held  by  the  said 
ti'ustees  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  of  Education  of  this  General  As- 


198  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

sembly,  and  the  interest  on  said  sum  be  paid  tlie  committee  as  it  ac- 
crues, in  accordance  with  the  directions  in  the  will  of  said  Eobert  Lusk, 
deceased,  and  that  said  trustees  of  this  Assembly  be  authorized  to  re- 
ceipt the  administration,  with  the  will  annexed,  of  said  deceased,  and 
the  Board  of  Education  respectively  for  said  one-half  of  said  residue  of 
said  bequest. 

2.  That  the  assent  of  the  General  Assembly  is  hereby  given  to  the= 
transfer  to  Water  Valley  church,  in  the  Presbytery  of  North  Missis- 
sippi, by  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  New  York,  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
of  the  one-half  of  the  residue  of  the  bequest  made  by  Eobert  Lusk,  de- 
ceased, of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  to  the  said  Board  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions, and  upon  the  receipt  by  said  church  of  said  bequest  from  the 
administration,  with  the  will  annexed,  of  said  Eobert  Lusk,  deceased, 
to  be  used  and  appropriated  by  said  church  as  provided  in  the  will  of 
said  Eobert  Lusk,  deceased.     AH  of  which  is  submitted. 

In  1876,  p.  267,  the  trustees  reported  that  this  matter  had  been 
brought  to  a  close,  and  that  the  Northern  Church  had  executed  papera 
of  relinquishment  and  transfer.     Thereupon  it  was — 

1876,  p.  230.  Hesolved,  That  imless  some  other  more  feasible  plan 
be  suggested,  and  if  there  be  no  legal  obstacle  in  the  way,  the  trustees 
of  the  Assembly  be  instructed  to  turn  over  the  legacy  of  the  Lusk  es- 
tate (the  transfer  of  which  by  the  Northern  Assembly  to  our  Church 
has  just  been  consummated,  and  which  amounts  to  about  $3,000)  to 
the  treasurer  of  Education,  to  collect  and  use  the  same  for  liquidating- 
the  existing  debt,  or  otherwise,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  cause  may  re- 
quire 

354.  Shall   the  present  scheme  of  Beneficiarij  Education  he 
abandoned? 

1875,  p.  17.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Concord,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  consider  the  propriety  of  abandoning  the  present  scheme 
of  Education,  and  remanding  this  subject  to  the  Presbyteries. 

The  committee  recommend  that,  as  the  overtiure  contemplates  a  radi- 
cal change  in  the  pohcy  of  the  Church,  a  committee  of  two  ministers  and 
one  elder  be  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  maturely,  and  to  collect 
the  sense  of  the  Church  by  correspondence,  and  feport  to  the  next  As- 
sembly.    Adopted. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Stratton,  D.  D.,  Eev.  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  and  ruling 
elder  J.  L.  Marye,  were  appointed  such  committee. 

1876,  p.  229.  This  committee  made  a  rej)ort,  which  was  referred  to 
the  Standing  Committee  on  Education.  Thereupon  the  following  action 
was  taken  on  the  report  of  that  committee : 

Resolved,  That  the  overtures  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Mecklenburg 
and  South  Carolina,  asking  for  the  abandonment  of  the  present  scheme 
of  Education,  and  remanding  the  whole  matter  to  the  Presbyteries,  be 
answered  in  the  negative. 

That  the  very  able  and  exhaustive  report  of  the  special  committee  on 
the  subject  of  Beneficiaiy  Education  be  approved,  and  printed  in  the 
Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  as  expressing  the  views  of 
the  Assembly,  and  vindicating  the  poUcy  of  the  Church  on  the  whole 
subject  to  which  it  relates,  viz.  : 

(1.)  The  necessity  of  l)eneficiary  education,  in  order  to  keep  up  the 


Sec.  354.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  199 

suppl}'  of  ministers  in  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  in  which  the  standard 
of  education  is  high,  and  the  cost  of  it  much  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
most  of  those  who  are  called  of  God  to  the  work  of  the  miuistiy  in  our 
Church. 

(2.)  The  fitness  and  the  efficiency—  above  any  other  plan  as  yet  tried 
or  proposed —  of  the  present  scheme  of  conducting  the  beneficiary  edu- 
cation of  the  Church,  through  the  agency  of  a  central  committee,  hav- 
ing the  whole  field  of  the  Church  under  its  supervision,  biinging  each 
part  of  it  in  this  important  work  in  contact  with  ever%-  other  part,  and 
managing  the  whole  in  such  a  way  that  the  strong  shaU  help  the  weak, 
and  the  weak  be  helped  by  the  strong,  according  to  the  law  of 
Christ. 

(3.)  The  wisdom  of  the  present  plan  of  making  appropriations  to 
candidates  at  all  the  stages  of  their  preparatoiy  studies,  and  without 
imposing  on  them  the  biu'den  of  debt.  All  of  which  in  this  admii*able 
report  are  most  ably  argued  and  conclusively  proven. 

This  report,  as  adopted  above,  is  found  on  p.  278,  ff.,  of  the  Minutes, 
and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly  to  "consider  maturely" 
the  subject  of  the  educational  policy  of  the  Church,  and  to  "collect  by  corre- 
spondence the  sense  of  the  Church "  upon  the  same,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  re- 
port— 

That,  in  the  execution  of  the  latter  branch  of  the  two-fold  duty  assigned  to  them, 
the  conclusion  has  been  reached,  that  "the  sense  of  the  Church"  preponderates 
largely  and  decidedly  in  favor  of  retaining  the  jjresent  scheme  of  Education,  con- 
ducted, under  constitutional  regiilations,  by  a  central  executive  committee.  The 
precise  evidence  upon  which  this  conclusion  rests  it  would  not  be  possible,  within 
the  compass  of  an  ordinary  document,  to  present.  It  vnil  be  sufficient  to  say,  that 
it  is  the  result  of  much  careful  observation  and  reflection,  and  of  testimony  derived 
through  an  extensive  correspondence  from  ecclesiastical  bodies,  from  officers  of 
Presbyteries  and  Synods,  and  from  representative  minds  in  different  sections  of  the 
Church. 

At  the  same  time,  it  is  not  to  be  concealed  that  there  is  a  serious  dislike  to,  or  dis- 
trust of,  the  present  scheme,  entertained  definitely  by  certain  portions  of  the 
Church,  and  more  or  less  j^articipated  in  by  individuals  in  all  parts  of  the  Church. 
This  adverse  sentiment,  it  is  believed,  does  not  at  all  impugn  the  principles  which 
underlie  the  Assembly's  present  scheme.  ^  All  parties  are  agreed  that  an  obligation 
rests  upon  the  Church  to  perpetuate  an  order  of  ministers ;  that  this  obligation  binds 
the  Chiirch  to  extend  all  necessary  or  practicable  aid  and  encouragement  to  those 
who  are  ' '  called  of  God  "  to  undertake  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  and  that,  as  the  ' '  call- 
ing of  God  "  unquestionably  embraces  often  "the  weak  things  of  the  world,"  or 
the  indigent  and  unlearned,  this  obligation,  in  such  cases,  takes  the  shape  of  a 
special  requisition  to  extend  to  these  embarrassed  candidates  pecuniary  aid  and  en- 
couragement. But  the  moment  the  practical  question,  as  to  the  method  of  dis- 
charging this  conceded  obligation,  is  approached,  imanimity  disappears,  and  we  meet 
with,  perhaps,  an  unusual  diversity  of  opinion. 

While,  as  has  been  intimated,  the  prevailing  verdict  of  the  Church  is  in  favor  of 
employing  a  central  committee,  acting  in  behalf  of  the  united  Chiirch,  in  some 
quarters  the  opposition  to  this  method  is  so  extreme  that  a  radical  change,  involving 
the  dissolution  of  the  central  committee,  and  the  remanding  of  the  whole  business 
to  the  hands  of  the  Presbyteries,  is  called  for.  And  again,  amongst  those  who  are 
in  accord  with  the  present  policy  of  the  Church,  no  inconsiderable  difference  of 
opinion  exists  as  to  the  expediency  of  sundry  of  the  actual  details  of  that  policy. 
In  the  view  of  some,  the  central  committee  should  be  reduced  to  the  gi-ade  of  a  mere 
disbursing  agency,  or  cashier,  whose  function  might  be  attached  to  one  of  the  two 
other  executive  committees  of  the  Church,  or  entrusted  to  some,  as  yet  undefined, 
subordinate  bureau.  The  argument  used  in  support  of  this  amendment  is  the  sav- 
ing of  expense,  which,  under  the  present  system,  it  is  contended,  is  disproportionate. 
Others,  believing  that  the  main  defect  in  the  present  system  lies  in  the  opportunity 
it  gives  to  untried  and  incompetent  applicants  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  Church's 
funds,  and  in  the  emasculating  effect  of  gratuitous  aid  upon  the  recipients  of  it, 


200  Digest  of  the  Acts  or  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  IV. 

would  obviate  the  difficulty  by  restricting  apjiiopriations  to  candidates  who  have 
demonstrated  their  manliness  and  tenacity  of  i^urpose,  by  making  their  way  by  their 
own  exertions  to  the  doors  of  the  theological  school,  or  at  least  to  the  higher  stages 
of  a  college  course.  Others,  looking  to  a  similar  reform,  woiild  convert  the  dona- 
tion into  a  loan,  distributed  into  such  portions  that  one  coiild  be  repaid  before  an- 
other is  advanced. 

These  examples  ilhistrate,  but  do  not  exhaust,  the  modifications  which  have  been 
proposed  to  the  existing  scheme  of  the  Church.  They  show  clearly  that  an  amount 
of  incertitude  as  to  the  right  policy  of  beneficiary  education  exists  at  the  present 
hour,  which  calls  for  the  exercise  of  that  mature  consideration  which  your  com- 
mittee has  been  enjoined  to  bestow  upon  this  subject. 

In  f)assing  to  this  second  branch  of  the  duty  assigned  them,  yoiir  committee  can 
only  with  difiidence  present  the  aspect  which  this  subject  bears  to  their  own 
minds. 

They  are  prepared  to  say,  therefore,  that  in  their  judgment  it  is  the  duty  and  the 
interest  of  the  Chxirch  to  adhere  to  its  j)resent  scheme  of  Education,  without  ma- 
terial modification;  and  they  rest  this  judgment  upon  the  following  grounds: 

1.  This  scheme  is  the  outgrowth  of  long  experiment  and  of  careful  and  intelligent 
study.  It  was  not  the  first  expedient  of  the  Church  to  reach  the  proposed  end,  but 
an  expedient  adopted  in  view  of  the  inadequacy  of  other  and  prior  expedients.  In 
the  process  by  which  it  has  been  constructed,  many,  if  not  all,  of  the  measures  now 
suggested  as  amendments  have  been  actually  tried,  found  unsatisfactory,  and  aban- 
doned for  those  included  in  the  present  scheme.  It  is  a  historical  fact,  that  the 
plan  of  conducting  beneficiary  ministerial  education  by  a  central  committee  has 
been  adopted  by  the  Chiirch  as  a  substitute  for  that  of  conducting  it  through  the 
medium  of  the  Presbyteries.  This  fact  is  clearly  presented  in  the  report  of  a  com- 
mittee upon  this  subject  to  the  Assembly  of  1866,  to  be  foiind  on  page  72  of  the 
printed  Minutes  of  that  Assembly  ;  and  your  committee  probably  cannot  better 
state  their  point  than  by  quoting  the  following  passages  from  that  report: 

"Finally,  in  182U,  every  other  scheme  was  merged  in  the  latter  (the  Board  of 
Ediication),  and  this  board  was  elevated  to  the  place  of  the  exclusive  organ  of  the 
Church,  in  the  matter  of  furthering  its  whole  i^lan  of  beneficiary  education  with 
respect  to  ministerial  candidates.  This  board  did  not,  indeed,  at  once  assume  the 
shape  into  which  it  is  now  moulded,  but  after  the  trial  of  a  great  variety  of  modifi- 
cations, all  which  were  designed  to  leave  to  the  Presbyteries  the  chief  agency  in  the 
selection  and  the  education  of  candidates.  It  gradually  settled  do^vn  upon  its  pre- 
sent foundations  of  apparent  permanency.  After  this  board,  our  Soiithern  Church 
has  copied  the  leading  features  of  that  plan,  which  appears  to  have  been  the  off- 
spring of  the  practical  wisdom  of  several  generations  of  earnest  thinkers  and  godly 
workers.  And  the  question  now  for  our  Church  to  decide  is,  whether  it  ought  to 
go  back  to  the  original  and  failing  scheme  of  Presbyterial  agency  for  prosecut- 
ing the  work  in  question,  or  to  any  of  those  modifications  which  proved  alike  un- 
satisfactory, and  out  of  which  the  existing  one  has  grown,  as  if  by  an  uncontrolla- 
ble necessity ;  or  whether  it  is  not  best  to  acknowledge  at  once  the  impolicy  of  so 
doing,  on  the  simple  ground  that,  be  our  theories  of  Church  order  in  view  of  this 
whole  subject  what  they  may,  experience  must  show  that,  at  least,  we  too  would 
be  compelled  to  adojit  the  same  conclusion  which  our  fathers  in  the  Church  so  pain- 
fully reached,  viz. :  that  a  central  board  or  executive  committee  is  alone  competent 
to  manage,  under  the  direct  control  of  the  Assembly,  the  jsractical  details  of  that 
great  scheme  of  Education  which  is  designed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  as  a 
united  and  harmonious  whole.  No  human  policy  is  free  from  objections,  and  we 
seem  to  be  shut  up  to  the  adoption  of  that  which,  in  the  matter  before  us,  actual 
experiment  has  demonstrated  to  possess  the  fewest  and  least  damaging,  all  things 
considered. " 

2.  The  defects  or  evils  which  are  chargeable  upon  the  present  scheme,  seem  to 
be  such  as  are  confessedly  inherent  in  all  jirojects  of  an  eleemosynary  nature.  Hu- 
man sagacity  has  been  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  devise  methods  of  dispensing  aid  to 
the  needy,  without  opening  through  these  projects  avenues  for  imposition  and 
abuse,  and  as  yet,  the  jiroblem  is  unsolved.  Miscarriage,  to  a  certain  extent,  ap- 
pears to  be  an  incident  inseparable  from  the  whole  class;  and  unless  a  margin  is  left 
for  its  occurrence  the  whole  class  of  beneficiary  enterprises  must  be  abandoned. 
Such  a  conclusion,  it  is  maintained,  cannot  be  right.  Unhappily,  miscarriage  in 
such  cases,  involving,  as  it  does,  a  violation  of  the  tender  and  benevolent  instincts 
of  the  heart,  is  apt  to  produce  a  reaction  in  many  minds  which  carries  them  to  this 
conclusion,  and  so  brings  them  under  the  infiuence  of  an  unreasonable  prejudice  or 
scepticism  in  regard  to  all  (charitable  undertakings.     It  is  obviously  a  pressing  of 


Sec.  354.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  201 

the  argument  farther  than  is  legitimate,  to  infer,  in  the  face  of  the  acknowledged 
embarrassments  of  the  general  problem,  that  the  failures  imputed  to  the  particular 
scheme  of  beneficiary  education  adopted  by  the  Church  is  not  as  good  as  any  other 
scheme  which  can  be  proposed,  or  may  not  even  be  the  best  scheme  of  the  kind 
possible. 

3.  The  diversity  in  the  reforms  recommended  by  the  objectors  to  the  present 
scheme,  and  the  pertinacity  with  which  they  are  urged,  would  seem  to  forbid  the 
hope  that  a  change  of  policy  would  effect  any  abatement  of  the  dissatisfaction  now 
felt  by  the  Church ;  and  suggest  the  fear  rather,  that  such  a  change  might  be  the 
source  of  mischiefs  greater  than  those  which  exist  under  the  present  scheme.  In 
the  language  of  one  of  our  Synods,  "the  system  under  which  aid  is  at  present  given 
to  beneficiaries  would  be  more  likely  to  suffer  detriment  than  experience  advantage 
from  any  modification  of  that  system.  Without  unanimity  in  the  support  of  it,  it  is 
imjiossible  for  any  system  to  be  successful.  If  the  system  actually  in  use,  combin- 
ing, as  it  does,  the  elements  of  simplicity,  efficiency  and  comprehensiveness,  cannot 
command  this  unanimity,  it  is  more  than  imi^robable  that  any  of  the  various  sub- 
stitutes for  it  which  are  proposed  will  do  so. 

4.  The  present  scheme  has  happily  been  so  defined  and  regulated  in  its  functions 
that  under  it  no  invasion  or  usurpation  of  the  powers  of  the  Presbyteries  can  pos- 
sibly occur.  The  presence  of  an  executive  committee  of  the  whole  Church  doing 
the  work  assigned  to  it  leaves  the  Presbj'tery  in  plenary  possession  of  its  right- 
ful control  over  the  candidate  for  the  ministry  from  his  reception  to  his  in- 
duction into  the  ministry.  The  execiitive  committee  occupies  simply  the  position 
of  a  factor  of  the  Presbytery,  and  a  factor  which,  from  the  terms  of  its  commission, 
is  necessarily  an  obedient  and  a  harmless  one.  The  only  conceivable  objection  to 
it,  on  the  i^art  of  the  Presbytery,  is  that  it  is  a  superfluous  adjunct  to  its  own  me- 
chanism.    That  this  objection  does  not  lie,  we  shall  proceed  to  show. 

5.  The  policy  which  enlists  the  whole  Church  in  the  work  of  enlarging  and  per- 
petuating the  ministrj^  is  in  accordance  with  the  lU'inciple  that  the  minister  is  the 
property  of  the  whole  Church,  and  the  candidate  for  the  ministry  is  the  ward  of 
the  whole  Church.  The  Presbytery,  under  a  wise  and,  we  believe,  scriptural 
economy,  formally  conveys  to  the  minister  his  office,  and  maintains  the  oversight 
of  him  in  the  discharge  of  it;  biit  he  does  not  belong  to  the  Presbytery.  He  is  the 
servant  of  Christ — a  "man  of  God" — a  minister  of  the  New  Testament;  and  "the 
field"  to  which  his  Master's  mission  calls  him  "  is  the  world."  Wherever  the  in- 
terests of  the  Church  or  the  kingdom  of  God  need  his  services,  thither  he  must  go, 
and  no  claims  of  the  Presbytery  can  interpose  an  interdict.  The  obligation  under 
which  the  minister  and  the  candidate  stands  is,  therefore,  one  which  binds  him  to 
the  whole  Church.  And  as  a  corollary  to  this,  the  whole  Church  is  under  an  obli- 
gation to  afford  support,  facility,  and  encouragement  to  the  minister  and  the  can- 
didate iia  their  respective  works.  The  minister  or  the  candidate  who  should  be  de- 
barred from  doing  the  work  to  which  his  Master  has  called  him  would  have  a  com- 
plaint to  lay  at  the  door  of  the  whole  Church.  It  is  upon  the  recognition  of  this 
obligation  that  the  scheme  of  Susteutation,  by  which  provision  is  made  for  the  ade- 
quate supi^ort  of  all  ministers  out  of  a  common  fund,  has  been  so  successfully 
built  lip  in  Scotland,  and  is  proposed  as  a  desirable  consummation  in  oiar  own 
Church.  It  is  right  to  say,  theiefore,  that  the  responsibility  which  lies  someichere, 
in  everj'  case  where  a  young  man  needs  help  to  enable  him  to  obey  the  Divine  call 
to  enter  the  ministry,  is  not  restricted  to  the  Presbytery  with  which  he  is  formally 
connected,  but  rests  upon  the  whole  Church.  Every  part  of  the  Church  -everj'  mem- 
ber of  the  one  body  -  ought  to  feel  the  pressure  of  that  res])ousibility,  and  ought  to 
be  put  in  a  position  to  resjjond  to  its  demand.  Now,  a  scheme  which  recognizes 
this  relation  of  the  candidate  to  the  whole  Church,  which  says  to  him  "the  whole 
Church,  through  an  executive  committee,  will  help  you  to  enter  the  ministry,  just 
as  the  whole  Churi-h,  through  an  Executive  Committee  of  Missions,  after  you  have 
entered  the  ministry,  will  ecpiij)  you  and  send  you  to  the  heathen,  if  the  Lord  com- 
mands you  to  go  to  them, "  sucli  a  scheme  seems  to  rest  upon  a  principle  so  primi- 
tive and  radical  that  it  may  he  said  to  lie  at  the  foimdation  of  the  economy  of  the 
gospel  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

().  It  is  almost  like  presenting  this  idea  under  another  form  to  say,  now  that  the 
present  scheme  of  beneficiary  education  accomplishes  more  than  Presbyterial  over- 
sight can  do,  in  that  it  enables  the  weak  Presbyterj'  to  draw  aid  from  the  strong 
one,  and  the  strong  one  to  extend  aid  to  the  weak  one.  The  weak  one  has  this 
right,  and  the  strong  one  lies  und(>r  this  obligation,  in  accordance  with  that  law  of 
corporate  identitj'  in  the  Church  which  has  just  been  affirmed.  The  duty  of  bear- 
ing one  another's  burdens  is  a  distinct  article  in  this  law,  just  as  it  is  in  "the  law 


202  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV, 

of  Christ. "  The  Presbytery  acknowledges  it  in  requiring  all  the  congregations  un- 
der its  care  to  continue  in  supporting  the  needy  young  man  to  be  found  in  any  one 
of  these  congregations  who  has  presumptively  been  called  to  the  ministry.  But 
the  scope  of  this  law  is  co-exteusive  with  the  interests  and  wants  of  the  whole 
Church;  and  the  case  of  any  needy  young  man,  presumptively  called  to  the  minis- 
try in  any  part  of  the  Church,  constitutes  the  burden  of  every  other  part  of  the 
Church.  The  candidate  adopted  by  the  feeble  Presbytery  on  the  frontier  ia  the 
burden  of  the  able  Presbytery  in  the  interior  or  on  the  seaboard,  though  personally 
unknown  to  it.  Any  educational  scheme,  to  be  complete,  must  make  provision  for 
the  bearing  of  this  burden.  The  history  of  the  efforts  and  experiments  of  the 
Church  in  this  direction,  as  given  in  the  reports  of  18G6,  above  referred  to,  will 
show  how  signally  the  Presbyteries,  while  acknowledging  the  obligation  to  make 
provision  for  this  burden-bearing,  failed  to  acquit  themselves  of  it.  A  common 
central  committee  of  the  Church,  gathering  up  the  resources  of  the  Church,  and 
distributing  them  withoi;t  partiality,  wherever  a  case  of  need  calls  for  them,  can 
and  does  secure  this  result. 

7.  The  propagation  of  a  ministry  being  a  function  which  is  vital  in  the  economy 
of  the  Church,  the  organ  that  is  used  to  effect  it  needs  to  be  secured  against  inter- 
ruption or  exhaustion.  Such  an  organ,  in  order  to  do  its  work  with  steadiness  and 
certainty,  oiight  to  be  put  beyond  the  risk  of  those  local  and  occasional  disturbances 
which  are  adapted  to  obstruct  or  arrest  its  action.  Experience,  we  think,  warrants 
the  remark  that  Presbyteries  are  subject  to  such  disturbances.  Their  action  is 
liable  to  become  intermittent  and  irregular.  It  is  so  because  it  is  dependent  upon 
the  ability  or  the  disposition  of  the  constituency  of  the  churches  which  compose 
them ;  and  these  fluctuate  with  the  vicissitudes  of  the  commercial  world,  or  with 
the  changes  of  moral  temperature  which  occur  in  a  community.  To  give  stability 
and  equability  to  the  great  interest  represented  by  an  educational  scheme,  it  is  ne- 
cessary that  the  element  of  subsistence  should  reach  it  in  a  uniform  and  constant 
current,  and  that  a  failure  of  support  in  one  quarter  should  be  compensated  by  the 
abundant  supply  furnished  from  another.  A  central  reservoir  is  demanded,  in  or- 
der that  the  scheme  may  be  put  beyond  the  danger  of  collapse,  through  poverty  or 
apathy  on  the  part  of  Presbyteries. 

8.  As  a  general  fact,  the  success  of  an  enterprise  depends  upon  the  zeal  and 
force  thrown  into  it  by  one  master-mind.  Kesponsibility  needs  to  be  concentrated 
upon  an  individual ;  and  under  that  responsibility  his  facilities  need  to  be  concen- 
trated upon  the  enterprise  in  hand.  So  bodies  of  men  are  usually  leavened  into 
homogeneous  masses  and  agencies.  The  present  educational  scheme  of  the  Church 
recognizes  this  principle.  The  conduct  of  the  scheme  is  lodged  in  the  hands  of  a 
special  executive  committee,  who  certainly,  under  whatever  constitutional  restric- 
tions they  are  placed,  are  expected  and  are  competent  in  many  ways  to  foster  the 
scheme  entrusted  to  them;  and  upon  the  secretary  of  the  committee  is  devolved 
the  official  duty  of  keeping  the  Church  informed  of  the  necessities  of  the  scheme, 
and  of  inciting  and  stimulating  the  Church  to  a  punctual  and  liberal  support  of  it. 
The  utility  of  this  officer  lies  mainlj^  in  the  facilities  which  his  position  gives  him 
for  quickening  the  conscience  and  inspiring  the  heart  of  the  Chiirch  in  behalf  of  the 
cause  of  which  he  is  the  overseer ;  and  knowing  what  the  infirmities  of  human  nature 
are,-  and  what  derelictions  are  possible  even  in  Christian  communities,  your  commit- 
tee feel  persuaded  that,  without  such  a  reiJreseutative  and  monitor  to  define  and  to  ad- 
vocate this  cause  in  the  eye  and  ear  of  the  Church,  the  amount  of  interest  entertained 
in  it,  and  supjjort  furnished  to  it,  would  be  materially,  perhajjs  fatally,  diminished. 

In  these  cojisiderations,  which  we  have  been  oblig'Hl  to  state  almost  with  the 
brevity  of  theses,  and  in  the  conclusion  to  which  they  point,  your  committee  en- 
tirely and  heartily  concur.  They  seem  to  us  to  demonstrate  clearly  the  expediency 
of  adhering  to  the  present  general  policy  of  the  Church.  In  regard  to  the  practi- 
cal details  by  which  it  is  attempted  to  carry  out  this  general  policy,  there  is,  perhaps, 
in  certain  particulars,  occasion  for  objection  and  room  for  imjn-ovemeut.  The 
changes,  however,  which  have  occurred  to  your  committee,  or  those  which  have  been 
suggested  to  them  by  other  parties,  appear  to  be  attended  -with  such  risks  and  diffi- 
culties that  we  hesitate  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  them,  and  prefer  to  leave  the 
structure  of  the  present  scheme  undisturbed.  The  attempt  to  reduce  the  expen- 
siveness  of  the  scheme  by  substituting  for  an  executive  committee  a  mere  pay-mas- 
ter, is  in  effect  to  abandon  the  scheme.  It  does  not  seem  possible  to  maintain  an 
executive  committee,  with  a  projjer  equi^jment,  at  a  less  cost  than  that  which  is 
now  annually  incurred.  And  the  question  to  be  asked  in  this  relation  is  really  the 
simple  one.  Are  the  advantages  of  this  scheme  worth  the  cost  ?  To  your  commit- 
tee it  is  evident  that  they  are.     Under  existing  arrangements  the  executive  com- 


Sec.  354.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  203 

mittee,  with  its  secretury,  is  a  productive  agent,  capable  of  enlisting  a  strong  moral 
power  in  drawing  snpijort  from  the  Church  to  the  cause  it  rejiresents.  To  weaken 
the  producer  is  to  curtail  the  product.  A  cheap  disbursing  ofiice,  it  is  feared, 
would  entail  the  result  of  an  insignilicant  revenue  to  be  disbursed.  The  expense, 
too,  of  the  present  sysfem  can  be  regarded  as  excessive  onlj'  when  viewed  as  a  dis- 
l^roportiimate  percentage  upon  the  fund  controlled.  But  this  disproportion  will 
diminish  as  this  fund  increases ;  and  that  the  contributions  of  the  Church  for  bene- 
ficiary education  are  always  to  remain  at  their  present  low  grade  is  hardly  to  be 
admitted.  Besides,  to  give  this  primary  intei'est  a  subordinate  rank  is  to  push  it 
into  the  back-ground,  and  so  to  depreciate  it  in  the  eyes  of  the  Chiirch. 

The  damage  which  would  be  inflicted  by  discrediting  a  cause  so  fundamental  to 
the  existence  of  the  Church  cannot  be  balanced  bj'  a  trifling  pecuniary  saving. 

The  project  of  limiting  the  aid  dispensed  by  the  executive  committee  to  the  case 
of  candidates  who  have  reached  an  advau(^ed  stage  of  education  is  urged  strenu- 
ously by  certain  friends  of  the  existing  scheme;  and  the  reasons  given  for  the 
change  undoubtedly  possess  weight.  Your  committee,  however,  are  persuaded 
that  it  wo)]ld  be  inexpedient  to  make  such  a  rule  peremjitory  and  universal.  De- 
pendent, as  the  (piestion  of  duty  in  this  matter  must  be,  upon  the  variable  circum- 
stances of  individual  life,  an  invariable  law  of  this  kind  would  have  in  it  an  aspect 
of  arbitrariness.  The  Church's  aid  seems  to  be  ju-operly  bestowed  wherever  there 
is  a  fair  presumption  that  the  applicant  for  it  has  been  called  of  God  to  the  minis- 
try ;  and  evidence  of  a  Divine  call  certainly  may  appear  in  the  incipiency,  ag  well 
as  at  the  comj^letion  of  an  academic  curriculum.  In  its  nurture  of  its  wards  it  is 
probable  that  the  Church  should  consider  itself  as  standing  in  loco  parentis,  and 
should  require  no  tests  more  rigid  than  the  parent,  or  at  least  the  private  patron, 
would  apply. 

In  regard  to  the  deteriorating  effect  of  beneficiary  education  upon  personal 
character,  it  is  sufficient  to  remark  that  such  an  effect  does  not  follow  the  bounty 
which  the  parent  or  private  patron  bestows  upon  the  youth  he  is  aiding  in  the  ac- 
quisition of  an  education ;  and  that  the  annals  of  the  Church  give  no  evidence  that 
such  has  been  the  effect  of  the  help  it  has  furnished  to  its  beneficiaries.  The  evils 
which  it  is  proposed  to  remove  by  the  change  in  ^question  your  committee  believe 
can  be  more  eiicctually  cured  by  vigilance  and  circumspection  on  the  part  of  the 
Presbyteries. 

To  the  proposition  to  change  the  gift  of  the  Church  to  its  candidate  into  a  loan, 
it  may  be  objected,  that  it  converts  what  ought  to  be  eminently  an  act  of  faith,  or 
service  of  piety  on  the  part  of  the  Church,  into  a  mere  commercial  transaction; 
and  that,  if  the  self-respect  of  the  candidate  is  sought  to  be  preserved  bj*  it,  it  over- 
looks the  fact  that  the  result  of  the  ^jrocess  would  be  to  put  him,  and  perhaps 
keep  him,  indefinitely  in  the  most  humiliating  of  all  positions — that  of  a  debtor. 
The  only  compensation  which  can  legitimately  be  required  of  him  is  like  that  which 
the  country  asks  from  the  beneficiaries  whom  it  educates  for  its  army  and  navy — 
devotion  to  the  sovereign  who  has  called  him  to  his  service. 

The  embarrassment  which  the  executive  committee  is  liable  to  suffer,  and  has 
actiially  suffered,  from  the  fact  that,  from  the  inadequacy  of  the  funds  contributed 
by  the  churches  to  meet  the  pledges  given  to  candidates,  a  debt  is  each  year  created 
which  passes  over  as  a  burden  to  the  following  year,  has  suggested  the  inquiry 
whether  a  rule  should  not  be  adopted  by  which  each  year  should  be  requii-ed  to 
complete  its  own  work,  and  the  annual  jiledges  of  the  committee  be  considered  re- 
deemed when  a  pro  rutn  distribution  of  the  funds  actually  given  during  the  j'ear 
has  been  made.  The  subje(-t  here  presented  appears  to  your  committee  one  of  ex- 
treme delicacy.  The  advantage  to  the  Church  of  escaping  from  the  incubus  of 
debt  which  this  plan  would  secure  would  be  incalculable.  But,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  corps  of  camlidates  might  be  serious  sufferers;  and  what,  perhajjs,  is  worse, 
others  who  had  been  led  by  the  j)ledge8  of  the  Church  to  give  them  credit  might 
be  involved  in  loss.  Upon  the  whole,  it  is  questionable  whether  the  embarrassment 
which  would  be  likely  to  ensue  from  the  change  proposed  is  not  more  to  be  deprecated 
than  that  under  which  the  executive  comndttee  now  labors.  A  pledge  to  the  can- 
didate, more  or  less  definite,  seems  to  be  inseparable  from  a  beneficiary  system.  A 
pledge,  ordinarily,  ought  to  be  literally  redeemed :  and  a  failure  in  redeeming  it, 
in  the  case  of  its  candidates,  would  almost  inevitably  expose  the  Church  to  the 
charge  of  bad  faith  and  wrong-di)ing. 

•  Your  committee  have  been  the  less  disposed  to  look  favorably  upon  these  and  all 
other  modifii-ations  of  the  present  scheme  of  education,  because  they  think  they 
can  see  in  the  structure  of  the  present  scheme  a  complete  capacity  to  overcome  all 
the  difficulties  for  which  these  modifications  are  proposed  as  remedies.     They  be- 


204  Digest  op  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

lieve  that  the  machinery  now  in  operation,  if  fully  and  regularly  worked,  wiU  prove 
itself  abundantly  adequate  to  effect  the  object  for  which  it  has  been  erected.  The 
obvious  conditions  upon  which  its  success  depends  are  these : 

First,  That  the  Church  shall  realize  the  fundamental  importance  of  the  work 
entrusted  to  its  executive  committee.  The  perpetuation  and  miiltiplication  of  the 
ministry  are  simply  identical  with  the  preservation  of  the  life  of  the  Chiirch. 
Every  one  knows  this;  all  need  to  feel  the  tremendous  import  of  the  proposi- 
tion. 

Second,  That  the  Chiirch  shall  put  in  and  express  confidence  in  its  executive 
committee.  This  confidence  should  go  the  length  of  assuming  that  they  are  honest 
in  their  motives  and  right  in  their  policy,  iintil  the  contrary  becomes  evident. 
Such  confidence  is  due,  in  every  case,  to  the  servant  or  agent,  and  without  it  the 
latter  must  work  to  a  disadvantage. 

Third,  That  the  Church  shall  contribute  with  an  equitable  freeness  and  liberal- 
ity to  the  support  of  the  cause.  A  minute  addition  to  the  present  gifts  of  the 
Church,  if  generally  made,  would  provide  an  ample  treasury,  and  enable  the  com- 
mittee to  exhibit  a  measure  of  success  in  their  work  which  would  effectually  silence 
all  objections. 

Fourth,  That  the  ministry  shall  aim  to  relieve  the  cause  of  the  popular  prejudices 
which  now  encumber  it.  Especially  that  they  shall  combine  to  lift  from  the  idea 
of  a  beneficiarj'  education  the  stigma  which  it  is  manifest  deforms  and  degrades  it 
in  the  view  of  many  minds.  The  obstinacy  with  which  this  stigma  holds  its  ground 
is  almost  unaccountable.  "From  the  origin  of  this  Seminary,"  (Princeton,)  wrote 
Dr.  Archibald  Alexander,  in  1847,  ' '  at  least  one-half  of  the  students  have  been 
more  or  less  dependent  on  charitable  funds  for  their  support ;  and  yet  it  has  never 
been  observed  by  the  professors  that  these  were,  as  a  body,  inferior  to  the  others  in 
any  resj)ect  whatever."  "If  we  should  now  take  a  survey  of  all  the  pastors  and 
evangelists  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  whether  laboring  at  home 
or  in  the  foreign  field,  there  would  be  f oiiud  no  marked  inferiority  in  those  educated 
on  the  fund  of  the  Church,  in  manners,  piety,  talent,  or  iisef ulness. "  And  one  of 
the  most  venerable  and  beloved  professors  in  one  of  our  own  seminaries  writes  to 
your  committee  in  the  following  terms :  "  As  to  the  deteriorating  effect  of  bene- 
ficiary education  upon  the  mental  and  moral  tone  of  its  recipients,  I  can  conceive 
that,  on  some  dispositions,  it  might  so  result.  On  the  contrary,  it  might  put  an  in- 
genuous nature  to  its  highest  efforts  to  show  itself  worthy  of  the  kindness  shown  it. 
How  did  it  operate  on  men  whom  you  and  I  know  of,  that  are  among  the  best,  the 
noblest  and  most  brilliant  men  in  the  Church  that  we  love  ?  I  have  just  looked 
over  a  long  list  of  beneficiary  students  that  I  have  had  to  do  with,  and  I  have  not 
been  able  to  put  my  finger  on  one  on  whom  I  can  say  that  I  have  observed  any  such 
injurious  effect  to  have  been  produced." 

Fifth,  That  the  Presbyteries  shall  recognize  and  acquit  themselves  of  the  com- 
prehensive resiDonsibility  with  which  they  are  charged,  in  the  matter  of  selecting 
and  superintending  candidates  for  the  ministry ;  and  that  they  shall  so  carefully  ad- 
minister their  trust  in  this  respect  that  those  errors  may  not  occur,  the  odium 
of  which  is  apt  to  fall  uj^on  the  execiitive  committee  and  the  educational 
scheme. 

In  conclusion,  your  committee  would  suggest  that  a  certain  amount  of  disaffec- 
tion and  distrust,  which  it  is  probable,  from  the  history  of  the  past,  will  always  at- 
tend this  effort  to  extend  aid  to  indigent  candidates  for  the  ministry,  may  be  a 
wholesome  check  to  the  tendency  to  extravagant  or  enthusiastic  measures  into 
which  the  Church  might  be  tempted  to  run,  if  the  cause  were  unqualifiedly 
popular. 

Invoking  upon  your  deliberations  upon  this  critical  and  momentous  subject  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  would  respectfully  recommend  to  your  venerable 
body  the  adojjtion  of  a  resolution  to  this  effect : 

That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  the  unabated  confidence  of  the  Church 
is  diie  to  its  educational  scheme,  as  at  present  organized  and  administered ;  and  that 
it  is  only  necessary  for  the  congregations  under  our  care  to  extend  to  it  their  good- 
will, their  prayers,  and  their  regular  coutribt;tions,  to  secure  a  success  which  shall 
satisfy  our  people  and  bestow  a  blessing  upon  the  world. 

355.  Pledges  to  candidates  must  he  absolute. 

The  executive  committee  having  (1876,  p.  275)  urged  the  necessity 
of  the  adoption  of  some  plan  by  which  the  committee  might  escape 


Sec.  355.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chubch.  205 

debt,  aud  having  renewed  this  recommendation  (1878,  p.  682),  along 
"with  a  second  recommendation,  that  all  pledges  be  made  to  candidates 
conditional  upon  the  ability  of  the  committee  to  paj'  them  without  in- 
ciu'ring  a  debt,  the  following  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly : 

1878,  p.  G44.  The  attention  of  the  Assembly  is  further  and  specially- 
called  to  one  great  practical  difficulty  in  the  operations  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Education,  and  its  wisdom  is  invoked  to  determine 
upon  a  satisfactory  solution.  The  difficulty  hes  in  the  want  of  some 
satisfactory  plan  for  closing  up  its  financial  operations  each  year,  with- 
out leaving  on  hand  a  debt  of  greater  or  less  magnitude,  that  will  eat 
into  the  conti'ibutions  of  the  succeeding  year  Only  two  practical  me- 
thods of  sohdng  the  difficulty  have  occuiTed  to  jow:  committee.  One 
of  these  is  to  make  all  pledges  to  candidates  conditional,  thus  leaving 
them  in  a  state  of  uncertainty  as  to  the  arnoimts  they  will  receive,  till 
the  close  of  the  year.  Such  a  course,  it  is  believed,  would  embarrass 
our  candidates,  and,  perhaps,  tempt  them  to  inciu*  debts  which,  at  the 
last  moment,  they  might  find  themselves  unable  to  discharge,  and  so 
prove  imfaithful  to  theu*  financial  obligations. 

The  other  alternative  is  to  make  all  these  pledges  to  candidates  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year  absolute  and  imconditional,  but  of  such  amounts 
as  to  leave  no  reasonable  doubt  of  the  committee's  abihty  to  pay  them. 
This  coiu'se  would  doubtless  be  somewhat  embaiTassing  to  the  young 
men  in  the  beginning  of  the  year,  but  they  would  have  the  advantage 
of  knowing  at  once  the  extent  of  their  resoiu'ces,  and  coiold  regulate 
theu"  outlay  accordingly.  This  plan  seems  upon  the  whole  the  prefer- 
able one,  and  is  recommended  by  yoiu*  committee. 

If,  in  addition  to  this,  the  executive  committee  can  manage  to  accu- 
mulate a  small  cash-working  balance,  from  which  they  can  draw  to 
meet  exigencies  arising  fi*om  imforeseen  increase  of  candidates,  or 
faUing  off  in  contributions,  the  system  would  be  complete,  and  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  would  be  free  from  those  painful  embarrassments 
that  sometimes  arise. 

AvaiHng  ourselves  of  the  results  of  the  study  bestowed  upon  this 
subject  by  the  executive  committee,  the  following  resolutions  have  been 
agreed  upon,  and  are  resj)ectfully  recommended  to  the  Assembly  for 
adoption : 

Resolved,  1,  That  it  is  a  fundamental  pi'inciple  that  the  executive 
committee  should  never  incur  a  debt. 

2.  That  inasmuch  as  the  churches  and  people  of  God  are  the  sole  re- 
soui'ces  whence  funds  for  Education  can  be  drawn,  the  executive  com- 
mittee is  not  under  obligation  to  pay  more,  or  pledge  moi'e,  than  is  fur- 
nished by  the  chux'ches. 

3.  That  each  ecclesiastical  year  should  close  up  its  own  financial 
matters,  and  that  it  is  inexpedient  to  levy  contributions  on  a  succeeding 
year  to  meet  the  deficiencies  of  a  previous  year. 

4.  That  it  appears  best,  on  the  whole,  that  the  appropriations  made 
by  the  Assembly's  committee  to  each  student,  whether  more  or  less 
ample,  be  po.sitive;  and  therefore  the  Assembly  recommends  to  the 
committee  so  to  regulate  its  pledges  and  expenditures  for  the  ensuing 
year  as  to  secure  by  the  end  thereof  a  cash-working  balance,  such  as 
will  enable  it,  along  with  the  annual  collections,  to  make  positive  pledges 
.0  the  candidates  in  the  future. 


206  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

356.    Collecting  hack  appro2yriatio7is  from  candidates  u^ho  have  aban- 
doned preparation  for  the  ministry. 

1879,  p.  37.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  exercise  due  diligence 
in  assistance  to  collect  back  funds  appropriated  on  their  recommenda- 
tion to  candidates  ^ho  have  abandoned  preparation  for  the  ministry, 
except  it  be  on  account  of  unavoidable  j^rovidences. 

357.  Preshyterial  reports. 

1879,  p.  37.  Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  that  all 
the  Presbyteries  furnish  the  secretary,  in  time  to  incorporate  them 
within  his  annual  report,  full  statements  of  all  amounts  contributed  to 
aid  candidates  preparing  for  the  ministry,  so  that  the  reports  of  the 
General  Assembl}^  may  show  precisely  what  is  being  done  by  the 
Church  for  this  cause. 

358.  Applicants  before  Presbyteries  shoiddhave  testimonials  from  their 

sessions. 

1880,  p.  211.  With  the  recommendation  of  the  executive  committee, 
that  all  candidates  coming  before  Presbyteries  shall  bear  the  certifi- 
cates of  their  sessions,  testif\'ing  to  their  qualifications,  physical,  men- 
tal, and  spiritual,  your  committee  heartily  agree.  Approved  by  the 
Assembly. 

359.  Address  to  the  churcltes  on  ministerial  education. 

1880,  p.  211.  Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  modera- 
tor of  this  Assembly,  the  Eev.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D.,  and  Eev.  William 
Brown,  D.  D.,  be  appointed  to  prepare  an  address  to  all  our  churches, 
setting  forth  the  claims  of  the  cause  of  Education  for  the  Ministry 
in  their  prayers  and  their  pecuniary  benefactions,  and  that  the  said 
address,  when  prepared,  be  published  and  put  into  circulation  by  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Publication. 

Resolved,  That  ministers  having  charge  of  churches  be  requested  to 
read  the  said  address  from  their  pulpits. 

360.    The  secretary  to  visit  Synods  and  Presbyteries. 

1882,  p.  557.  Resolved.  That  while  the  salary  and  duty  of  the  secre- 
tary and  treasurer  shall  still  be  determined  by  the  executive  committee, 
yet  this  Assembly  expresses  its  desire  for  the  secretary  to  visit  as  many 
Synods  as  possible,  and  to  see  that  the  cause  of  Education  is  repre- 
sented in  all  of  them ;  and  furthermore,  that  he  pursue  the  same  course 
as  far  as  practicable  in  respect  to  the  Presbyteries. 

361.  Alarming  need  of  more  ministers. 

1882,  p.  540.  In  view  of  the  alarming  fact,  that  while  within  the  his- 
tory of  our  Church  never  have  there  been  so  many  fields  of  labor  ear- 
nestly, but  vainly,  seeking  ministers,  there  appears  to  be  a  marked  di- 
minution of  the  increase,  if  there  be  not  a  positive  decrease,  of  the  num- 
ber of  our  candidates  for  the  ministry ;  be  it 

Rtsolved,  1,  That  this  sad  and  alarming  truth  be  hereby  solemnly 
brought  to  the  serious  attention  of  our  churches,  that  they  may  be  led 
to  call  more  earnestly  and  continually  upon  God  (who,  as  Lord  of  the 


Secs.  362-364.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  207 

harvest,  can  alone  with  authority  and  power  lend  efficient  aid  in  this 
our  hoiu'  of  need),  that  he  raise  up  and  qualify  among  us  many  laborers 
whom  he  will  own  and  bless. 

2.  That  the  Chui'ch  be  urged  to  contribute  liberally  of  her  means  for 
the  education  of  om'  candidates  for  the  mmistry. 

3.  That  the  attention  of  Christian  parents  be  directed  to  the  especial 
propriety  of  bringing  at  this  juncture  their  pious  sons  before  the  throne 
of  Divine  grace,  and  there  tendering  them  unto  the  Lord  for  his  pecu- 
liar service. 

4.  That  our  ministers  be  recommended  to  present  earnestly  and  faith- 
fully this  general  subject  before  their  several  charges,  thus  laying  be- 
fore both  the  younger  men  and  middle-aged  in  our  Chiu'ch  the  urgent 
necessity  for  an  increase  of  laborers  among  us. 

362.  Duties  of  Preshyterial  chairmen. 

1883,  p.  44.  That  the  chaii'men  of  Presbyterial  committees  be  di- 
rected by  the  Presbyteries  to  keejD  themselves  fully  informed  as  to  the 
circumstances  and  needs  of  the  candidates  ixnder  their  care,  and  to 
make  their  apphcations  to  the  executive  committee  for  pecimiary  aid  as 
early  as  practicable  in  the  fiscal  year,  also  to  notify  the  secretary,  in  case 
any  candidate  should  fail  for  any  cause  to  enter  upon  his  course  of 
studies  at  the  opening  of  the  session  in  the  seminary,  and  to  ascertain, 
through  printed  forms  to  be  furnished  by  the  secretary,  or  otherwise, 
what  churches  have  not  contributed,  and  remmd  them  of  their  duty  in 
this  respect. 

1875,  p.  29.  Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  the  Presb}i^erial  Com- 
mittees of  Education  be  instructed  to  obtain  from  the  professors  of 
theological  seminaries,  colleges,  and  schools  where  our  candidates  may 
be  pursuuig  their  studies,  rej)orts  of  the  diHgence,  progress,  and  stand- 
ing of  each  beneficiary,  so  that,  in  case  of  any  deficiency,  the  proper 
correctives  may  be  applied  without  delay ;  and  also  that  these  reports 
be  forwarded  to  the  Executive  Committee  of  Education. 

363.  An  apportionment. 

1883,  p.  43.  In  view  of  the  necessity  for  enlarged  contributions  to  the 
cause  of  Education,  the  Assembly  recommended  that  an  effort  be  made 
to  secure  not  less  than  $21,000  for  the  current  year :  and  in  order  to 
give  more  detiniteness  and  system  to  this  effort,  without  proposing  to 
make  any  assessment,  or  lay  any  bui'den,  or  jjlace  any  limitation  upon 
any  of  the  Presbyteries,  it  requested  that  each  Presbytery  raise,  as  a 
minimum,  an  amount  not  less  than  that  named  in  a  schedule  reported 
by  the  chairman  and  found  cm  jiage  of  Minutes  43.  (Of  this,  a  little 
more  than  two-thirds  was  realized,  1884,  p.  275.) 

In  1885  it  was  resolved  to  apportion  $20,000  among  the  Presbrteries, 
and  in  1887  $25,000,  to  be  raised  if  possible ;  the  apportionment  to  be 
made  by  the  executive  committee. 

364.   The  Education  year. 

1884,  p.  240.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  allowed 
to  close  the  year  with  the  first  of  May,  so  that  the  Education  year  may 
more  nearly  correspond  with  the  scholastic  year. 


208  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

365.  Applications  for  aid  —  v)hen  to  he  sent  in. 

1884,  p.  2-40,  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  urge  the  Presbyteries 
to  enact  a  standing  rule  requiring  their  Committees  of  Education  to 
send  to  the  secretary  all  applications  for  help  as  early  as  possible,  and 
not  later  than  January  1st,  except  in  extraordinary  cases. 

366.    Color  of  candidates  to  he  reported. 

1885,  p.  407.  It  is  recommended  that  in  the  statistical  reports  here- 
after it  be  shown  how  many  of  the  candidates  are  white  and  how  many 
are  colored. 

367.    Churches  to  he  informed. 

1886,  p.  29.  Resolved,  That  Presbj-teries  urge  the  chairmen  of 
Presb}i,erial  committees  to  inform  pastors  and  sessions  during  the 
month  of  October  of  the  pressing  needs  of  this  cause. 

368.  Form  of  application. 

1885,  p.  407.  It  is  recommended  that  the  form  of  Presbyterial  ap- 
plication for  aid,  proposed  by  the  executive  committee,  be  approved  as 
a  judicious  safeguard  against  imposition. 

The  following  is  the  form : 

1.  The  Presbyteiy  of  hereby  makes  application  to  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Education  for  aid  in  behalf  of . 

2.  We  have  made  careful  inquiry  as  to  his  other  soiu'ces  of  help,  and 
find  he  will  need  the  above  sum  to  meet  necessary  expenses. 

3.  Should  he  receive  aid  from  other  sources,  rendering  the  full  ap- 
propriation mmecessary,  the  committee  will  be  notified,  and  the  appro- 
priation maj^  be  reduced. 

4.  The  Presbytery  is  in  full  co-operation  with  the  committee,  and 
sends  all  the  regular  collections  of  its  churches  to  its  treasmy ;  or 

5.  The  Presb3i;ery  is  in  partial  co-operation  with  the  committee,  and 
sends per  cent,  of  its  collections  to  its  treasur}^ 

6.  The  Presbytery  will  make  diligent  eflbrts  to  secure  collections  for 
Education  from  all  its  churches.  , 

Chairman  Com.  of  Ed.  of Preshytery . 

In  this  connection  we  note  the  following  : 

1886,  p.  28.  Resolved,  That  Presbyteries  urge  the  chairmen  of 
Presbyterial  committees  to  inquire  more  particularly  into  the  financial 
resources  of  such  candidates  as  apply  for  aid,  and  urge  them  to  di-aw 
on  all  private  resources  to  complete,  or  at  least  supplement,  the  fluids 
necessary  for  their  education. 

369.  Day  of  prayer  for  youtJi. 

1861,  p.  23.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  designates  the 
first  Wednesday  in  December  to  be  observed  annually  as  a  day  of  spe- 
cial prayer  for  the  youth  of  our  coimtry;  that  the  almighty  grace  of 
our  God  may  sanctify  them  in  their  homes,  their  schools,  their  colleges, 
and  their  seminaries,  to  the  great  work  of  preaching  the  gospel  to 
everj^  creature ;  and  that  the  churches  take  up  a  collection  on  that  day 
for  this  purpose. 


Secs.  370,  371.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chttech.  209 

370.  Change  in  the  day  of  prayer. 

1862,  p.  15.  Hesolved,  That  this  General  Assembly,  instead  of  the 
first  Wednesday  in  December,  as  designated  by  the  last  Assembly,  aj^- 
point  the  last  day  of  February  next,  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  special 
prayer  for  the  youth  assembled  in  our  various  schools,  colleges  and 
seminaries,  and  for  all  the  baptized  children  of  the  Church — that  God 
would  be  pleased  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  upon  them  and  sanctify  them 
to  the  blessed  "work  of  making  his  way  kno"wn  upon  the  earth,  his 
saving  health  amongst  all  nations. 

This  recommendation  was  renewed  from  year  to  year  in  words  sub- 
stantially the  same.     We  note  the  following : 

1865,  p.  368.  The  Sabbath  preceding  the  day  of  prayer  was  ap- 
pointed as  a  day  of  sj^ecial  instruction  from  the  pulpit  on  the  subject 
of  increase  in  the  ministiy. 

1867,  p.  151.  Resolrcd,  1,  That  the  General  Assembly  recommend 
the  observance  of  the  third  and  fourth  Sabbaths  of  February  as  days  of 
prayer  for  the  youth  gathered  in  the  seminaries  and  colleges  and  schools 
of  our  land. 

2.  That  all  oiu'  ministers  be  requested  to  preach  on  the  Sabbaths 
above  mentioned  upon  the  subject  of  Christian  education,  and  to  call 
upon  all  the  members  of  om-  churches,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  and 
by  a  dihgent  use  of  all  the  means  of  grace,  to  dedicate  their  sons  to 
God  for  the  work  of  the  ministiy. 

1883,  p.  43.  In  response  to  the  overtures  from  Presbyteries  propos- 
ing a  change  in  the  day  of  prayer  for  schools  and  colleges,  the  General 
Assembly  deems  it  inexpedient  to  make  any  change,  and  ui'ges  upon 
aU  our  people  the  devout  observance  of  the  last  Thm'sday  in  Febru- 
ary, the  day  that  for  more  than  tifty  years  has  been  obsei'ved  in  the 
Church,  and  that  has  been  so  often  and  so  signall}^  blessed  in  the  out- 
poiu'ing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  oui"  institutions  of  learning. 

The  General  Assembly  recommends  that,  in  addition  to  this  day,  the 
first  Sabbath  in  Novemljer,  the  day  upon  which  the  annual  collection 
for  Education  is  taken  up  in  most  of  our  churches,  be  observed  as  a  day 
of  special  prayer  for  an  increase  in  the  number  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry ;  that  on  this  da}^  oiu*  ministers  are  exhorted,  either  to  preach 
a  sermon  on  this  subject,  or  in  some  way  to  direct  the  attention  of  theii- 
people  most  earnestly  to  the  need  for  additional  laborers,  and  to  the 
call  of  God  upon  yovmg  men  in  every  walk  of  life  to  consider  theii"  per- 
sonal relations  and  responsibihties  in  this  regai'd,  and  that  our  people 
be  reminded  of  their  obhgations  to  contribute  freely  and  liberally  to  the 
Education  cause. 

In  1878,  p.  626,  the  Assembly  declined  to  gi-ant  an  overture  from 
Presb;\-teiy  of  Augusta  asking  that  the  day  of  prayer  be  changed  to  the 
last  Thursday  of  January. 

371.  Prayer  for  youth  in  the  army. 

1862,  p.  15.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  churches 
under  the  care  of  this  Assembly  to  offer  special  prayer  on  the  last  Sab- 
bath of  every  month  for  all  our  baptized  young  men  now  in  the  anny 
— that  God  would  preserve  them  from  aU  evil,  and  make  them  faithfiil 
to  the  Captain  of  their  salvation. 
14 


210  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  rv. 

372.    Week  of  prayer. 

1873.  p.  337.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  recommend  the  obser- 
vance of  a  week  of  j^rayer  for  our  institutions  of  learning,  and  for  the 
youth  of  our  Church  and  oui-  country,  beginning  with  the  last  Thurs- 
day of  February. 

373.  Special  prayer  for  increase  in  the  number  of  candidates. 

1884,  p.  241.  Overture  from  Athens  Presbytery  on  this  subject. 
Reply:  We  recognize  the  fact  that  the  first  available  Sabbath  of  No- 
vember is  formally  set  apart  for  the  furtherance  of  the  cause  of  Educa- 
tion in  all  its  aspects,  and  trust  that  pastors  will  so  use  it  at  their  best 
discretion. 

374.  Secular  Education. 

1867,  p.  150.  The  following  paper,  offered  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  J.  A. 
Lyon,  was  referred  to  the  Presbyteries,  with  direction  to  report  on  the 
subject  to  the  next  General  Assembly  : 

Whereas  the  Presbyterian  Chm'ch  has  at  all  times  been  distinguished 
for  the  high  degree  of  mental  culture  of  its  ministers  and  people,  an 
honorable  precedence  which  it  will  be  commendable  for  us  to  try  still 
to  maintain;  therefore, 

Resolved,  1,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  it  comes  clearly 
within  the  province  of  the  organized  Church  of  God  to  look  after  the 
mental,  as  well  as  the  moral,  culture  of  the  people  of  God,  with  the 
view  to  their  highest  attainment  in  active  vital  piety. 

2.  That  in  view  of  this  fact,  this  Assembly  deems  it  of  the  utmost 
importance  that  the  Church  elevates  its  standard  of  learning,  and 
widens  its  domain  in  prosecuting  the  educational  interests  of  the  peo- 
ple over  whom  it  exerts  a  controlling  inliuence. 

3.  That  this  Assembly'  request  the  Presbj-teries  throughout  the 
bounds  of  the  Church  to  take  this  subject  into  consideration  at  their 
next  regular  meetings,  and  report  their  action  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly. 

1868,  p.  266.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  to  which  were 
referred  the  answers  of  Presbyteries  to  the  overture  on  Educatioji  sent 
down  by  the  last  Assembly,  rejjort  that  replies  have  been  received  from 
twenty- two  Presbyteries.  The  object  understood  to  be  aimed  at  in  the 
overture  of  the  Assembly  is  embodied  in  a  memorial  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Tombeckbee,  contained  in  their  rejily,  as  follows : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Presbytery  hereby  memorialize  the  General 
Assembly  to  take  the  initiative  at  once  in  establishing  a  great  central 
institution  of  learning,  under  their  supervision  and  control,  in  which 
the  whole  Church  shall  be  united,  and  in  which  the  youth  of  the  Church 
shall  be  trained  and  qualified  to  become  intelligent  office-bearers  in 
the  Church  of  God,  whilst  at  the  same  time  they  may  pursue  the  dif- 
ferent professi(ms  and  callmgs  in  hfe." 

The  memorializing  Presbytery,  and  one  other,  have  recommended 
the  establishment  oi.  such  an  institution.  Of  the  other  Presbjderies 
seven  deny  the  right  of  the  Church  to  engage  in  the  work  of  secular 
education,  thirteen  declare  that  it  is  inexpedient  to  imdertake  such  an 
enterprise,  and  one  simply  affirms  the  resolutions  sent  down  by  the  As- 
sembly. 


Sec.  37;").]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  211 

In  view  of  the  above  facts,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  twenty-six 
Presbyteries  have  not  responded  to  this  overture,  the  committee  recom- 
mend the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  That  the  whole  matter  be  indefinitely  postponed. 

2.  That  our  people  be  urged  to  establish  and  encourage  schools  and 
colleges  under  Presbyterial  influence,  and  be  earnestly  advised  not  to 
send  their  children  to  schools  where  they  are  likely  to  be  enstranged 
fi"om  their  own  Church. 

375.  A  Southern  Presbyterian  University. 

1870,  p.  502.  Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  read  a  memorial  fi-om  the 
SjTiod  of  ]Mississippi  in  relation  to  estabhshing  a  Southern  Presbyte- 
rian University,  and  addressed  the  Assembly  in  its  favor. 

This  memorial,  together  with  papers  adopted  by  some  of  the  Pres- 
byteries relating  to  the  same  subject,  was  referred  to  a  special  commit- 
tee, consisting  of  one  commissioner  from  each  8vnt)d,  to-wit :  B.  M. 
Palmer,  D.  D.,  E.  M.  Green,  S.  W.  Davies,  C.  K.*^  CaldweU,  John  H. 
Eice,  D.  D.,  J.  Henry  Smith,  J.  W.  MHler,  D.  D.,  T.  A.  Hamilton, 
Thos.  H.  Shelby,  R.  A.  Fair,  and  J.  L.  Campbell. 

1870,  p.  519.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  memorial 
of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi,  upim  the  establishment  of  a  Church  Uni- 
versity, and  the  overtiu'es  of  certain  Presbyteries  on  the  same  subject, 
respectfully  report : 

In  relation  to  the  memorial,  they  submit  the  following  resolutions : 

licmhied,  That  this  General  Assembl}'  be  requested  to  recommend 
a  convention,  to  consist  of  one  representative  from  each  Presbytery,  to 
meet  at  8  p.  m.  on  the  Monday  before  the  opening  of  the  next  Assem- 
bly, at  Huntsville,  Alabama,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  whole 
educational  policy  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  together  with  this 
scheme  of  a  Southern  institution  common  to  the  whole  body,  and  to 
report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

Jiesolrcil,  That  the  committee  asked  for  in  the  above  memorial  be 
appointed  for  the  simple  purpose  of  calling  the  attention  of  the  several 
Presbyteries  to  the  above-mentioned  convention;  this  committee  to 
consist  of  tlie  Rev.  Drs.  J.  A.  Lyon  and  C.  A.  Stillman,  and  T.  A.  Ham- 
ilton, Es<:(. 

To  the  overtures  from  the  Presbyteries  of  West  Hanover,  of  Roan- 
oke, and  of  Memphis,  objecting  to  the  establishment  of  a  Church 
University,  and  suggesting  doubts  both  as  to  the  c(mstitutionahty  and 
expediency  of  the  same,  and  to  the  overture  from  the  Presbyters-  of 
AVestern  District,  calling  for  such  an  institution,  this  Assembly  gives 
answer :  That  a  scheme  so  vast  can  have  no  prospect  of  success  without 
the  hearty  co-operatic^n  of  the  entire  Church ;  and  that,  before  its  in- 
auguration, the  judgment  of  all  the  Presbyteries  should  be  obtained 
through  a  distinct  response  to  some  proposition  hereafter  to  be  sent 
down  to  them  for  that  purpose ;  and  that,  meanwhile,  the  Assembly 
does  nt)t  commit  the  Church  either  for  or  against  the  enterprise. 
Adopted. 

1871,  p.  9.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  X.  Waddel,  president  of  the  convention  on 
Education,  presented  and  read  the  report  adopted  by  that  body.  This 
report  was  received  and  referred  to  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  from 
each  S^-nod,  of  which  Rev.  D.  Wills,  D.  D.,  was  e-hai    rman. 


212  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

P.  16.  The  report  of  this  committee,  as  amended  and  adopted,  is  as. 
follows : 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  report  of  the  convention 
appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1870,  and  whose  biisiness  it  was 
to  consider  the  whole  subject  of  the  educational  policy  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  having  had  this  report  under  consideration,  and  having 
maturely  discussed  the  whole  matter,  after  full  expression  of  the  views 
of  the  members  of  the  committee,  beg  leave  to  offer  the  following  re- 
port for  the  action  of  the  Assembly : 

We  reconomend  that  the  Assembly  adopt,  as  the  dehverance  of  its 
own  \dews,  the  report  of  the  convention,  and  that  it  be  issued  in  the 
form  of  a  circular  letter  to  our  churches,  mutatis  mutandis,  as  follows : 

To  all  tlie  Churches  under  the  care  ofthe\Qeneral  Assemhly  of  the  Presbyterian  OJiurch 
■in  the  United  States— Or eeting : 
Beloved  Beethren  :  The  General  Assembly,  in  session  at  Huntsville,  Alabama, 
having  had  full  conference  and  comparison  of  views,  and  having  carefullj^  deliber- 
ated and  weighed  the  various  and  important  questions  connected  with  the  educa- 
tional policy  of  our  beloved  Church,  has  reached  with  entire  harmony  certain  well 
established  principles,  among  which  we  enumerate  the  following  : 

1.  The  promotion  of  the  great  work  of  Education  in  all  its  departments  is  now, 
as  in  all  our  past  history  it  has  been,  not  only  the  true  policy,  but  the  indispensable 
duty,  and  an  absolute  necessity  of  our  beloved  Zion. 

2.  This  necessity,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Assembly,  exists  not  only  in  reference  to 
the  preparation  of  our  young  men  for  the  ministry,  but  with  equal  certainty  as  it 
bears  ujion  the  training  of  the  entire  body  of  our  youth  for  their  future  career  in 
every  sphere  of  human  effort,  and  that  its  obligation  extends  to  both  sexes  alike. 

3.  While  there  may  exist  an  honest  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  precise 
form  of  control  whicli  should  be  maintained  over  this  great  interest,  there  is  a  happy 
unanimity  in  the  ssntiment  that  it  is  one  too  dear,  too  vital  to  us  as  a  Church,  to  be 
remitted  to  the  State,  to  other  communions,  or  to  any  irresponsible  body  of  edu- 
cators ;  that,  in  a  word,  the  education  of  our  children  can  be  safely  surrendered  to 
no  other  than  a  Presbyterian  influence. 

•±.  The  experience  of  many,  and  the  observance  of  all  who  have  read  the  signs  of 
the  times  intelligently,  have  revealed  the  fact  that  wherever  Presbyterian  parents 
have  failed  to  recognize  the  influence  of  these  principles  in  the  education  of  their 
children,  the  results  have  almost  invariably  proven  disastrous  to  the  interests  of  our 
branch  of  Christ's  Church. 

5.  Furthermore,  it  is  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  that  never  at  any  previous 
period  of  our  history  has  there  existed  a  more  pressing  demand  for  high  intellectual 
culture  under  Christian  influence  than  does  exist  at  the  present  time. 

G.  Therefore,  in  view  of  these  weighty  principles  and  facts,  this  Assembly,  desir- 
ous of  meeting  this  demand,  would  give  direction,  in  some  practical  method,  to  the 
minds  of  our  Presbyterian  peo^ile  in  regard  to  this  permanent  interest. 

With  reference  to  the  establishment  of  one  great  institution  of  the  higher  learn- 
ing, to  be  conducted  by  Presbyterians,  and  in  the  interest  of  Presbyterianism,  the 
judgment  of  this  Assembly  is  that  the  peoj^le  of  our  comnnuiion  at  large  are  not 
prei^ared  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  important  enteri^rise  of  putting  such  an  institu- 
tion into  immediate  operation.  It  is  believed  that  the  existing  want  of  harmony  of 
views,  and  the  apparent  absence  of  zeal  in  this  cause,  would  only  tend  to  mortify- 
ing failure  in  any  such  attempt  at  present;  while  the  fact  of  the  desolated  and  pov- 
erty-smitten state  of  our  jjeople  appeals  to  us  to  forbear  urgmg  iijion  their  atten- 
tion this  additional  claim  upon  their  resources. 

The  Assembly,  upon  a  general  view  of  this  whole  subject,  would  lay  before  the 
churches  the  following  recommendations : 

1.  The  AssemV)ly  earnestly  recommends  to  all  our  people  that  strong  efforts  be 
made  to  siistain  those  Presbyterian  colleges  already  in  operation,  to  aid  them  by 
such  pecuniary  contributions  as  they  may  feel  able  to  bestow,  so  that  they  may  all 
be  placed  upon  a  permanent  and  self-sustaining  basis. 

2.  The  Assembly  would  recommend  that  to  this  end  the  multiplication  of  such 
institutions  be  not  encouraged,  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  those  Synods  adjacent  to 
such  colleges  be  urged  to  concentrate  upon  them  their  interest,  their  means,  their 
patronage,  and  their  prayers,  and  in  this  way  most  effectually  aid  them  in  supply- 


Secs.  376, 377.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtjech.  213 

in^  the  want  now  manifestly  existing  of  a  species  of  education  not  fully  attainable 
■with  our  present  means. 

3.  The  AssemV)ly  deems  it  timely  to  speak  a  word  of  encouragment  to  those  of 
our  brethren  engaged  in  the  education  of  young  ladies,  and  to  exhort  oiir  people 
to  send  their  daughters  to  institutions  where  their  moral  and  religious  training  will 
be  in  accordance  with  the  faith  of  their  fathere. 

4.  Inasmuch  as  this  Assembly  has  reason  to  believe  there  may  be  in  some  parts 
of  our  Zion  benevolent  individuals  of  large  means  and  large  hearts,  who  desire  and 
prefer  to  invest  a  portion  of  their  wealth  in  the  particular  form  of  a  great  uni- 
ver.sity,  such  oiferings  of  benevolence  should  be  encouraged,  and  the  Assembly 
feels  called  upon  to  provide  some  authoritative  and  responsible  place  of  reception 
for  these  funds  to  be  held  in  sacred  trust  for  this  purpose,  giiarded  by  every  se- 
curity i:)0ssible,  and  prudently  invested. 

5.  The  Assembly,  therefore,  in  the  exercise  of  its  best  judgment,  deems  it  wisest 
for  the  present  to  designate  its  Board  of  Trustees  as  such  authorized  body  for  the 
reception  and  management  of  all  such  funds,  and  recommends  to  all  the  benevo- 
lent among  our  people  that  they  entrust  their  offerings  for  this  object  to  that  body, 
to  be  held  l)y  them  in  trust  until  such  time  as  a  suitable  university  may  be  organ- 
ized under  the  sanction  of  some  future  Assembly ;  to  which  future  Assembly  the 
qiiestion  of  the  nature  of  control  over  said  university  is  to  be  left. 

6.  Finally,  the  Assembly  earnestly  commends  oui-  educational  interests  to  the 
prayers  and  benefactions  of  our  people,  praying  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
may  put  it  into  their  hearts  to  "devise  "  wisely  "liberal  things." 

376.  Maryville   College. 

1870,  p.  510.  Yoiu"  committee  have  received  a  statement  from  Hon. 
Jesse  G.  Wallace  in  relation  to  MaryNdlle  College,  an  institution  founded 
for  the  training  of  students  for  the  ministry,  formerly  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  United  Synod,  which  we  herewith  submit,  and  recommend 
that  it  be  referred  to  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  with  in- 
structions to  investigate  the  claim  therein  mentioned,  and  to  take  such 
steps  as  to  them  may  seem  expedient  and  proper  to  assert  and  secure 
the  rights  of  this  General  Assembly  in  the  premises.     Adopted. 

187*2,  p.  210.  It  appears  that  the  college  was  founded  in  1819  by 
the  S^oiod  of  Tennessee,  and  at  first  was  called  the  Southern  and  Wes- 
tern Theological  Seminary,  afterwards  IMaryville  College.  It  seems  to 
have  been  incorporated,  having  a  constitution  which  was  adopted  by 
the  said  Synod,  one  of  the  provisions  of  which  was,  that  the  trustees 
and  professors  should  be  members  in  ftill  communion  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church.  The  board  of  trustees  consists  of  thirty-six  members, 
two-thirds  ministers  and  one-third  laymen.  The  said  Synod  has  the 
sole  power  of  appointing  the  trustees.  It  seems  that  the  legal  right 
to  the  property  is  in  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  or  the  trustees  appointed 
by  the  said  Synod ;  that  our  Church  never  has  had,  and  is  not  hkely 
to  have,  any  right  to  the  property. 

377.   Sayre  Veniale  Institute. 

1870,  p.  523.  A  memorial  from  David  A.  Sap-e,  Esq.,  of  Kentucky, 
was  presented  and  referred  to  a  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  J.  E. 
Spillman,  H.  H.  Hopkins,  D.  D.,  T.  H.  Shelby,  T.  A.  Hamilton,  and  R. 
A.  Fair. 

P.  52(5.  This  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  adopted,  and, 
omitting  the  i)reamble,  is  as  follows : 

Mesolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  memorialist  be  granted ;  and  that 
this  Assembly  does  hereb}'  give  its  sanction  and  approval  of  the  said 
deed   of  April  20th,  1870 ;  and  orders  that,  for  convenience  of  refer- 


214  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

ence  to  the  facts  upon  which  this  action  is  based,  said  memorial,  with 
the  acts  of  the  Legislature  and  the  deeds  and  certificates  accompany- 
ing the  same,  be  pubhshed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  jMinutes  of  the  As- 
sembly. 

Resolved,  That  this  action  is  not  to  be  understood  as  in  any  way 
committing  the  Assembly  to  all  or  any  of  the  statements  of  said  me- 
morial touching  the  divisions  of  the  Church,  or  the  healing  of  those 
divisions  past  or  prospective^  but  simply  as  the  expression  of  a  desire 
on  the  part  of  the  Assembly  not  to  trammel  or  restrain  the  memorialist 
in  the  control  of  an  institution  founded  solely,  and  sustained  in  part  at 
least,  by  his  own  funds. 

This  fiction  is  not  so  expressed  as  to  convey  an  idea  of  what  was  coutemi^lated. 
The  facts  were  these :  Mr.  D.  A.  Sayre,  in  Jiily,  1860,  conveyed  to  triistees  certain 
property  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  for  the  i3uri30ses  of  a  female  institute.  This  institute 
was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  iu  1856,  and  its  charter  was  amended  in  1861  and 
1870.  The  deed  was  designed  to  seciire  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  institute  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  described  in  the  deed  as  ' '  successors  of  the  Rochester  Assem- 
bly, "  i.  e. ,  the  Old  School  Church. 

In  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Sayre  the  purjioses  of  said  deed  were  in  danger  of  being 
defeated  by  the  ecclesiastical  changes  that  had  taken  place  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  since  its  execution.  Both  Northern  and  Southern  Assemblies  might  claim 
to  be  such  successors.  To  prevent  this  result,  and  place  the  institutiim  which  he 
had  founded  in  such  a  position  that  it  would  be  free  from  danger  of  litigation,  he 
executed,  in  April,  187t),  a  second  deed.  By  this  he  made  the  Board  of  Trustees 
self -perpetuating,  stipulating,  however,  that  two-thirds  of  the  number  of  trustees 
must  be  members  of  some  Presbyterian  church  in  Fayette  county,  Ky.,  and  that 
the  principal  of  the  institute  should  be  a  member  of  some  Presbyterian  church  in 
the  United  States.  Mr.  Sayre  thought  that  this  action  would  eventually  secure  the 
benetits  of  the  institute  to  the  Presbyterian  Chiu-ch,  and  while  it  removed  the 
school  from  ecclesiastical  control,  would  unite  both  sides  of  the  Church  in  its  sup- 
port. The  object  of  the  memorial,  which  was  sent  to  both  Northern  and  Southern 
Assemblies,  was  to  request  the  Assemblies  to  relinquish  any  rights  of  property 
which,  by  any  construction  of  his  first  deed,  might  be  vested  in  them.  As  seen 
above,  the  Southern  Assembly  at  once  granted  the  request.  The  Northern  Assem- 
bly declined  or  neglected  to  take  similar  action.  After  Mr.  Sayre's  death  the  me- 
morial to  the  Northern  Church  was  renewed  by  his  nephew,  but  it  was  not 
granted. 

The  time  within  which  it  would  have  been  jiossible  to  contest  the  deed  of  Mr.  D. 
A.  Sayre  has  passed,  and  the  last  deed  must  now  stand.  Both  memorials  were  ac- 
companied by  a  promise  to  endow  the  institution  in  the  additional  sum  of  $20,000, 
if  the  memorial  should  be  granted  by  both  Assemblies. — A. 

378.   7Vifi  J^loHda  Land  Company. 

1886,  p.  56.  Your  committee  had  information  laid  before  it,  show- 
ing that  a  land  company,  which  owns  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Walton 
count}',  Florida,  was  proceeding  to  subdivide  and  lay  out  and  improve 
its  lands  in  such  manner  as  to  attract  settlers,  and  that  a  considerable 
settlement  of  Scotch  Presbyterians  were  already  permanently  located 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  said  lands  ;  and  that  said  company  has  of- 
fered to  donate  and  convey  forty  acres  of  its  lands  to  the  Trustees  of 
the  General  Assembly  upon  condition  that  the  General  Assembly  should 
pi'ovide,  witliin  three  years  from  the  date  of  the  grant,  that  as  much  as 
six  thovisand  dollars  should  be  expended  in  erecting  upon  the  tract 
granted  buildings  adapted  for  educational  or  church  purposes.  There- 
fore, 

Remlved  (1,)  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  be  directed  to  accept  the 
foi't}'  acres  of  land  offered  by  the  Florida  Land  Comi)any,  near  l3e  Fvi- 
niak  (Springs,  Walton  coimty,  Florida,  upon  the  conditions  specified  in 


Secs.  379,  380.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  215 

the  offer  of  said  company;  and  that  Eev.  "\Vm.  Adams,  D.  D.,  Wm.  C. 
Sibley,  and  S.  M.  Inman  be  a^jpointed  a  committee  to  raise  the  funds, 
and  other\Yise  aiTauge  for  the  improvement  of  the  property,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  conditions  of  the  grant. 

Hesolred  (2,)  That  this  General  Assembly  instruct  its  Board  of  Tiiis- 
tees  to  accept  the  ofier  made  by  the  land  company  of  AValton  county, 
Florida,  of  the  forty  acres  of  land  tendered,  under  the  conditions  spe- 
cified. 

1887,  p.  242.  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans  asked  the  Assembly  to 
recede  from  the  proposition  to  accept  these  lands.  Reply :  For  the 
purj^ose  of  obtaining  fuller  information  on  this  matter,  the  ovei"ture  is 
referred  to  the  next  Assembly  for  answer. 

379.  lieceipts  and  dlshursements  to  he  2^'>'wted, 

1881,  p.  375.  The  auditing  committee  recommend  that  hereafter 
the  reports  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  funds  of  this  ex- 
ecutive committee  (Education)  be  printed  for  tlie  use  of  the  Assembly. 
Adopted. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARIES. 

380.   Columbia  Seminary  transferred  to  General  Assembly. 

1863,  p.  125.  Wm.  L.  Mitchell,  in  behalf  of  a  committee  appointed 
by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Synod  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  presented  the  following  paper,  as  formally 
tendering  said  Seminary  to  the  Assembly,  together  with  other  papers 
germane  thereto,  which  were  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on 
Theological  Seminaries : 

Columbia,  S.  C,  May  9,  1863. 
To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  (Jhnrch  in  the  Confede- 
rate States  of  America : 

The  undersigned  were  apiDomted  a  committee  by  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  the  Theological  Semiuaiy  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  to  carry  into  effect  the  unanimous  desire  of  the  three  Synods 
of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Alabama,  in  relation  to  the  transfer  of 
said  Seminary  to  yoiu*  venerable  body,  and  to  offer  to  you  the  same, 
with  aU  its  interests,  and  the  exercise  of  the  like  control  over  the  insti- 
tution and  its  affairs  which  is  now  exercised  by  the  Synods. 

In  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  the  imdersigned  herewith  present,  as 
parts  of  this  communication,  a  certified  copy  of  the  action  of  the  board 
of  tlirectors,  under  the  hand  of  the  president  and  secretary  of  the 
board ;  a  printed  copy  of  the  constitution  of  the  Seminary :  a  copy  of 
the  Act  of  Incorporation,  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  South  CaroUna 
in  1832,  and  renewed  and  amended  in  1854,  as  found  in  the  statutes  of 
South  CaroHna,  and  a  general  statement  of  the  property,  assets,  and  en- 


216  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

dowments  of  tlie  Seminaiy,  from  which  can  be  imderstood  what  is  the 
•extent  and  present  condition  of  the  trust  now  oifered  the  Assembly. 

By  reference  to  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  directors,  it  will  be 
noticed  that,  by  the  terms  of  the  thiixl.  resolution,  when  the  General  As- 
sembly accepts  the  trust  now  tendered,  then  and  thereupon  the  Assem- 
bly becomes  ^pso  facto  substituted  in  all  respects  in  the  place  of  the 
three  S^Tiods,  and  is  invested  with  all  the  authority  and  control  over 
the  Seminary. 

Having  thus  discharged  the  duty  assigned,  the  undersigned  have  the 
honor  to  subscribe  themselves,  with  sentiments  of  profound  respect  for 
yoiu"  venerable  body. 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

Wm.  L.  Mitchell, 
J.  Leighton  Wilson, 
D.  D.  Sanderson, 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  TJirectors  of  the  Seminary. 

P.  142.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries  would 
respectfully  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  that  certain  papers  in  ref- 
erence to  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia  have  been  placed  in  their  hands,  and  certain  facts  commimi- 
cated  to  them,  of  such  importance  as  to  demand  the  earnest  attention 
of  the  Assembly.  These  papers  ai'e  as  follows:  (Here  follows  a  de- 
scription of  the  papers.) 

P.  143.  Yoiu'  committee,  after  careful  consideration  of  this  impor- 
tant subject,  feel  prepared  to  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly 
at  once  accept  the  trust  thus  offered  by  the  board,  of  the  Seminary  and 
all  its  interests,  and  that  the  Assembly  assume  and  exercise  henceforth 
the  same  control  over  the  institution  and  its  affairs  which  has  been 
hitherto  exercised  by  the  Synods  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Ala- 
bama, upon  the  conditions  specified  in  the  form  of  transfer,  viz. :  "  That 
there  shall  be  no  change  in  the  locality  of  the  Seminaiy,  and  that  the 
funds  thereof  shall  be  kept  distinct  and  entirely  separate  from  all 
others ;  "  and  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  The  reasons  existing  for  objection  to  surrendering  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Clim-ch  in  the  United  States  the  control 
of  this  Seminary  are  not  in  existence  as  regards  the  Assembly  of  the 
Confederate  States,  as  we  are  now  a  homogeneous  people,  and  there  is 
no  danger  of  the  evils  which  would  have  threatened  the  Seminary  under 
our  connection  with  that  body. 

2.  The  transfer  of  the  Seminary  to  the  General  Assembly  will  have 
a  tendency  to  extend  its  influence  for  good  over  a  wider  field,  and  to 
concentrate  upon  it  the  affections  of  a  larger  number  of  our  people. 

3.  The  Synods  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Alabama,  have  unani- 
mously expressed  the  desire  that  the  transfer  be  made  at  the  earliest 
day  practicable. 

4.  Legal  gentlemen  of  eminent  ability,  to  whom  the  question  of 
rights  of  property  involved  in  the  proposed  transfer  was  submitted, 
have  decided  that  there  is  no  legal  difficulty  to  hinder  said  transfer. 

It  is,  therefore,  the  earnest  recommendation  of  the  committee,  that 
the  General  Assembly  do  immediately  accept  the  tender  of  this  Semi- 
nary, thus  made  by  the  Synods,  and  undertake  the  management  and 
control  of  its  affairs,  according  to  the  constitution  herewith  presented. 

Should  it  be  the  pleasure  of  the  Assembly  to  accept  the  trust  thus 


Secs.  381,  382.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitrch.  217 

oifered,  then  yonr  t-ommittee  further  recommend  the  adoption  of  the 
following  constitution  for  the  government  of  the  Seminary. 

(Here  the  constitution  was  read.) 

This  rejwrt  was  adopted,  as  was  also  the  constitution  that  was  read. 
(P.  142.) 

P.  148.  The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries,  in  obedience  to 
instructions  from  the  General  Assemloly,  have  had  before  them  for  their 
consideration,  certain  matters  connected  with  the  transfer  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  f)f  the  S}Tiod/jf  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  to  the 
General  Assembly,  the  proper  an-angement  of  which  is  necessary  to  the 
completion  of  the  transfer,  and  beg  leave  to  offer  to  the  Assembly  the 
following  recommendations  as  the  result  of  their  dehberations : 

1.  The  committee  recommend  that  the  Assembly  proceed  to  appoint, 
as  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Seminaiy,  the  following  persons : 

Andrew  Crawford,  treasurer.  3Iinixtfrs:  Eev.  John  Douglas,  Pev. 
J.  R.  WHson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Samuel  H. 
Hay,  Rev.  E.  P.  Palmer,  Rev.  Rulus  K.  Porter,  Rev.  W.  Banks.  Rul- 
in<i  Ekh'.rs:  Hon.  T.  C.  Perriu,  Hon.  J.  A.  Inghs,  J.  A.  Ansley, 
Esq. 

That  the  board  also  be  recommended  by  the  Assembly  to  meet  at  as 
eaiiy  a  day  as  practicable,  at  the  call  of  IMr.  Perrin,  late  chairman,  for 
the  purj^ose  of  completing  their  organization,  and  that  in  the  mean- 
time the  present  investing  committees  continue  in  office  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  appointed. 

2.  In  reference  to  the  vacant  professorship  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology,  the  committee  recommend  that  Rev.  Dr.  Pahner  be  appointed 
to  till  that  chaii'  provisionally,  for  one  year. 

3.  The  committee  recommend  that  the  salary  of  eveiy  professor  of 
this  Seminary  be  fixed  at  the  sum  of  S3,000,  and  that  the  board  of  di- 
rectors be  directed  to  make  all  the  requisite  financial  arrangements. 

4.  The  committee  recommend  that  the  following  articles  be  added, 
one  of  them  to  the  third  section  of  the  constitution,  and  the  other  to 
the  thirteenth  section.     (See  Constitution.) 

5.  That  the  B(jard  of  Directors  be  required  to  have  the  constitution 
of  the  Seminary  printed  in  pamphlet  form. 

This  report  was  adopted.     (P.  154.) 

381.  IVie  constitution  of  the  Seminary  changed. 

As  the  constitution  is  nowhere  found  in  the  iMiniites  of  the  Assembly,  and  as  the 
various  chan!j;es  that  from  time  to  time  were  made  in  it  by  the  Assembly  are  unin- 
telligible as  given  in  the  Minutes,  unless  one  had  the  printed  constitution  with  the 
BUC(^essive  drafts  lieforo  him,  and  as  the  Assembly  in  1881  remitted  the  ownership 
and  control  of  the  institution  to  the  associated  Synods,  we  will  not  here  supply  the 
record  of  changes  in  the  constitution  found  in  the  Minutes,  but  simplv  give  the  re- 
ferences, viz. :  1864,  p.  281  ;  18G6,  p.  21;  1875,  p.  30;  1877,  pp.  436, '-139. —A. 

382.   Condition  of  the  Seminary. 

1863,  p.  142.  Abridged :  From  papere  laid  before  the  Assembly,  it  appears  that 
Columbia  Seminary  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of  South  Carolina,  Decemlier 
20th,  1832,  and  that  the  pmperty,  assets,  and  eudowmi'uts  of  the  Seminary,  includ- 
ing the  endowment  of  ])ri)fessorslii])s,  legacies,  scholarships,  foundations,  real  es- 
tate, and  library,  amount  to  ^277,940.81,  exclusive  of  the  Perkins  foundation  for 
the  relief  of  disabled  miuistei-s  of  the  gospel,  their  widows  and  orphans,  which  fund 
is  vested  in  the  board  of  directors,  but  forms  no  part  of  the  productive  funds  or 
property  of  the  Seminary. 


218  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

■  1864,  p.  295.  Whole  amoimt  of  fnuds  permaneutly  invested  is  ^262,024.82. 
The  income  derived  from  the  funds  invested  for  the  professorships  is  ample  for 
paying  the  salaries  (.f3,0()()),  regularly,  as  they  fall  due.  The  Library  fund  jaelds 
an  interest  of  i^l-H),  annually;  the  fund  for  contingent  expense^  yields  an  interest  of 
$81G,  annually;  and  the  Perkins  donations  yield  an  annual  interest  of  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  for  each  object  of  the  bounty  (l  e.,  for  disabled  ministers  and  educa- 
tion of  pious  youth).     The  Seminary  is  out  of  debt. 

I860,  p.  404.  The  treasurer  reports  that  of  the  investments  of  the  Seminary, 
only  about  $69,000  can  be  regarded  as  solvent,  owing  to  the  overthrow  of  the  Con- 
federate Government.     The  buildings  and  library  have,  been  saved. 

1866,  IX  59.  The  board  judged  that  -f 95, 500  of  its  funds  had  been  saved. 
Thirty  thousand  dollars  of  the  $40,000  belonging  to  the  Perkins  professorship,  be- 
ing invested  in  Mobile  bonds,  have  been  saveil ;  the  remainder  was  lost.  The  Per- 
kins fund  for  the  support  of  disabled  ministers  and  their  families,  and  for  the  edu- 
cation of  pious  young  men,  having  been  received  in  Confederate  funds,  has  been 
totally  lost. 

383.  Endo^cment  of  Cohnnbia  Setninary. 

1865,  p.  373.  Resolved,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  General  As- 
sembly, it  is  very  imj^ortant  that  the  directors  of  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Colmnbia  shall  at  once  enter  upon  the  work  of  re-endowing  the 
professorships  of  that  institution. 

.Resolved,  That  the  churches  and  Presbyteries  be  urged  to  sustain 
this  prime  interest  of  our  Seminary,  and  that  their  gifts  and  contribu- 
tions be  prompt  and  liberal. 

18G6,  p.  58.  The  board  of  directors  has  come  to  the  conclusion,  that 
a  general  call  uj^on  the  churches  to  raise  the  means  to  sustain  the  pro- 
fessors for  the  next  3'ear  is  not  likely  to  be  successful ;  and  having  as- 
ceiiained  that  about  four  thousand  dollars,  in  addition  to  the  means  in 
the  hands  of  your  treasurer,  will  be  needed  for  this  purpose,  it  has  de- 
termined to  make  the  call  special  and  specific,  and  has  therefore  adopted 
a  series  of  resolutions,  the  objects  embraced  in  which  are  commended 
to  the  favorable  consideratiem  of  the  S}Tiods  mentioned :  which  being 
revised  and  amended,  are  as  follows : 

"  JResolved,  1,  That  in  the  present  unsettled  and  imj)overished  con- 
dition of  the  country,  it  is  not  thought  expedient  to  inaugurate  any  gen- 
eral scheme  to  raise  funds  among  the  churches  for  the  re-endowment 
of  the  Seminary;  but  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Synods  hereto- 
fore co-operating  in  the  support  of  the  Seminaiy,  to  raise  each,  in  its 
resj^ective  bounds,  and  by  such  agency  as  may  be  thought  best,  the  sum 
of  one  thousand  dollars,  to  supplement  the  salaries  of  four  pro- 
fessors. 

"  2.  That  in  order  to  carry  this  measure  into  efifect.  Dr.  Howe  and 
the  Eev.  William  Eanks  be  appointed  a  committee  to  attend  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina ;  Dr.  Woodrow,  Eev.  Rufus  K. 
Porter,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Wilson,  the  Synod  of  Georgia:  Drs.  Adger, 
StiUman,  and  J.  L.  Wilson,  the  Synod  of  Alabama ;  and  Drs.  Palmer 
and  Lyon,  the  Synod  of  Mississippi. 

"3.  That  the  ladies  throughout  all  our  chiu'ches,  be  earnestly  re- 
quested to  engage  in  raising  funds,  in  any  way  that  may  be  thought 
best,  for  the  support  of  indigent  young  men  who  may  be  engaged  in 
the  prosecution  of  their  theological  studies;  and  that  the  pastors  of  the 
churches  be  requested  to  aid  the  ladies  by  their  advice  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  this  undertaking. 

"  4.  That  the  Eev.  Messrs.  Dwight  AVitherspoon,  of  Memphis,  Tenn., 


Sec.  384.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  219 

Thomas  E.  Welch,  of  Little  Eock,  Ark.,  Nicholas  Chevalier,  of  Gon- 
zales, Texas,  be  requested  to  sohcit  contributions  in  their  respective 
Synods,  as  they  may  have  opportunity,  for  the  general  use  of  the  Sem- 
inary. 

"  5.  That,  while  adopting  the  above  plan  to  relieve  the  immediate 
pressing  wants  of  the  Seminaiy,  the  board  would  nevertheless  urge 
such  indi^'iduals  in  the  churches  as  may  have  the  means,  to  make  con- 
tributions for  the  permanent  endowment  of  the  Seminary  ;  and  they 
would  therefore  recjuest  Drs.  Joseph  E.  "Wilson,  James  A.  Lyon,  B.  M. 
Palmer,  and  J.  E.  Biu'gett,  to  act  as  a  committee  to  raise  funds  tor  the 
permanent  endowment  of  the  Seminary." 

These  appointments,  in  resolutions  2  and  5,  were  endorsed  by  the 
Assembly.     (P.  21.) 

P.  21.  Since  the  annual  repoi-t  was  made,  the  Seminaiy's  fimds  have 
been  increased  b}'  the  unsolicited  donation  of  $18,000  by  thi'ee  Chris- 
tian friends  not  connected  with  our  Church. 

Bv  Mav,  1867,  the  permanent  fund  had  been  increased  by  S1G,073. 
(See'^p.  1G9.) 

18GS,  p.  301.  Extract  from  report  of  the  board  of  directors:  The 
treasurer's  report  shows  that,  from  May,  1867,  to  May,  1868,  the  sum 
of  $6,944  has  been  received  from  all  sources,  exclusive  of  the  income 
of  the  Perkins  professorship.  The  sum  of  §2,250  has  been  added  to 
the  permanent  endowment  since  oiu*  last  repori. 

Those  professors  whose  support  depends  in  large  part  upon  contri- 
butions from  the  churches  have  generously  and  voluntarily  relinquished 
a  large  portion  of  the  salaries  that  remained  unpaid  and  was  due  them 
January  1st,  1868,  and  in  a  similar  sjHrit  of  self-denial  solicited  and 
obtained  the  consent  of  the  board  to  request  the  Assembly  that  theii' 
salaries  be  reduced  by  that  bod}'  from  $3,000  to  $2,500.  This  request 
was  approved  and  sanctioned  by  the  Assembly.     (P.  268). 

In  this  manner  the  Seminary  is  out  of  debt. 

1869,  p.  417.  Pecuniarily  there  has  been  no  embaiTassment  experi- 
enced, owing  to  the  liberal  contributions  made  to  us  by  many  clnu'ches 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Synods  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama, 
[Mississippi,  and  ^Memphis.  From  this  source  the  sum  of  $6,452  has 
been  received,  which,  added  to  the  sum  of  $4,128,  received  from  invest- 
ments, has  placed  at  oiu'  disposal  an  amount  more  than  sufficient  for 
all  ovu'  immediate  habilities. 

384.   21ie  removal  of  Columbia  Seminary. 

1866,  \},  32.  The  following  resolution  was  introduced,  discussed, 
and  indefinitely  postpt  med :  That  a  committee  be  ai)pointed  to  ttxke  the 
necessary  steps,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Synods  of  South  Can)Una, 
Georgia,  and  Alabama,  as  soon  as  practicable,  for  the  removal  of  the 
Theological  Semiujxry  at  Columbia  to  some  ix)int  west  of  the  line  di- 
viding the  States  of  Alabama  and  Georgia. 

P.  22.  This  movement  would  require  the  consent  of  the  Synods  of 
South  Canjlina,  Georgia,  and  Alabama. 

1876,  p.  217.  Overture  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  calling  attention 
to  the  fact  that  there  is  no  theological  seminary  connected  Avitli  our 
Chiu'ch  west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  and  asking  that  the  General 


220  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Assembly  consider  the  propriety  of  removing  the  Seminary  at  Columbia 
to  some  point  in  the  West. 

Your  committee  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  this  proposition 
for  the  removal  of  the  Seminary  at  Columbia  should  not  be  entertained 
at  the  jDresent  time.     Adopted. 

385.  Election  and  inauguration  ofprofessors  at  Columbia. 

1863,  p.  149.  Eev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology,  provisionally,  for  one  year. 

1864,  p.  285.  Dr.  Palmer  vpas  in  a  similar  manner  appointed  for 
another  year.  Dr.  Leland  was  appointed  professor  emeritus,  at  the 
same  salary  hitherto  paid  him. 

1866,  p.  26.  Rev.  Wilham  S.  Plumer  was  elected  professor  of  Di- 
dactic and  Polemic  Theology.  This  election  was  made  unanimous,  and 
Drs.  Howe,  Adgei',  Palmer,  and  Cunningham  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  give  Dr.  Plumer  official  information  of  his  election. 

1867,  p.  142.  The  pledge  required  by  the  constitution  of  the  Semi- 
nary having  been  signed  by  the  professor,  a  charge  was  addressed  to 
him,  in  the  name  of  the  Assembly,  by  the  Rev.  James  A.  Lyon,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Plumer  then  delivered  an  inaugural  address  appropriate  to  the 
occasion ;  after  which  the  moderator  declared  him  duly  inaugurated  as 
professor  in  the  Seminary  aforesaid. 

1870,  p.  515.  The  order  of  the  day,  viz. :  nominations  for  a  profes- 
sor to  be  elected  to  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia,  was  taken 
up,  when,  under  the  standing  rule  of  the  Assembly,  they  united  in 
prayer  for  the  Divine  direction  in  this  matter.  By  request  of  the  mod- 
erator, the  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  led  the  Assembl}'  in  this 
ser-\dce.  Nominations  were  then  made  of  persons  deemed  suitable  for 
the  office  above  mentioned,  as  follows:  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D., 
Rev.  J.  A.  Lefe^Te,  Rev.  John  H.  Rice,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon, 
D.  D.,  and  Rev.  H.  H.  Hopkins,  D.  D. 

P.  517.  Leave  was  given  to  withdraw  the  names  of  the  Rev.  Drs. 
Hopkins,  Rice,  and  Witherspoon.  The  Assembly  having,  by  vote,  re- 
fused to  allow  the  name  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Lefevre  to  be  withdrawn,  as  had 
been  suggested  by  some  of  the  commissioners,  the  vote  was  then  taken 
by  ballot,  and  the  following  result  announced  bv  the  moderator :  For 
the  Rev.  Joseph  R.  W^ilson,  D.  D.,  67 ;  for  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Lefevre.  33 : 
whereupon  Dr.  Wilson  was  declared  to  be  duly  elected.  His  election 
was  made  unanimous.  Messrs.  Green  and  McMaster  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  inform  Dr.  Wilson  of  his  appointment  i6  this  office,  and 
to  request  his  acceptance  of  the  same. 

1871,  J).  21.  The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  viz. :  the  inaugura- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  as  professor  of  Pastoral  and  t 
Evangelistic  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Columbia.  The  official  coiTosj)ondence  connected  with  his  elec- 
tion was  read,  showing  that  he  had  accepted  the  professorship  to  which 
he  was  elected  by  the  last  General  Assembly. 

The  prcjfessor  elect  then  recited  and  signed  the  pledge  prescribed  in 
the  plan  of  the  institution;  after  which  he  was  declared  by  the  mod- 
erator to  have  heew  duly  inducted  into  office.  The  Rev.  Thos.  E.  Peck, 
D.  D.,  delivered  an  appropriate  charge;  after  which  Dr.  Wilson  deliv- 
ered an  inaugural  address  suitable  to  the  occasion. 


Sec.  385.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitrch.  221 

1874,  p.  519.  The  Assembly  then  proceeded,  at  9  o'clock,  to  the 
election  of  a  professor  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia ;  and 
the  vote,  which  was  taken  by  ballot,  resulted  in  the  election  of  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Martin,  of  Danville,  Virginia,  which  appointment  was  made 
unanimous  by  a  rising  vote,  and  the  Rev.  Drs.  Howe  and  Plumer  were 
appointed  to  inform  him  of  his  election,  and  endeavor  to  sec;ure  his  ac- 
ceptance. It  was  also  resolved  that,  in  case  Mr.  Martin  should  decline 
to  iiccept  this  apj^uintmeut,  the  board  of  directors  are  hereby  empow- 
ered to  supply  that  department  (jf  instructicjn  for  the  year. 

The  cliair  to  whicli  Dr.  Martin  was  elected  was  Chnrcli  Governmeut  and  History. 
The  professo'rship  was  not  accepted. — A. 

1875,  p.  34.  Dr.  Plumer  having,  on  account  of  increasing  age,  sub- 
mitted a  letter  in  which  he  resigned  the  chair  of  Theology,  and  ex- 
pressed his  willingness  to  be  transferred  to  a  chair  to  be  called  here- 
after the  chair  of  Pastoral,  Casuistic  and  Historic  Theology,  the  follow- 
ing was  adopted: 

In  oiu-  judgment  the  assignment  of  Dr.  Plumer,  at  his  own  sugges- 
tion, to  the  chair  indicated  in  his  letter,  would  give  to  the  Seminary 
the  full  benefit  of  Dr.  Plumer's  matured  wisdom,  rich  experience,  and 
great  ability  in  that  department,  to  which  he  has  especially  devoted  a 
large  part  of  his  life ;  and  while  we  say,  with  profound  gratitude  to  God, 
that  the  bow  of  this  eminent,  beloved  servant  of  the  Master  still  abides 
in  strength,  we  yet  believe  that  the  chair  to  which  he  will  be  assigned 
requires  the  full  strength  of  any  man;  therefore, 

Mesolved,  1,  That  the  name  of  the  chair  called  the  chau'  of  Pastoral 
and  Evangehstic  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  be  changed  to  that  of 
Pastoral,  Casuistic,  and  Historic  Theology. 

2.  That  Rev.  William  S.  Plumer,  D.  D.,  be  transferred  to  the  chair* 
of  Pastoral,  Casuistic,  and  Historic  Theology. 

3.  That  all  the  action  taken  this  morning,  with  reference  to  the  elec- 
tion of  a  professor  of  Church  Government  and  HistoiT,  be  re-con- 
sidered. 

4.  That  the  Assembly,  at  this  meeting,  proceed  to  nominate  and  elect 
a  professor  to  tiU  the  chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology. 

5.  That  the  duty  of  giving  instruction  in  Church  Histor}-,  Chiu'ch 
Government,  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  be  for  the  present  divided  among 
the  other  professors  as  they  ma}'  find  most  convenient. 

P.  35.  Rev.  John  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D.,  was,  by  a  rising  vote,  unani- 
mouslj^  elected  to  the  chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology. 

P.  38.  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  and  J.  L.  Marye  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  inform  Di'.  Girardeau  of  his  election,  and  confer  with 
him  concerning  his  acceptance. 

187G,  p.  214.  The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  viz. :  the  inaugura- 
tion of  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D.,  as  professor  of  Didactic  and  Pol- 
emic Theology  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia.  The  pledge 
required  by  the  constitution  of  the  Seminary  having  been  signed  by  the 
professor,  he  delivered  an  inaugural  addi-ess ;  after  which  a  chai'ge 
was  addressed  to  him,  in  the  name  of  the  Assembly,  by  the  Rev.  Stuart 
Robinson,  D.  D.,  and  the  moderator  declared  him  duly  installed  as 
professor  in  the  Seminary  aforesaid. 

Dr.  Girardeau's  interesting  letter  of  acceptance  is  found  on  page  209 
of  the  Minutes. 


222  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1877,  p.  439.  By  a  change  in  the  constitution  the  Assembly  lodged 
with  the  board  of  directors  the  power  of  electuig  professors,  reserving 
the  right  of  review  and  approval. 

1881,  p.  362.  The  directors  having  elected  Dr.  Palmer  to  a  chair  in 
the  Seminary  (p.  416),  it  was 

Mesolved,  That  the  Assembly  heartily  endorses  the  selection  of  Rev. 
B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  to  the  professorship  of  Pastoral  Theology  in  the 
Seminary.' 

(Other  elections  are  elsewhere  noted.) 

386.  Resifjnation  of  jyrofessorships. 

1874,  p.  496.  On  this  aud  the  succeeding  pages  are  letters  from  Rev.  Drs.  J.  R. 
Wilson  aud  J.  B.  Adger,  resigning  their  chairs  and  assigning  reasons  therefor.  Dr. 
Girardeau  also  resigned  his  office  as  a  director.  These  resignations  are  mainly  be- 
cause of  dissatisfaction  with  the  action  of  the  Assembly  on  compulsory  attendance 
at  chajjel  services. 

387.    Attendance  upon  chajyel  services  at   Columbia  Seminary  to  he 

voluntary. 

1874,  p.  489.  The  report  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Theological 
Seminaries  was  presented  Also  a  minority  report  was  presented  in 
behalf  of  Messrs.  George  A.  Caldwell  and  L.  H.  Wilson.  These  re- 
ports were  received,  and  a  motion  was  made  that  the  report  of  the 
committee  be  amended  by  adding  to  it  the  paper  presented  by  the 
minority. 

P.  490.  The  unfinished  business  was  taken  up,  and  Eev.  Dr.  Pratt 
offered  a  substitute  for  the  paper  coffered  by  the  minority. 

P.  492.  Rev.  Mr.  Caldwell  obtained  leave  to  withdraw  the  minority 
report.  Mr.  C.  F.  Collier  then  offered  a  paper,  to  be  added  as  an 
amendment  to  the  report  of  the  majority,  and  as  a  substitute  for  this 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Farris  offered  the  paper  which  was  offered  on  Wednesday 
b}'  Dr.  Pratt,  as  a  substitute  for  the  paper  offered  by  Mr.  Collier.  This 
paper  is  as  foUows : 

While  the  General  Assembly  refrains  from  expressing  an  opuiion 
respecting  the  original  intention  of  the  framers  of  the  constitution,  and 
refuses  to  reflect  upon  the  past  caurse  of  either  professars  or  students, 
respecting  the  attendance  upon  chapel  services  on  the  Sabbath,  it 
hereby  interprets  the  constitution  of  the  Tiieological  Seminary  at 
Columbia  as  remitting  the  entire  discipline  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
to  the  Faculty  of  the  Seminary,  and  that  the  students  are  under  their 
pastoral  and  imperative  control,  subject  to  the  review  of  the  directors 
and  the  Genei'al  Assembly. 

The  qu3stion  on  the  paper  being  called  for,  aiid  sustained  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  house,  the  vote  was  taken  by  ayes  and  no3S,  as  follows : 
Ayes,  51;  noes,  61.     The  substitute  was,  therefore,  not  adapted. 

The  question  being  taken  on  the  paper  offered  by  Mr.  C.  F.  Collier, 
the  first  resolution  (No  5,  below,)  was  adapted  unanimously.  On  the 
second  resolution  (No.  6,  below,)  the  ayes  and  noes  were  called,  as  fol- 
lows: Ayes,  60;  noes,  53.     The  amendment  was,  therefore,  adopted. 

The  report  of  the  majority  being  now  before  the  house,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Kirkpatrick  moved  to  refer  the  whole  subject  to  a  special  committee, 
which  motion  was  rejected,  and  the  (|uestion  being  called  and  sustained 
by  a  majority  of  the  Assembly,  so  much  of  the  report  as  relates  to  a 


Sec.  387.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  223 

change  of  the  constitution  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia 
was  adopted  unanimously.  The  remainder  was  also  adopted,  and  then 
the  whcjle  report,  as  amended,  was  adopted. 

The  Rev.  WiUiain  T.  Hall  oft'ered  the  following,  w'hich  was  adopted : 

Hesolved,  lliat  the  resohition  touching  the  attendance  on  services 
that  may  be  held  in  the  chapel  of  the  Seminary  at  Columbia  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  is  not  intended  to  reflect  on  the  faculty  or  board  of  di- 
rectors of  the  Seminary  in  any  way,  but  simply  to  exj^ress  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Assembly  as  to  the  expediency  of  the  compulsoiy  feature 
of  such  services. 

P.  GIG.  From  the  report,  as  amended  and  adopted,  we  extract  the 
following  as  proper  to  this  place : 

1.  That  we  approve  of  the  action  of  the  faculty  in  returning,  after 
fair  expermient  of  a  change,  to  the  former  practice  of  withholding  from 
the  students  permission  to  conduct  services  at  places  so  distant  as  to 
interfere  with  the  uninterrupted  and  successful  prosecution  of  their 
proper  work. 

3.  That,  expressing  our  entire  approbation  of  the  manner  in  which 
Rev.  J.  R.  "Wilson,  D.  D.,  has  discharged  his  responsible  duties  as  pro- 
fessor in  oru'  Seminaiy,  and,  unwilling  to  lose  his  valuable  services,  we 
must,  with  the  absence  of  reasons  for  offering  it,  dechne  to  accept  his 
resignation. 

5.  That  the  General  Assembly  hereby  expresses  its  entire  confidence 
in  the  Faculty  of  Columbia  Seminary. 

6.  That  the  General  Assembly  respectfully  recommends  to  the  fac- 
ulty, that  in  the  event  of  services  m  the  chapel  being  deemed  desirable, 
the  attendance  on  said  services,  on  the  part  of  faculty  and  students, 
be  voluntary. 

P.  512.  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  others,  pre- 
sented a  protest  against  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  adopting  a  cer- 
tain part  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries. 
It  was  ordered  tliat  this  protest  be  admitted  to  record,  and  ^Messrs.  J. 
O.  Lindsay,  D.  O.  Davies,  and  A.  W.  Dinsmore  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  prejjare  an  answer  to  it. 

This  protest  and  the  answer  to  it  are  fovmd  on  pp.  524  tf.,  and  are  as 
follows : 

The  Tiuclersigiied  respectfully  offer  for  record  this,  then-  protest,  against  the  lat- 
ter of  the  two  resolntious  which  were  ap2)eii(le(l,  Ijv  w'ay  of  ameudmeut,  to  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries,  and,  by  a  small  majoritj', 
ado^jted  l\y  the  General  Assembly.     The  grounds  of  protest  are — 

1.  Ey  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  the  General  Assembly  has  set  an  examjjle  of 
dangerous  tendency.  The  ditticnlty  in  the  Seminary  at  Columbia,  which  was  made 
the  occasion  for  the  resolution,  was  one  of  discipline  im^rely,  such  as  came  within 
the  authority  and  control  of  the  faculty  oi  the  institution.  Under  the  constitution 
and  laws  prescribed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  the  government  of  the  Seminary, 
they  were  competent  to  do  w  hatever  the  casi'  required.  They  were  ecjually  compe- 
tent in  respect  of  their  moral  qualiticatitjus,  their  intelligence,  i^rudence  and  piety; 
otherwise  this  Assembly  coul<l  not  have  adopted,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  a  resolution 
decliiring  its  contidence  in  them.  Or,  if  the  faculty  were  deficient  in  either  of 
these  particulars,  surely  the  be)ard  of  diri'ctors  miist  i)e  held  suihcient,  both  in  aii- 
thority  and  wisdom,  to  supply  such  deticiency  by  their  counsel  and  advice.  For 
the  General  Assembly  to  allow  itself  to  be  invoked  for  the  purpose  of  settling  mat- 
tei"s  pertaining  to  the  internal  discipline  the  mere  police  -  of  the  Seminary,  when 
this  has  been  so  amply  jjrovided  for  in  the  authority  and  duties  assigned  by  the 
constitution  to  the  faculty  and  tlu-  board,  is,  in  our  view,  at  once  unnecessary  and 
incompatible  with  the  proper  dignity  of  the  body.  Then  the  trouble  and  loss  of 
time  involved  in  such  a  task  would  render  it  an  intolerable  burden  on  the  Assembly. 


224  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

We  appeal  to  the  experience  of  tlie  present  Assembly  for  a  contirmation  of  this  jjo- 
sition.  This  is  the  first  occasion  since  the  establishment  of  theological  seminaries 
that  so  disagreeable  a  work  has  been  imposed  on  the  highest  court  of  the  Church ; 
we  fear  that,  nnder  the  impulse  and  protection  of  the  precedent  now  set,  it  will  not 
be  the  last. 

2.  The  resohition  referred  to,  the  circumstances  in  which  it  was  adopted  being 
considered,  is,  in  its  practical  effects,  siibversive  of  the  wholesome  and  needful  dis- 
cipline of  the  Seminary.  Certain  students  refused  to  obey  a  regulation  which  the 
faculty  made.  To  our  minds  it  is  perfectly  clear  that  the  faculty  had  full  au- 
thority, both  from  their  general  pastoral  relation  to  the  students,  and  from  the  ex- 
press terms  of  the  constitution  of  the  Seminary,  to  make  the  regulation  in  question. 
They  deemed  it  advisable  with  a  view  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  students;  and 
such  being  their  opinion,  they  were  bound  by  their  obligations  to  the  Church  and 
their  "oath  of  office "  to  make  it;  and  if  to  make  it,  then  to  enforce  it  by  the  exer- 
cise of  all  legitimate  authority.  The  General  Assembly  has  now  adopted  a  resolu- 
tion which  is  susceptible  of  an  interpretation,  and  we  believe  will  receive  an  inter- 
pretation, favorable  to  the  students  and  adverse  to  the  faculty  in  the  issiie  between 
the  parties.  It  suggests  to  the  faculty,  very  respectfully  and  kindly  indeed,  but 
still,  under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  very  significantly  and  potently,  that  they 
yield  to  the  demand  of  the  students  in  the  point,  and  the  only  point  mth  respect  to 
which  the  students  had  assumed  an  attitude  of  persistent  disobedience.  Of  course 
siich  a  siiggestion  from  this  body  will  be  regarded  by  the  faculty  as  having  the 
force  of  an  order  to  them.  It  will  be  regarded  by  the  students  as  a  victory  on 
their  part  in  a  contest  in  which  their  feelings  were  warmly  enlisted.  It  seems  to  us 
that  the  certain  effect  of  this  action  of  the  Assembly  must  be  to  weaken  the  authority 
of  the  faculty,  and  to  render  the  exercise  of  discipline  in  the  Seminary  a  matter  of 
extreme  difficulty,  if  not  of  utter  impossibility. 

3.  The  ground  on  which  the  students  above  referred  to  placed  the  vindication  of 
their  conduct — resisting  the  authority  of  the  faculty — as  api^eared  from  letters  of 
those  students,  on  record  and  laid  before  the  Assembly,  and  on  which  their  con- 
duct has  been  defended  and  even  justilied  in  the  discussions  on  the  floor  of  this 
Assembly,  does,  in  our  opinion,  involve  a  i^rinciple,  in  ethics  and  in  religion,  un- 
scriptural,  unsound,  and  eminently  dangerous.  The  principle  is,  that  one's  own 
scruples  of  conscience  will  absolve  him  from  the  obligations  of  his  most  solemn 
promise,  or  oath,  voluntarily  made.  These  students  had  made  and  subscribed  a 
pledge  to  obey  the  laws  of  the  Seminary  as  long  as  they  remained  members  of  the 
institution.  They  sought  to  remain  members  of  the  Seminary,  although  confessing 
that  thej^  had  disobeyed  the  regulation  of  the  faculty  above  referred  to,  and  de-- 
daring  their  purpose  to  continue  to  disobey  it.  Their  excuse  for  this  was  that,  in 
their  view,  the  requirement  of  the  faculty  was  an  invasion  of  the  right  of  private 
judgment  and  of  conscience.  To  some  it  might  seem  strange  that  so  much  room 
and  occasion  for  conscientious  scrriples  should  be  found  in  a  regulation  which  sim- 
ply required,  even  when  most  rigorously  construed,  that,  as  students  in  a  seminary 
for  the  training  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  they  should  attend  a  Sabbath  forenoon's 
service  of  public  worship,  conducted  by  their  own  professors,  in  their  own  chapel; 
attend  there  and  then,  even  though  this  shoTild  deprive  them  of  the  privilege  of  at- 
tending at  thitt  particular  hour  the  services  in  a  church  in  the  city,  in  or  near  which 
the  Seminary  is  situated,  which  they  had  previously  been  accustomed,  and  may 
still  have  preferred  to  attend.  But  passing  by  this,  we  wish  merely  to  say  that, 
whilst  freely  and  fully  conceding  that  these  young  brethren,  respecting  whom  we 
have  from  the  faculty  accounts  in  all  other  particulars  favorable,  pursued  a  course 
which  at  the  time  they  thought  right,  thej'  labored  under  a  grave  mistake  as  to  the 
duty  which  an  enlightened  conscience  would  have  dictated.  That  duty  was  to 
have  promptly,  quietl.y,  and  respectfully  withdrawn  from  the  Seminary  when  they 
discovered  that  they  could  not  conscientiously  obey  a  regulation  made  by  the  fac- 
ulty; not  to  remain  there  in  a  position  of  open  defiance  of  authority,  and  compel 
the  faculty  to  proceed  to  sterner  measures  of  discipline.  We  mention  this,  not  with 
any  view  of  placing  on  record  any  censure  of  these  young  brethren,  from  whose 
labors  in  the  gospel  we  pray  and  trust  the  Church  may  yet  derive  many  benefits, 
but  for  the  purpose  of  making  plain  the  ground  of  our  protest  against  the  perverted 
view  of  the  office  of  conscience  xmder  which  they  api^ear  to  have  acted,  which  has 
been  urged  in  their  defence  on  the  floor  of  this  Assembly,  and  which  we  fear,  how- 
ever little  such  a  result  is  intended,  has  received  and  will  receive  no  slight  encour- 
agement from  the  action  of  this'body.  That  perverted  view  is  the  doctrine  com- 
monly designated  as  the  "Higher  Law. "  We  deem  it  neither  proper  nor  necessary 
to  do  more  than  name  it. 


Sec.  388.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  225 

i.  Forbearing  to  spe<^k  of  the  embarrassment  wliicL  tbis  action  of  the  Assembly 
will  create  in  the  facTiltj'  and  board  of  the  Seminary,  or  of  the  sad  consequences  to 
that  beloved  institution,  some  of  which  have  already  manifested  themselves,  and 
which  we  are  paiufnlly  impressed  with  the  conviction  must  follow  from  it,  we  add 
only  that  in  uothiuf;;  set  forth  or  intimated  in  this  protest  do  we  desij^n  any  qnestion 
or  imputation  of  the  motives  of  the  majority  of  the  Assembly  by  whom  the  resolu- 
tion complained  of  was  i^assed.  We  think  they  were  mistaken  in  judgment  ;  we 
have  no  doiibt  they  were  conscientious  in  their  act. 

Verj'  respectfully  submitted. 

Signed  by  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  and  thirty-six  others. 

Keply  to  Protest. 

The  committee  api^ointed  to  i^repare  a  reply  to  the  protest  of  Dr.  Kirkpatrick  and 
others  against  the  latter  of  the  two  resolutions  appended,  by  way  of  amendment,  to 
the  rejiort  of  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries,  resi^ectf ully  rejDort : 

Before  i^roceeding  to  a  specific  notice  of  the  grounds  of  protest,  as  stated  in  the 
paper,  two  general  remarks  may  be  proper : 

J^^rtit,  On  mature  consideration,  the  General  Assembly  fails  to  discover  the  rele- 
vancy of  much  which  the  protest  contains.  Many,  perhaps  most,  of  the  statements 
made  by  the  protestants  seem,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Assemblj%  to  concern  utter- 
ances of  members  in  debate  rather  than  the  utterance  of  the  Assembly  in  the  reso- 
lution adopted. 

Secondly,  It  is  noticeable  that  the  protestants  do  not  intimate  any  transgression 
of  law  or  violation  of  constitutional  right  by  the  Assembly  in  the  action  complained 
of.  All  the  grave  charges  of  evil  done  and  of  evil  apprehended,  are  based  on  a 
mere  difference  as  to  the  wisdom  or  expediency  (using  that  word  in  its  high  Chris- 
tian sense)  of  the  course  pursued. 

1.  As  to  the  first  groiind  of  protest,  it  may  be  suflBcient  to  say,  the  whole  matter 
was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  in  due  and  regular  course  of  business. 
Having  been  presented  to  the  Assembly  in  an  orderly  manner,  a  decision  of  the 
case,  one  way  or  another,  was  absolutely  necessary.  Whatever  the  matter  was — 
whether  "mere  i^olice"  or  something  else— it  was  a  subject  which,  in  substance  and 
in  form,  according  to  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  Columbia  Seminary,  this 
Assembly  may  always,  and  in  any  such  case  as  that  presented,  mvst  consider  and 
conclude.  The  force  of  this  objection,  if  any  force  it  have,  lies,  therefore,  against 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  Seminary,  rather  than  against  the  action  of  this 
Assembly. 

2.  It  is  respectfully  denied  that  the  action  of  the  Assembly  protested  against  sub- 
verts the  discipline  of  the  Seminary.  Moreover,  this  action  was  not  intended,  nor 
is  it  adapted,  so  far  as  the  Assembly  can  judge,  to  subvert  discipline.  Indeed,  it 
has  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  discipline.  The  discipline  deemed  proper  by  the 
faculty,  in  connection  with  this  siibject,  was  administered,  and  now  remains  in 
force.  The  Assembly  does  not  propose  to  interfere  with  that  discipline.  A  singu- 
lar misapprehension  seems  to  pervade  the  minds  of  the  protestants  in  this  regard. 
Nor  is  the  Assembly  responsible,  in  any  case,  for  a  captious  and  imwarranted  inter- 
pretation of  its  action. 

3.  The  Assembly  cannot  think  it  necessary  to  reply  to  this  discussion  on  con- 
science and  liberty.  Surely  the  protestants  cannot  mean  to  intimate  that  the  As- 
sembly gives  countenance,  even  the  slightest,  to  the  views  they  are  here  combatting. 
And  surely  it  cannot  be  necessary  to  repel,  in  the  name  of  this  venerable  court,  im- 
putations which  are  not  made. 

4.  Regi-etting  any  divisions  among  brethren  on  sirch  an  important  subject,  which, 
however  to  be  deplored,  are  sometimes  inevitable,  we  beg  to  remind  all  concerned 
that  the  action  comijlained  of  is  the  action  of  this  Assembly,  to  be  respected  and 
observed  as  such. 

388.  Condition  of  Columbia  Seminary. 
1877,  p.  437.  The  finances  of  this  Seminary  are  not  in  as  favorable 
a  condition  as  they  were  at  the  last  report.  Failures  to  pay  interest 
due  on  some  of  the  investments,  and  the  reduced  value  of  others,  have 
rendered  it  impossible  to  meet  the  acti;al  necessary  expenses  of  the  in- 
stitution diu'ing  the  past  year.  For  the  immediate  relief  of  this  ven- 
erable school  of  the  prophets,  the  committee  would  recommend  the  fol- 
lowing : 

15 


226  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  rv. 

1.  That  the  board  of  directors,  by  authority  of  the  Assembly,  ap- 
portion approximately,  according  to  strength,  the  deficit,  about  $2,500, 
among  the  Si^-nods  not  already  committed  to  the  support  of  Union  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  lU'ge  them  to  come  to  the  immediate  relief  of 
its  present  wants. 

2.  That  the  board  of  directors  be  instructed  to  renew  measures,  if 
practicable,  to  so  increase  the  endowment  that  these  financial  difficul- 
ties shall  not  again  occur. 

3.  That,  owing  to  the  straitened  financial  condition  of  the  Semi- 
nary, the  existing  vacancy  in  the  faculty''  be  not  filled  at  present. 

4.  That  the  chiu'ches  be  urged  to  extend  a  liberal  and  constant  sup- 
port to  this  institution,  and  give  to  it  freely,  not  only  of  their  means, 
but  theii"  jDrayers,  their  confidence  and  their  patronage. 

1878,  p.  700.  The  board  has  elected  Rev.  C.  E.  Chichester  financial 
agent  of  the  Seminary,  and  he  has  been  in  the  field  several  months. 
He  has  succeeded  in  making  collections  sufficient,  with  the  contribu- 
tions from  the  churches,  to  meet  the  immediate  necessities  of  the  in- 
stitution, and  to  leave  a  balance  on  hand  after  paying  the  salaries  of  the 
professors  to  1st  July  next ;  but,  from  the  uncertainty  of  pecuniary  mat- 
ters, he  has  been  able  to  do  but  little  towards  the  permanent  endowment. 

1879,  p.  84.  This  agency  was  continued  with  a  good  degree  of  suc- 
cess until  January  1st,  when  the  board,  owing  to  the  disastrous  j)esti- 
lence  which  had  befallen  the  people  of  the  South  and  Southwest,  and 
the  poverty  resulting  therefrom,  thought  it  prudent  to  discontinue  the 
agency  for  the  present. 

1878,  p.  622.  We  find,  from  the  records  of  the  board  of  directors, 
that  a  complaint  has  been  brought  before  the  boai'd  concerning  the 
teachings  of  the  professor  of  Pastoral  Theology,  etc.  The  board,  while 
exonerating  the  parties  bringing  the  complaint,  were  satisfied  with  the 
explanations  of  said  professor.  But  evidence  has  been  presented  to 
this  committee  that  their  decision  is  not  satisfactory  to  aU  parties.  We 
recommend  that  the  whole  subject  be  referred  to  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, who  are  the  projDer  persons  to  act  in  the  matter,  if  further  action 
be  necessary. 

1879,  p.  85.  The  directors  say:  "We  have  the  painful  duty  to  re- 
port that  the  largest  part  of  the  f inids  belonging  to  the  '  Perkins  Pro- 
fessorship of  Natiu'al  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation '  have  been 
lost  by  the  failure  of  the  secui'ities  in  wliich  they  were  invested.  This 
disaster  has  caused  us  great  embarrassment,  and  we  have  been  much 
disturbed  in  our  efforts  to  remedy  this  loss.  We  have  adopted  measures 
which  we  hope  may  meet  the  difficulty,  but  for  success  we  must  be  de- 
pendent on  the  hberahty  of  our  people." 

P.  22.  The  Assembly  says:  "These  losses  have  been  sustained,  so 
far  as  the  evidence  before  your  committee  shows,  not  from  any  want  of 
prudence  and  care  in  management,  but  by  reason  of  those  perils  and 
vmcertainties  which  have  characterized  for  jeaxs  past  the  financial  world 
in  the  matter  of  almost  every  class  of  securities  and  investments,  and 
against  which  the  wisest  human  foresight  has  been  unable  to  guard. 
We  would  therefore  earnestly  recommend  to  all  our  chui'ches  this  beloved 
Seminary,  imploring  them,  in  this  time  of  great  need,  to  render  it  with- 
out delay  every  possible  pecuniary  assistance." 

1880,  p.  244.     From  the  report  of  the  directors :  "The  financial  con- 


Sec.  388.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  227 

dition  of  the  Semiiiaiy  has  been  gloom}',  It  was  foimd  necessarj^  last 
September  {hefore  the  failure  of  James  Adger  &  Co.)  to  decrease  the 
salaries  of  the  professors  fi'om  $2,500  to  §2,000.  The  board  first  at- 
tempted to  meet  the  financial  embarrassment  by  requesting  one  of  the 
professors,  instead  of  imparting  instruction  in  the  Seminary  during  the 
past  year,  to  visit  churches  and  mdividuals  in  order  to  sohcit  funds; 
but  he  decUned  to  do  so. 

"We  then  made  sj)ecial  appeals  to  the  three  Synods  of  South  Carolina, 
Georgia  and  Alabama.  They  responded  liberally,  thus  enabhng  us  to 
close  the  year  almost  free  from  increase  of  debt.  .  .  .  The  financial  con- 
dition of  the  Seminary  is.  better  than  it  was  last  fall.  This  improve- 
ment results  partly  from  gifts  to  the  endowment  fund,  amounting  to 
about  §3,500,  partly  from  the  payments  on  their  indebtedness  by  James 
Adger  &  Co.,  amounting  to  S7,560,  and  j)artly  by  the  appreciation  of 
the  securities  held  by  the  Seminary. 

The  board  expected  to  try  to  continue  the  exercises  of  the  Seminary 
during  the  year  1880-'81,  though  it  would  have  been  a  hard  struggle, 
requiring  a  contribution  fi-om  the  churches  for  the  current  expenses  of 
$3,700;  for  the  expected  income  from  the  endoAvment  would  be  only 
$5,100,  while  the  expenses  were  estimated  at  $8,800. 

The  vmexpected  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Girardeau,  as  professor 
of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology,  completely  changed  oiu*  plans.  He 
ha\ing  insisted  upon  the  acceptance  of  Iiis  resignation  after  the  board 
had  earnestly  vu'ged  him  to  withdraw  it,  we  were  compelled  to  reluc- 
tantly accept  it,  to  take  effect  on  October  1st,  1880. 

This  left  the  Seminaiy  in  a  dismantled  condition,  for  two  of  its  im- 
portant chairs  are  vacant,  viz. :  that  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology 
and  that  of  Ecclesiastical  Histoiy  and  Church  Polity.  These  vacancies 
in  the  faculty,  the  decreasing  number  of  students,  the  iasuificient  income 
of  the  institution,  the  impaid  indebtedness,  the  solemnly  expressed  im- 
"willingness  of  the  large  and  liberal  S;\Tiod  of  South  Carolina  to  give  dur- 
ing the  coming  year  as  during  the  past,  and  other  things,  made  the  tem- 
porary closing  of  the  Seminaiy  a  j^ainful  necessity. 

To  attempt  to  carry  on  the  institution  in  the  face  of  these  difficulties 
would  be  wrong,  and  could  only  end  in  disaster.  Hence,  with  reluc- 
tance and  in  soitow,  the  board  were  compelled  to  close  the  Seminaiy 
until  a  fprofessor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology  could  be  secm'ed. 
.  During  this  period  of  suspension  the  Eev.  George  Howe, 
D.  D.,  who  has  for  nearly  fifty  years  been  a  professor  here,  will  have 
charge  of  the  buildings,  grounds,  and  libraiy,  with  a  salaiy  of  SI, 500 
per  annum.  Diuing  this  period  the  salaiy  of  the  Rev.  James  Wood- 
row,  D.  D.,  who  has  been  a  professor  here  for  over  twentv'  years,  and 
who  has  been  performing  the  duties  of  two  chaii's  for  the  past  few 
yeai's  without  any  extra  compensation,  ■v^ill  be  discontinued.  The  Rev. 
W.  S.  Plumer,  D.  D.,  who  has  been  a  professor  here  for  over  thirteen 
years,  who  has  long  since  passed  his  "  three-score  yeai'S  and  ten,"  and 
who  is  Hearing  his  "  four-score  years,"  was  made  a  professor  emeritus, 
with  a  salary  of  $1,000  per  annum. 

There  has  been  a  large  and  valuable  addition  to  the  hbraiy  by  the 
bequest  of  the  late  Rev.  John  Douglas,  who  gave  to  the  Seminaiy  his 
own  hbraiy,  containing  1,372  volumes,  and  a  large  number  of  pamph- 
lets.    The  whole  libraiy  now  numbers  20,295  volumes. 

P.  201.     The  Standing  Committee  on  Theoloerical  Semiaaiies  made 


228  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

a  report  in  relation  to  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia;  after 
which  a  commmiication  from  the  Rev.  William  S.  Plumer,  D.  D.,  in  re- 
lation to  matters  involved  in  said  report,  was  read ;  also,  a  minority  re- 
port was  presented  by  the  Rev.  L.  B.  Johnston,  all  of  which  papers 
were  jjlaced  upon  the  docket. 

P.  212.  It  was  resolved:  That  the  Rev.  WiUiam  S.  Plumer,  D.  D., 
be  afforded  an  opportunity^  according  to  his  request,  to  be  heard  in  re- 
lation to  matters  involved  in  said  report,  and  at  such  length  as  he  may 
deem  necessary ;  and  also,  that  afterwards  the  Rev.  William  E.  Boggs, 
D.  D.,  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Seminary,  shall  have 
a  like  opportimity  to  be  heard  in  explanation  of  the  report  of  said  board 
to  the  General  Assembly.  In  pursuance  of  this  arrangement,  Dr. 
Plumer  addressed  the  Assembly  imtil  the  hour  of  recess. 

P.  217.  The  unfinished  business  was  taken  up,  when  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Plumer  resumed  and  finished  his  address.  The  Rev.  William  E.  Boggs, 
D.  D.,  next  addressed  the  Assembly  in  behalf  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  Cohimbia  Theological  Seminary.  The  majority  report  of  the  com- 
mittee, after  havmg  been  amended  by  the  addition  of  the  last  resolu- 
tion found  therein,  was  adopted,  and  the  report  and  recommendations 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Synods 
of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  were  approved.  The  committee's  re- 
port includes  the  following : 

1.  We  have  abundant  proof  in  the  documents  before  us  that  the 
board  of  directors  have  not  been  neglectful  of  the  interests  of  the  Semi- 
narv'.  They  have  labored  diligently  for  its  well-being,  but  labored  in 
cu'cumstances  of  sore  perplexity,  arising  from  the  insufficiency  of  the 
funds  at  their  disposal  for  the  support  of  the  institution,  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  obtaining  the  requisite  amount  by  any  means  they  could  em- 
ploy. The  embarrassment  growing  out  of  the  financial  condition  of 
the  Seminary  was  greatly  augmented  by  the  unexpected  resignation, 
at  the  close  of  the  late  session,  of  the  professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology ;  and  mider  the  pressure  of  these  two  causes,  themselves  ag- 
gravated by  the  diminished  number  of  students,  the  board  resolved, 
we  cannot  doubt,  with  a  deep  sense  of  the  responsibility'  involved  in  the 
step,  to  close  the  exercises  of  the  institution  until  such  time  as  they 
should  be  able  to  secure  a  suitable  professor  for  the  vacant  chair.  A 
measure  so  important,  adopted  with  almost  entire  unanimity  by  a 
board  whose  members  were  appointed  to  their  office  by  the  General 
Assembly  for  their  supposed  quahfications  for  a  wide  and  faithfid  dis- 
charge of  its  functions,  and  whose  position  gave  them  opportunities  for 
obtaining  accurate  and  full  information  respecting  the  condition  of  the 
Seminary,  its  existing  embarrassments  and  future  prospects,  far  more 
favorable  than  the  position  occuj)ied  by  your  committee,  or  by  the  As- 
sembly, is  surely  entitled  to  great  respect  in  the  view  of  us  all.  This 
consideration,  joined  to  the  fact  that  we  are  miable  to  see  what  other 
course  the  board  uld  have  taken  without  exposing  the  Seminary  to 
more  serious  and  lasting  evils  than  those  which  will  necessarily  follow 
from  the  temporary  suspension  of  exercises,  has  prepared  the  minds  of 
your  committee  to  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  approve  the 
report  of  the  board  of  directors. 

2.  In  view  of  the  urgent  importance  of  re-opening  the  Seminaiy  at 
an  early  day,  we  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  instruct  the 
board  of  directors  to  proceed,  with  no  more  delay  than  can  be  avoided, 


Sec.  389.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  229 

to  the  election  of  professors  to  the  vacant  chairs,  or  to  such  of  them  as 
are  indispensable  to  a  complete  course  of  theological  instruction,  and 
that  the  hoard  proceed  also,  with  all  prudent  expedition,  to  set  in  op- 
eration the  most  efficient  means  they  can  employ  for  raising  fimds  for 
the  current  expenses  of  the  Seminary,  and  for  its  permanent  endow- 
ment. 

3.  Recognizing  the  unqualified  right  of  the  board  of  dii'ectors,  im- 
der  the  constitution  of  the  Seminary,  to  elect  all  its  professors,  their 
action  being  subject  only  to  the  veto  of  the  Assembly,  your  committee 
would  yet  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  an  expression  of  its 
earnest  desire  that  the  Eev.  John  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D.,  should,  if  possi- 
ble, be  induced  to  resume  his  charge  of  the  chair  of  Didactic  and  Pol- 
emic Theolt)gy,  for  which  he  has  evinced,  by  years  of  actual  trial,  his 
eminent  qualifications,  as  respects  alike  his  learning,  the  soundness  of 
his  doctrines,  and  his  "aptness  to  teach."  It  is  confidently  believed 
that  his  continuance  in  the  Seminary  would  not  only  be  highly  grati- 
fying to  its  friends  and  the  Church  at  large,  but  also  contribute  greatly 
to  the  success  of  the  efforts  that  may  be  made  for  its  enlarged  useful- 
ness. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  action  of  the  board  of  du-ectors  re- 
ported to  this  General  Assembly,  in  making  the  Eev.  Wm.  S.  Plvmier, 
D.  D.,  a  23rofess(jr  emeritus,  the  General  Assembly  takes  the  opportu- 
nity of  expressing  to  this  venerable  and  respected  brother  their  cordial 
appreciation  of  his  past  services  in  relation  to  his  connection  with  Co- 
lumbia Theological  Seminary,  and  hereb}'  convey  to  him  their  respect, 
veneration,  and  kind  Christian  sentiments  of  regard,  with  the  prayer 
that  God's  richest  blessing  may  abide  with  him  now  and  always. 

P.  220.  I  desire  to  enter  a  protest  against  the  action  of  the  majority  of  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries,  in  approving  the  action  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Columbia  Seminary,  by  which  Dr.  ^\'.  S.  Plnmer  was  retired  and  made 
an  emeritus  professor.  I  cannot  see  that  the  l)oard  had  a  constitutional  right  thus 
to  trididittf  1)y.  Plunier,  without  his  consent,  from  an  active  to  an  honorary  con- 
nection ^^  itli  the  Seminary,  holding  as  I  do  that  this  action  of  theirs  comes  properly 
XTuder  Art.  V.  of  the  constituticm  of  the  Seminary,  and  not  under  Art.  XL,  as  is  held 
by  the  l)oard.  L.  B.  Johnston. 

P.  219.  The  following  dissent  was  presented  and  ordered  to  be  en- 
tered upon  the  Minutes : 

The  undersigned  would  respectfiilly  ask  to  enter  their  dissent  from  so  much  of 
the  action  of  the  General  .\ssembly  touching  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia, 
S.  C,  as  declares  the  Eev.  W.  S.  Plumer,  D.  I).,  as  incapacitated  by  age  and  in- 
firmity to  give  adequate  instruction  in  his  professorship,  that  of  Pastoral  and  His- 
toric Theology,  and  on  this  account  removes  him  from  his  chair,  when  the  same 
action  of  the  General  Assembly  closes  the  Seminary  for  an  indefinite  })eriod. 

J.  H.  Bkyson,  E.  H.  Briugs, 

W.  A.  MiLNEK,  G.  H.  Ron. 

389.  7^/ie  Assembly  surrenders  cotitrol  of  Colmnbui  iSeDiindri/. 
1880,  p  218.  In  the  report  of  the  board  of  directors  we  find  the 
following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  South  Cai'ohna,  viz. : 
"  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Synod,  that  inasmuch  as  the  Seminary  at 
Columbia  is  the  propeiiy  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  therefore  imder 
its  control,  the  l)urden  of  sustaining  the  same  devolves  on  the  whole 
Church;  and  that  while  this  Synod  is  willing  i/i  the  present  emeri/ency 
to  exert  itself  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  institution,  as  heretofore,  for  the 
current  vear,  it  cannot  see  the  way  clear  to  undertake,  in  connection 


230  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

with  tlie  Synods  of  Georgia  and  Alabama  alone,  to  bear  tbis  bui'den  in 
the  future,  so  long  as  the  Seminary  retains  its  j)resent  relations  to  the 
General  Assembly."  We  construe  this  declai'ation  as  implying  a  wish, 
on  the  part  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carohna  that  the  Seminary  should 
be  restored  to  its  former  relations  to  the  three  Synods  named.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  alumni,  called  by  a  published  notice,  and  held  in  this 
city  on  Tuesday  last,  as  we  have  been  officially  informed,  a  resolution 
was  adopted,  with  but  one  dissenting  voice  out  of  about  thirty  concur- 
ring, advising  the  re-transfer  of  the  institution  to  the  above  Synods.  We 
recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  inform  those  S;)Tiods  of  its  readi- 
ness to  restore  the  Seminary  to  their  ownership  and  control  whenever 
they,  the  Synods  above  named,  shall  indicate  their  desire  to  receive  it. 

1881,  p.  362.  ^Vhereas  the  last  General  Assembly  informed  the  Synods 
of  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Alabama  of  its  readiness  to  restore  the 
Seminary  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  to  their  ownership  and  control  whenever 
they  shall  indicate  their  desire  to  receive  it ;  and  whereas  each  of  the 
above-mentioned  S;\Tiods  has  indicated  such  desire  by  an  almost  iinani- 
mous  vote ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  does  hereby  "  return  the  ownership 
and  control "  of  the  said  Seminary  at  Columbia  to  the  said  Synods  of 
South  Carohna,  Georgia  and  Alabama ;  the  Seminary  hereafter  to  sus- 
tain to  the  General  Assembly  the  same  relation  as  that  now  sustained 
by  Union  Theological  Seminary,  Va. 

Resolved,  2,  That  the  present  directors  and  professors  of  the  Semi- 
nary at  Columbia,  S.  C,  continue  in  office  untU  the  three  Synods  above 
mentioned  shall  have  assumed  actual  control  of  said  Seminary. 

1882,  p.  595.     From  report  of  the  directors : 

The  Transfer  of  the  Seminary. — This  was  completed  last  fall,  and 
now  the  institution  is  under  the  ownership  and  control  of  the  asso- 
ciated Synods  of  South  Carohna,  Georgia  and  Alabama.  These  have 
invited  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  to  take  part  with  them 
in  this  matter,  and  that  Synod  has  signified  its  wiUingness  to  do  so. 

390.    Condition  of  (Columbia  Seyninary  in  1881. 

1881,  p.  416.     From  report  of  directors: 

During  the  past  year  the  exercises  of  this  institution  have  been  sus- 
pended, for  the  reasons  made  km)wn  to  you  in  oxu'  last  report,  espe- 
cially our  insufficient  income,  vacant  professorships  and  unpaid  debt. 

We  are  glad  to  report  that  the  finances  of  the  institution  have  mate- 
rially increased  since  last  May.  The  effort  to  increase  oiu*  endowment 
has  been  signally  blessed  with  the  Divine  favor.  At  first  we  only  en- 
deavored to  re-endow  the  "First  Professorship,"  and  that  only  to  the 
extent  of  $30,000  ;  but  the  hearty  response  of  the  Synods  of  South  Car- 
ohna, Georgia,  and  Alabama,  and  liberal  friends  elsewhere,  caused  us 
to  enter  ujion  the  work  of  fully  and  comjDletely  re-endowing  the  institu- 
tion by  increasing  the  endowment  of  each  professorship  to  $40,000. 
In  carrying  on  this  work  the  Eev.  Dr.  Girardeau  became  om*  agent  in 
October,  1880,  and  the  Eev.  Dr.  Mack,  an  additional  agent,  in  January, 
1881.  The  efforts  of  these  brethren  have  been  very  successful,  though, 
to  our  deep  regret,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Girardeau  was  compelled  by  ill  health 
to  retire  from  the  work  in  March,  1881. 

Over  $30,000  has  been  contributed  to  increase  the  endowment;  the 
firm  of  James  Adger  &  Co.  have  paid  their  uidebtedness  in  fuU ;  and 


Secs.  391, 392.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  231 

over  $2,000  has  been  collected  on  the  debt  due  the  Perkins  professor- 
ship. Hence  the  endowment  for  the  support  of  professors,  which  in 
November,  1879,  was  valued  at  $65,000,  and  in  May,  1880,  at  $85,000, 
is  now  valued  at  $135,000 ;  and  its  income,  which  in  November,  1879, 
was  estimated  at  over  $4,200,  and  in  May,  1880,  at  about  $5,100,  is 
now  estimated  at  over  $8,000.  Besides  this,  there  has  been  an  in- 
crease of  $6,000  to  the  students'  fund,  and  of  $1,300  to  the  hbrary 
fimd. 

We  are  gi-eatly  gratified  to  report  that  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Girardeau, 

D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  has  comphed  with  the  request  of  the  last  Assembly,  and 
withdi'awn  his  letter  of  resignation  as  professor  of  Didactic  and  Pol- 
emic Theology,  and  is  ready  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  chair  next 
fall. 

We  have  made  the  salarj'  of  the  Perkins  professor  to  be  whatsoever 
income  the  Perkins  fvmd  may  yield ;  and  have  fixed  the  salaries  of  the 
other  professors  at  $2,000  j)er  annum,  imtil  the  income  may  warrant 
increase. 

The  name  of  th^  "  First,"  or  "  South  Carolina,"  professorship  has  been 
changed  to  that  of  "Howe  Memorial,"  in  honor  of  the  Eev.  George 
Howe,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  who  has  for  fifty  years  been  a  professor  in  this 
Seminary. 

391.    Condition  in  1882. 

1882,  p.  595.     From  report  of  the  directors : 

77ie  Election  of  Professors. — In  July,  1881,  the  Eev.  C.  E.  Hemp- 
hill, of  the  South-Western  Presbyterian  University,  was  elected  asso- 
ciate professor  of  Bibhcal  Literature,  and  in  March,  1881,  the  Eev.  W. 

E.  Boggs,  D.  D.,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  was  elected  professor  of  Church  Gov- 
ernment and  Histoiy.  Both  of  these  have  signified  theii'  acceptance, 
and  are  expected  to  enter  upon  their  duties  next  fall. 

llie  Financial  Condition. — This  is  veiy  encouraging.  The  balance 
of  the  debt,  which  to  some  extent  caused  the  closing  of  the  Seminaiy, 
has  been  paid,  the  buildings  have  been  repaired  and  the  grounds  put 
in  order.  About  $17,000  have  been  added  to  the  endowment,  and  the 
work  of  increasing  the  funds  is  steadily  progressing. 

The  Library. — There  have  been  some  valuable  additions  to  the 
library,  which  now  consists  of  20,367  bound  volumes,  besides  a  large 
number  of  pamphlets. 

77<e  He-opening. — The  board  have  ordered  the  re-opening  of  the 
Seminary,  which  will  take  place  (Providence  permitting)  on  the  14th  of 
September,  1882. 

392.    Condition  of  Cohimhia  Seminary  in  1883. 

1883,  p.  84.     From  the  report  of  the  directors : 

Oiu"  beloved  Seminary,  after  being  closed  for  two  years,  was  re-opened 
on  Sei^tember  14,  1882.  This  sht)uld  be  a  subject  of  rejoicing  to  the 
whole  Church,  for  it  is  no  unimportant  matter,  in  these  days  when 
there  is  so  much  defection  in  the  theological  seminaries,  that  our  South- 
ern Zion  should  have  another  institution  maimed  by  those  who  are 
able  to  teach  the  Westminster  standards,  and  who  are  too  honest  to 
secretly  impugn  the  verbid  inspiration  of  any  part  of  the  original  Scrip- 
tvu'es,  or  to  covertly  teach  evolution  and  other  insidious  errors  that 
undermine  the  foundations  of  oiu"  precious  faith. 


232  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  TV. 

Two  of  the  professoi's,  Eev.  C.  E.  Hemphill  and  Rev.  Dr.  W.  E. 

Boggs,  began  their  instructions  at  the  reopening  of  the  seminary,  and 
the  board  has  every  reason  to  rejoice  over  the  addition  of  these  breth- 
ren to  the  faculty. 

By  the  death  of  Dr.  Howe,  Prof.  C.  R.  Hemphill  becomes  professor 
of  Biblical  Literature  and  the  Exegesis  of  Scripture. 

The  chair  of  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  is  vacant,  but 
will  be  filled  as  soon  as  it  is  possible  to  do  so. 

The  board  directed  the  faculty  last  fall  "to  provide  for  a  more  com- 
plete study  of  the  Bible  as  a  whole,  and  through  the  English  version  of 
the  Scriptures."  This  direction  has  been  carried  out,  and  the  study  of 
the  English  Bible  constitutes  an  important  feature  in  the  departments 
of  Didactic  Theology,  Chiu'ch  History,  and  Sacred  Rhetoric.  More- 
over, the  board  have  directed  the  executive  committee  to  secure  special 
instruction  in  elocution  during  the  coming  session. 

The  financial  condition  is  steadily  improving.  Every  obligation  of 
the  past  year  has  been  promptly  and  fully  met,  so  that  there  is  not  a 
dollar  of  debt.  Over  $17,000  have  been  collected  by  the  financial  agent 
during  the  fiscal  year  for  increasing  the  endowment,  and  the  prospect 
for  completing  this  work  is  constantly  becoming  brighter. 

The  library  has  been  largely  increased  during  the  year,  mainly 
through  the  genei'osity  of  Rev.  George  Howe,  D.  D.,  who  bequeathed 
to  it  about  2,400  volumes,  so  that  it  now  consists  of  about  23,000  vol- 
umes, besides  a  large  number  of  pamphlets.  As  the  present  accommo- 
dations of  the  library  are  utterly  insufficient,  steps  have  been  taken  to 
secure  a  fire-proof  libraiy  building,  capable  of  holding  50,000  volumes. 
"The  Library  Fund,"  which  is  almost  entirely  the  bequest  of  the  late 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Smyth,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  now  amounts  to  over 
$7,000.  As  the  increase  of  this  fund  cannot  be  used  until  the  principal 
is  $10,000,  the  board  have  taken  steps  to  secure  the  required  amount, 
so  that  there  will  soon  be  a  permanent  fund  for  the  preservation  and 
increase  of  the  library. 

393.    Condition  of  Columbia  Seminary  in  1884. 

1884,  p.  279.  Professors  Hemphill  and  Boggs  were  inaugurated 
September  19th,  1883. 

P.  280.  The  fund  for  an  annual  course  of  lessons  in  elocution  had 
increased  so  much  that  we  were  able  to  provide  instruction  in  this  de- 
partment during  the  past  session,  thereby  greatly  benefiting  many  of 
the  students.  The  executive  committee  have  been  directed  to  secure 
instructicjn  in  elocution  during  the  coming  session. 

The  librar}^  has  been  increased  by  various  gifts,  the  largest  of  which 
was  the  bequest  of  the  late  Rev.  S.  Beach  Jones,  D.  D. 

The  financial  ccmdition  is  constantly  improving.  Every  obligation  of 
the  past  year  has  been  promptly  and  fully  met,  so  that  there  is  not  a 
dollar  of  debt  The  value  of  the  endowment  fund  is  about  $12,000 
greater  than  it  was  a  year  ago,  and  is  steadily,  though  not  rapidly,  in- 
creasing. A  full  and  detailed  statement  of  the  assets  of  the  Seminary 
is  annually  made  to  the  Synods  having  control  of  the  institution. 

394.    Changes  in  the  faculty. 

1885,  p.  453.     From  the  directors'  report : 

On  December  10th,  1884,  the  chair  of  Natural  Science  in  connec- 


Secs.  395-397.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  233 

tion  with  Revelation  was  vacated,  and  the  incumbent  ceased  to  teach 
in  this  institution.  At  the  same  time  the  inciimbents  of  the  chairs  of 
Bibhcal  Literatiu'e  and  Exegesis  of  Scripture,  and  of  Ecclesiastical 
History-  and  Chiux-h  Government,  resigned,  requesting  that  their  resig- 
nations take  eflect  July  1st,  1885. 

The  board  would  inform  the  Assembly  that  it  has  endeavored  to  fill 
these  vacancies  as  far  as  practicable  by  electing  to  the  chair  of  Eccle- 
siastical History  and  Church  Government  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  D.  Tadlock, 
of  King  College,  Bristol,  Tenn. ;  to  the  chair  of  Natural  Science  in 
connection  with  Revelation,  the  Rev.  Dr.  C.  C.  Hersman,  of  West- 
minster College,  Fulton,  Mo. ;  and  as  provisional  instructor  in  Bibhcal 
Literature  and  Exegesis  of  Scripture,  Mr.  Geerhardus  Vos,  a  graduate 
of  Princeton  Seminary,  New  Jersey. 

395.  Finances  of  Columhia  Seniinary  in  1885. 

1885,  p.  454.  The  whole  of  the  endowment  fmid  amounts  (face  value) 
to  about  $207,000,  and  its  estimated  actual  value  to  about  $190,000. 
This  fund,  with  a  small  exception,  is  invested  in  safe  and  profitable  se- 
curities. Its  income  is  about  sufficient  to  provide  a  comfortable  sup- 
port for  four  professors,  but  does  not  justify  the  election  of  a  fifth  to 
fill  the  vacant  chair  of  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric. 

The  financial  agent  of  the  board  has  spent  eight  months  of  the  past 
year  in  prosecviting  his  work.  He  has,  during  that  period,  collected 
in  cash  $2,829.42,  and  obtained  in  subscriptions  about  $4,000.  It  is 
believed  that  the  depressed  condition  of  the  country,  coupled  with  the 
recent  controversy  in  the  Church  on  the  svibject  oi  evolution,  has  in  a 
measure  hindered  the  successful  prosecution  of  our  efforts  to  complete 
the  endowment  of  the  Seminary. 

39G.    Condition  of  Columbia  Seminary  in  1886. 

188G,  p.  83.  The  financial  condition  of  the  institution  is  good.  The 
total  amount  of  invested  funds  is  about  $210,275.32,  face  value,  with 
an  estimated  real  value  of  $200,469.94.  These  investments  yield  an 
annual  income  of  about  $11,784.  If  to  the  above  amount  of  invested 
fvmds  be  added  the  value  of  the  library  and  real  estate  owned  by  the 
institution,  the  whole  amount  of  the  assets  of  the  institution  will  ap- 
proxnuate  $270,000. 

During-  the  entire  session  just  closed.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  D.  Tadlock,  and  Rev.  Dr.  E.  L.  Patton,  tutor  of  the  Hebrew  lan- 
guage, have  been  engaged  in.  the  dischai'ge  of  their  respective  duties ; 
and  since  the  middle  of  last  December,  Rev.  Dr.  James  Woodrow,  Per- 
kins professor  of  Natural  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation,  has 
been  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that  chair.  The  resig- 
nation of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Girardeau,  tendered  last  October,  was  accepted 
by  the  boaixl  in  December,  and  takes  efi'ect  the  COth  of  Jime  next. 
At  the  i)resent  meeting  the  board  elected  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  Lefevre  to  the 
chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theok)gy,  and  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F.  Latimer  to 
the  chair  of  Biblii-al  Literature  and  Exegesis  of  Scriptui'e. 

397.   Oric/in  of  the  Seminary,  and  the  roll  of  its  faculty. 

This  Scmmnry  was  established  in  1828,  by  the  Syuod  of  South  Carolina  and 
Geor^'iiV,  it«  title  then  bein<^  "The  The()lof:;ical  Seminary  of  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  and  Gcorj^ia."     Upon  the  division  of  the  Synod  into  the  two  Synods  of 


234  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  the  constitution  was  so  modified  as  to  continue  to  each 
of  the  Synods  a  share  in  its  control.  The  Synod  of  Alabama,  at  its  sessions  in  the 
fall  of  1857,  received  and  accepted  overtures  offering  it  a  joint  interest  in  the  Sem- 
inary. So  that  the  institution  was  under  the  joint  control  of  these  three  Synods 
until  it  was  given  over  to  the  Assembly.  The  plan  is  essentially  the  same  as  that 
of  Princeton.  (See  Baird's  Digest,  chapter  on  Princeton  Seminary;  also  section 
242  on  Columbia  Seminary.) 

The  following  have  been  members  of  the  faculty: 

Aecessus.  Exitus, 

1828.  Thomas   Goulding,   D.   D.,    Professor   of   Ecclesiastical   History   and 

Church  Polity.  1834. 

1831.   GeoecxE  Howe,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature.  1883. 

1833.  A.  W.  Leland,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Christian  Theology.  1856. 

1836.  Chaeles  Colcock  Jones,  D.  D.  .  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and 

Church  Polity.  1838. 

1848.  Chaeles  Colcock  Jones,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and 

Church  Polity.  1850. 

1852.  Alexandee  T.  McGill,  D.  D.,  Prof  essor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and 

Church  Polity.  1853. 

1853.  B.  M.  Palmee,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Provisional  Instructor  in  Ecclesiastical 

History  and  Church  Pohty.  1853. 

1854.  B.  M.  Palmee,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and 

Church  Polity.  1856. 

1856.  A.  W.  Leland,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Sacred  Khetoric  and  Pastoral  The- 
ology. 1871. 

1856.  J.  H.  Thoenwell,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 

Theology.  1862. 

1857.  J.  B.  Adgee,    D.  D.,    Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church 

Polity.  1874. 

1861.  James  Woodeow,  Ph.  T>.,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Perkins  Professor  of  Natural 

Science  in  connection  with  Revelation.  1886. 

1867.   William  S.  Plumee,  D.  D.  ,  LL.  D. ,  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 

Theology.  1875. 

1870.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.  ,  Professor  of  Pastoral  and  Evangelistic  The- 
ology and  Sacred  Rhetoric.  ■  1874. 

1875.  William  S.  Plumee,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,   Professor  of  Pastoral,  Casuistic 

and  Historic  Theology.  1880. 

1876.  J.  L.  Gieaedeau,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 

Theology. 
1882.   Chaeles  R.   Hemphill,  D.  D.,  Associate  Professor  of  Biblical  Litera- 
ture. 1883. 

1882.  Wm.  E.  Boggs,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church 

Polity.  .   1885. 

1883.  Chaeles  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature.  1885. 
1885.   J.   D.   Tadlock,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church 

Polity. 
1887.   G.  C.  Heesman,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature. 

TUTOES    IN    HeBEEW. 

1851.  Bazile  Lanneait,  A.  M.  1855. 

1856.  James  Cohen,  A.  M.  1862. 

1874.  Chaeles  R.  Hemphill,  A.  M.  1878. 

1885.  E.  L.  Patton,  D.  D.  1886. 

398.   The  Assembly  assumes  revieio  and  control  over  Union  Tlieological 

Seminary. 

1861,  p.  37.  The  Synods  of  Virginia  and  North  CaroHna  request 
that  the  General  Assembly  in  the  Presbyterian  Chnrch  of  the  Confed- 
erate States  will  assume  the  same  I'eview  and  control  over  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  Virginia  which  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Chm-ch  in  the  United  States  heretofore  exercised  accord- 
ing to  the  plan  of  the  Seminary,  and  that  the  Seminary  shall  be  called 
the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assem- 


Secs.  399, 400.]  The  Agencies  or  the  Chuech.  235 

bly  of  the  Presb-yterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America, 
and  the  board  of  dii-ectors  shall  report  annually  to  the  Assembly. 
This  request  "was  granted. 

1866,  p.  10.  A  paper  containing  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina  in  regard  to  a  transfer  of  Union  Theological  Seminaiy  to  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries.  On  the  recommendation  of  that 
committee,  it  was  resolved:  That  the  memorial  from  the  Sjnod  of 
North  Carolina,  requiring  the  sanction  of  the  SjTiod  of  Virginia,  which 
sanction  has  not  been  reported,  be  filed  amongst  the  papers  of  the  stated 
clerk. 

399.    Opening  and  closing  day  at  Hampden  Sidney. 

1864,  p.  285.  The  following  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  directors 
of  Union  Theological  Seminaiy,  May  13,  1862 : 

Hesolved,  That  the  S^-nods  be  requested  to  change  the  close  of  the  ses- 
sion from  the  second  IMonday  in  May  to  the  last  Thursday  in  Apiil,  so 
as  to  aUow  time  for  the  report  of  the  directors  to  reach  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  same  year ;  and  the  succeeding  session  commence  on 
the  last  Thursday  of  August  ensuing. 

The  Assembly  is  requested  to  assent  to  the  above,  that,  when  acted 
on  by  the  S^Tiods,  it  shall  be  in  force.  Its  assent  was  given.  (A  sub- 
sequent change  was  made  in  1880,  see  below.) 

400.  Financial  condition  of  Union  Seminary. 

1865,  p.  412.  (Abridged.)  Until  July  the  funds  of  the  institution 
continued  to  }deld  their  usual  income.  After  July  such  income  ceased. 
So  much  of  the  fimds  as  was  invested  in  bank  stocks  is  totally  lost. 
This  amoimt  is  from  $16,000  to  $20,000.  The  remaining  fimds, 
amounting  to  $90,000  or  $100,000,  consist  of  State  or  other  securities, 
which  may  ultimately  be  available  as  soui'ces  of  income.  For  the  pre- 
sent, and  we  know  not  how  much  longer,  the  institution  has  not  one 
cent  of  income  from  any  soiux-e.  Diu'ing  last  summer  benevolent  per- 
sons in  Baltimore  made  contributions  of  mone}'  and  goods.  On  invita- 
tion, a  member  of  the  faculty  visited  Baltimore  and  New  York,  and 
raised  about  $6,000  among  Presbyterians  friendly  to  the  South.  The 
S}Tiods  of  Vii'ginia  and  North  Carohna  have  adopted  plans  for  raising 
moneys,  both  for  immediate  and  permanent  wants,  and  have  directed 
that  a  member  of  the  faculty  resume  his  financial  agencv  in  the 
North. 

1866,  p.  63.  The  board  reported  that  $7,944  had  been  secured  by 
this  agency,  besides  $1,540  from  other  sources,  and  that  the  invested 
fvmds  had  not  yet  become  productive. 

1866,  p.  21.  Your  committee  learn  that,  since  the  report  of  the  di- 
rectors of  Union  Theological  Seminary  was  prepared,  in  obedience  to 
the  order  of  the  board  of  directors,  under  the  advice  of  the  S^Tiod  of 
North  Carohna,  the  Rev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Smith  has  prosecuted  an  agency 
for  adding  to  the  permanent  funds  of  the  Seminary,  which  has  resulted 
in  seciu'ing  about  $50,000 ;  of  which  $30,000  was  given  by  Mr.  Cy- 
rus H.  McCormick,  of  Chicago,  as  an  endowment  for  a  professorship; 
and  $10,000  by  a  Christian  lady  of  Baltimore,  for  the  erection  of  a 
libraiy  building. 


236  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  and  the  donation  of  $13,000  to  Cokimbia,  the 
following  was  adopted : 

1866,  p.  21.  liesolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Assembly  are  due, 
and  are  hereby  tendered,  to  Mr.  Cyrus  H.  McCormick,  of  Chicago,  for 
his  munificent  contribution  of  $30,000  to  the  funds  of  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  and  to  the  other  liberal  friends  who  have  come  to  the  help 
of  these  Seminaries  at  this  time  of  trial. 

1868,  p.  300.  The  library  is  in  a  good  condition,  comprising  about 
5,500  volumes,  of  which  570  have  been  added  during  the  past  year. 

Finances. — The  whole  amount  of  fimds  deemed  available  b}'  the 
treasiu'er  for  payment  of  salaries  and  expenses  is  estimated  at  $136,- 
960.88.  There  are  five  completed  scholarships,  ($2,500  each,)  one  of 
which  (the  "Baxter  Douglas")  was  constituted  since  the  1st  of  May, 
1867,  by  the  late  Miss  N.  Eead,  of  Lexington,  Virginia.  There  are 
other  incomplete  scholarships,  of  which  $7,334.12  has  been  contri- 
buted. 

The  condition  of  the  buildings  and  grounds  has,  within  the  past 
year,  been  much  improved  by  a  judicious,  tasteful  and  economical  ex- 
penditure. 

1869,  p.  425.  The  invested  funds  are  of  the  nominal  value  of 
$145,875,  not  all  of  which  are  available,  however,  for  income  at  this 
present.  The  Cazenove  scholarship  has  been  founded,  and  the  Oli- 
phant  scholarship  has  been  paid  in. 

P.  384.  The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries  would  further 
report  on  the  "  Constitution  and  Plan  "  of  the  Union  Seminary,  which 
has  been  placed  in  our  hands,  and  which  is  referred  to  in  the  report  of 
the  directors,  as  follows : 

"  The  directors  and  trustees  have  found  it  necessary  to  revise  the 
constitution  and  plan  of  the  institution,  to  bring  it  into  harmony  with 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  incorporation  granted  by  the  Legislature  of 
Virginia.  This  amended  constitution  and  plan  is  herewith  submitted 
for  the  appi'oval  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  Assembly  is  resj)ect- 
fully  requested  to  approve  the  same  at  its  meeting  in  1869." 

The  committee  have  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  what  alter- 
ations have  been  made  in  the  constitution  by  this  contemplated 
change ;  and  finding  nothing  in  it  of  which  they  disapprove,  would 
recommend  the  approval  of  the  "  Constitution  and  Plan  "  by  this  As- 
sembly.    Adoi^ted. 

1870,  p.  571.  From  report  of  directors  :  The  library  contains  about 
8,000  volumes.  $12,000  has  been  secured  for  erecting  a  library  build- 
ing ;  $4,000  has  been  added  to  the  library  fund,  the  interest  only  of 
which  will  be  expended  in  the  increase  and  preservation  of  the  library. 
The  Seminary  will  also  receive,  under  the  will  of  Rev.  Uiias  Powers, 
$3,000  per  annum  for  three  j^ears,  to  be  expended  in  the  piu'chase  of 
books.  The  Seminar^'^  has  ten  scholarships,  amounting  to  $2()^850  ;  be- 
sides, the  faculty  has  control  of  seven  temporary  scholarships. 

In  1874  the  library  contained  9,693  volumes ;  in  1879  it  contained 
10,800.  Ill  1875,  T.  M.  Niven,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  and  Joseph  B.  AVil- 
son,  Escj.,  of  Rockbridge,  Va.,  founded  each  a  s(4iolarship.  (See  p.  29.) 
In  1877  a  system  of  written  examinations  combined  with  oral  was  ad- 
opted, and  four  new  scIk )laisliii)s  were  founded. 

1880,  p.  247.     The  trustees  deemed  it  expedient  to  change  the  time 


Sec.  401.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chdrch.  237 

of  beginning  the  terms  to  the  first  Wednesday  in  SejDtember,  to  termi- 
nate (jn  the  tirst  Wednesday  of  May  following. 

1881,  p.  414.  Pro^•ision  has  been  made  for  instruction  in  elocution, 
and  addresses  will  be  dehvered  by  the  students  at  the  anniversaries 
hereafter,  at  which  time  diplomas  will  be  awarded  in  lieu  of  certificates. 
The  amount  invested  in  scholarships  is  S49,()()0. 

1888,  p.  82.  The  trustees,  with  profound  gratitude  to  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church  for  the  signal  favors  shown  this  Seminary,  would 
make  brief  mention  of  the  following  items  worthy  of  special  notice : 
(1,)  The  sound  financial  status  of  the  institution.  Reference  is  made 
to  the  ofiicial  appendix  of  the  treasurer  for  specific  information.  The 
buildmgs  and  grounds  are  in  a  good  condition.  The  library  has  been 
added  to,  so  that  the  present  number  of  volumes  is  nearly  twelve 
thousand.  (2,)  The  increase  in  the  number  of  matriculates  and  new 
students.  (3,)  Increased  and  liberal  provision  for  such  additional  in- 
struction in  the  departments  of  theological  education,  and  in  earnest 
effort  for  more  ample  endowment,  initiatory  steps  having  been  taken  at 
this  meeting  to  establish  an  additional  professorship.  Amount  of  in- 
vested funds,  April  the  1st,  was  $251,740.  This  amount  is  chargeable 
with  (1,)  mterest  on  the  Hbrary  fund  of  $8,000  and  to  (2,)  scholai'ships, 
which  was  at  1st  Ajml,  $71,200,  but  will,  no  doubt,  soon  be  $72,000; 
leaving  an  amount  of  about  $171,740,  from  which  income  will  be  re- 
ceived to  i3ay  salaries  and  incidental  expenses.  The  treasurer  esti- 
mates the  income  from  the  whole  invested  funds  for  1883-84,  at 
$15,446.  The  legal  title  of  the  corporation  is  "The  Trustees  of  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  in  Virginia."  (The  words  "in  Virginia"  dis- 
tinguish it  fr(jm  the  Theological  Seminaiy  of  the  same  name  in  New 
York  city.)  Trustees  are  by  law  only  eUgible  from  the  directors  ap- 
pointed by  the  two  S^Tiods. 

401.    Changes  in  the  faculty  at  Union  Seminary. 

1884,  p.  278.  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  called  for  the  purpose, 
in  Richmond,  Va.,  in  July,  1883,  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Dabney  was, 
with  great  reluctance,  accepted,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Peck,  the 
then  professor  of  Church  History,  was  unanimously  elected  professor 
of  Systematic  and  Pastoral  Theolog}'^,  to  supply  the  vacancy  occasioned 
by  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Dabney. 

At  the  jDresent  meeting  (May,  1884)  the  trustees,  by  unanimous  vote, 
elected  the  Rev.  James  F.  Latimer,  Ph.  D.,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  pro- 
fessor of  Ecclesiastical  Histoiy  and  Pohty.  At  the  same  meeting,  the 
trustees  elected  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Moore,  of  North  Carolina,  adjunct- 
professor  of  Oriental  Literature,  in  which  department  Mr.  Moore  filled 
the  position  of  assistant  instructor  during  the  past  year  with  the  most 
gratifying  success. 

1885,  p.  452.  Professor  Moore  has  entered  upon  his  work  with  great 
dihgence  and  enthusiasm,  and  has  adopted  the  most  approved  modem 
methods  of  teaching  Hebrew,  and  has  inspii'ed  his  pupils  with  a  re- 
markable degree  of  zeal  in  this  department.  Follo^ving  what  was  be- 
lieved to  be  the  demands  of  the  occasion,  the  trustees  have  provided  to 
continue  the  study  of  the  Hebrew  language  through  the  whole  coui'se, 
with  the  view  of  giving  the  students  such  a  thorough  acquaintance  with 
the  language  that  after  gi-aduation  they  will  be  able  to  continue  its  use 
with  pleasure. 


238  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

The  Rev.  J.  F.  Latimer,  Ph.  D.,  D.  D.,  entered  upon  his  duties  at 
the  opening  of  the  present  scholastic  year  as  professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History  and  PoHty,  and  at  the  close  of  the  year  was  inducted  formally 
by  the  trustees  into  his  professorship. 

402.    Condition  of  the  Seminary  in  1886. 

1886,  p.  85.  The  Hon.  F.  N.  Watkins,  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  corporation  ha^dng  died,  Col.  J.  P.  Fitzgerald,  of  Farmville,  Va., 
has  been  elected  treasurer,  and  Rev.  Charles  White,  D.  D.,  Worsham, 
Va.,  secretary  of  the  corporation.  The  investments  are :  General  fund, 
$171,996.33;  scholarship  fund,  $83,200;  and  hbrary  fund,  $8,000, 
yielding  an  income  of  $480.  The  total  income  for  the  ^'•ear  has  been 
$16,691.65.     There  are  12,596  volumes  in  the  Hbrary. 

403.   Historical  statement. 

This  Seminary  was  opened  Janiiary  1,  1824,  with  one  professor,  J.  H.  Rice,  D.  D. , 
and  three  students.  No  building  had  been  completed.  In  183U-'31  an  addi- 
tional professor  had  been  seciired;  the  number  of  students  was  about  fifty,  and 
buildings  had  been  erected,  affording  accommodations  for  two  professors,  a  stew- 
ard, and  sixty  students,  and  also  containing  a  chapel,  a  library,  and  lectiire  rooms. 
Since  that  time  three  buildings  for  professors'  residences  and  a  spacious  library 
have  been  erected. 

The  appended  lists  give  the  names  of  the  professors  and  assistant  professors  in 
the  Seminary  from  the  date  of  its  origin  to  the  present  time. 

Assistant  Peofessoks. 

HiKAM  P.  Goodrich, November,  1828,  to  April,  1830. 

Elisha  Ballentine, February,  1831,  to      "      1834. 

Benjamin  M.  Smith, April,  1834,  to       "      1836. 

Elisha  Ballentine  (iterw?i), "  1836,  to      "      1838. 

Fbancis  S.  Sampson, November,  1838,  to  June,  1848. 

William  B.  Bkownts, August,  1848,  to      "       1849. 

Dabney  C.  Haeeison, September,  1854,  to  April,  1856. 

Thomas  Whaeey, "  1859,  to      "      1860. 

RuTHEEFOED  R.  Houston, "  1860,  to      "      1861. 

Walter  W.  MooEE, "  1883,  to  May,  1884. 

Professors. 

I.  Systematic  and  Polemic  Theology  : 

John  H.  Rice,  D.  D., From  Jan.,  1824,  to  Sept.  3,  1831. 

George  A.  Baxter,  D.  D., From  Nov.,  1831,  to  Ap.  24,  1841. 

Samuel  B.  Wilson,  D.  D., From     "     1841,  to  Sept.,    1869. 

Robert  L.  Dabney,  D.  D., 

(As  adjunct) From  Sept.,  1860,  to  Sept.,     1869. 

(As  principal), From      "     1869,  toJime,     1883. 

T.  E.  Peck,  D.  D., From      "     1883,  to . 

II.  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Polity : 

Stephen  Tayloe,  D.  D., From  November,    1835,  to  1838. 

Samuel  L.  Graham,  D.  D., From  SeiDtember,   1838,  to  1839. 

Samuel  L.  Graham,  D.  D. ,  (iferwrn), From  "  1849,  to  1851. 

Robert  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  From  "  1853,  to  1859. 

Thomas 'E.  Peck,  D.  D., From  Sept.,  1860,  to  Sept.,  1883. 

James  F.  Latimee,  Ph.  D.,  D.  D., From  May,    1884,  to . 

III.  Oriental  Literature : 

HieamP.  Goodrich,  D.  D., From  1830  to  1839. 

Samuel  L.  Graham,  D.  D., From  Nov.,     1839,  to  1849. 

Francis  S.  Sampson From  Sept.,    1849,  to  Ap.  9, 1854. 

Benjamin  M.  Smith,  D.  D From      "        1854,  to . 

W.  W.  Moore,  Adjunct  Prof From      "       1884,  to  May,  1886. 

W.  W.  Moore,  D.  D.,  Associate  Prof., From  May,     1886,  to . 


Sec.  404.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtech.  239 

IV.  Biblical  Introduction  and  New  Testament  Literature : 

WiLM.iM  J.  HoGE,  D.  D., From  Sept.,  1856,  to  April,  1859. 

Henry  C.  ALEXANDER,  D.  D., From     "      1869,  to  ■. 

V.  Pastoral  Theology  and  Biblical  Introduction : 

Samuel  B.  WiLSOtf,  D.  D.,  From  Sept.,  1860,  to  Aug.  1, 1869. 

Since  that  time  Pastoral  Theology  has  been  attached  again  to  the  chair  of  Syste- 
matic Theolog}'. 

404.    TusJcaloosa  Institute. 

1875,  p.  28.  Overtm-e  from  Rev.  C.  A.  Stillman,  D.  D.,  and  other.s, 
asking  the  Assembly,  at  its  present  meeting,  to  take  action  looking  to 
the  estabhshment  of  an  institute  for  the  education  of  colored  preachers, 
in  pursuance  of  the  poHcy  recommended  by  the  last  Assembly ;  or  in 
case  the  way  be  not  clear  to  do  that  at  this  meeting,  to  ajDj^oint  a  com- 
mittee to  take  the  subject  into  consideration,  and,  if  they  deem  it  expe- 
dient and  practicable,  to  digest  a  plan  for  the  organization,  manage- 
ment, and  sui)port  of  such  a  school,  and  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

The  Assembly  accedes  to  the  latter  alternative  of  this  request,  and 
appointed  a  committee  for  the  purj^ose  specified  in  the  overtiu'e,  to  re- 
port to  the  next  Assembly. 

Committee :  C.  A.  Stillman,  D.  D.,  J.  O.  Stedman,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling 
Elder  B.  M.  Estes. 

187G,  p.  208.  This  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  referred  to 
the  Standing  Committee  on  Education.  Thereupon  the  following  was 
adopted : 

P.  231.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Education,  having  had  refeired 
to  them  the  report  of  the  special  committee  appointed  by  the  last  As- 
sembly on  the  subject  of  estabhshing  an  institute  for  the  education  of 
colored  ministers,  and  ha\ing  given  to  the  matter  as  mature  delibera- 
tion as  was  possible,  and  having  sought  the  wisest  coimsel  they  could 
obtain,  are  imanimous  in  submitting  the  following  report  and  recom- 
mendations for  adoption  by  the  Assembly: 

1.  That  the  paper  referred  to  them  be  approved,  as  expressing  the 
sense  of  this  Assembly  on  the  subject  to  which  it  relates,  and  as  pre- 
senting the  most  feasible  plan  of  accompUshing  the  object  that  is 
Bought. 

2.  That  the  Assembly,  in  discharge  of  the  grave  responsibihty  which 
rests  upon  our  Chm-ch  in  regard  to  the  evangelization  of  the  colored 
race,  do  now  resolve  to  establish  such  an  institute  as  is  projwsed  in  the 
paper  above  referred  to,  for  the  education  of  a  colored  ministrv'. 

3.  That  this  institute  be  begun  and  conducted  in  the  least  expensive 
waj',  compatible  with  the  success  of  the  object  to  be  accomplished,  and 
that  the  funds  which  may  be  raised  for  this  piu'jjose,  at  least  for  the 
present,  shall  in  no  case  be  spent  in  the  purchase  or  erection  of  build- 
ings, but  onl}^  in  defraying  the  necessaiy  exj)enses  of  the  institute,  in 
the  rent  of  suitable  rooms,  and  in  pajdng  the  salary  of  the  teachers  who 
may  be  employed. 

4.  That  the  instruction  given  in  the  institute  shall,  in  the  beginning 
at  least,  and  until  the  way  is  opened  for  something  more  advanced,  be 
limited  to  the  ordinary  branches  of  an  EngUsh  education,  together  with 
such  instruction  in  Church  Histoiy  and  Government,  Theology,  and 
the  fules  of  interpreting  and  expoimding  the  Scriptm'es,  as  may  be 
necessary  to  qualify  the  candidates  fur  preaching  the  gosj)el,  and  admin- 
istering the  affairs  of  the  Chui'ch  to  the  edification  of  their  own  people. 


240  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

5.  That  Rev.  C.  A.  Stillmau,  D.  D.,  whose  qualifications  for  the  Avork 
are  well  kuowii,  and  who,  if  called  by  the  Church,  it  is  believed  will  not 
refuse  the  task,  be  now  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  institute,  to  be 
the  instructor  in  Theology  and  its  kindred  branches  therein ;  and  that 
he  be  authorized  to  employ  a  suitable  assistant,  who  shall  be  the 
teacher  of  the  English  department,  under  his  superintendence  and  con- 
trol ;  and  that  in  case  the  appointment  be  accepted  by  him,  the  insti- 
tute shall  be  located  at  Tuskaloosa,  Alabama. 

G.  That  the  raising  of  the  funds  for  this  cause  be  referred  to  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  Education,  and  that  they  be  authorized  and  in- 
structed to  appeal  to  our  churches  and  aU  benevolent  persons  for  con- 
tributions to  this  object. 

7.  That  all  delegates  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Chiu'ch 
be  requested  to  lay  the  matter  before  that  body,  and  if  possible  to 
secvu'e  the  sympathy  and  support  of  that  Church  towards  this  cause. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  whole  matter  of  raising  fimds  for  the  pur- 
pose contemplated  in  the  above  rejDort  shall  be  confided  to  the  agency 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman,  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  of  Edu- 
cation. 

1877,  p.  438.  Resolved,  1,  That  an  executive  committee,  to  consist 
of  a  secretar}^  and  four  members,  one  of  whom  shall  be  by  said  com- 
mittee elected  treasurer,  be  now  appointed,  clothed  with  powers,  and 
subject  to  restrictions  in  every  respect  similar  to  the  other  executive 
committees  of  the  Assembly,  to  be  called  the  Executive  Committee  for 
the  Education  of  a  Colored  Ministry. 

2.  That  this  committee  shall  be  charged  \\dth  the  duty  of  devising 
and  executing,  in  accordance  with  existing  restrictions  on  other  ex- 
ecutive committees,  aU  that  shall  be  useful  to  establish  on  a  per- 
manent basis  a  suitable  institution  for  the  education  of  a  colored 
ministry,  and  to  do  such  other  work  as  the  General  Assembly  shall 
from  time  to  time  direct,  for  the  evangelization  of  this  element  of  our 
population. 

3.  That  this  committee  be  located  at  Tuskaloosa,  Alabama,  and  the 
names  of  the  following  persons  are  proposed  to  constitute  said  com- 
mittee, viz. :  Rev.  C.  A.  Stillman,  D.  D.,  secretaiy ;  W.  P.  Webb,  Jon- 
athan Bliss,  J.  T.  Searcy  and  R.  D.  Webb. 

4.  That  this  executive  committee  prepare,  and  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly  for  its  action,  a  complete  constitution  and  by-laws 
for  itself,  and  for  the  institvition  over  which  it  is  to  be  placed. 

5.  That  the  Presbyteries  be  again  earnestly  urged  to  consider  this 
whole  subject,  in  view  of  this  action  of  the  Assembly,  and  to  co-operate 
with  the  executive  committee  in  carrying  out  the  work  assigned  it. 

6.  That  for  the  present  the  support  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  at 
this  institute  be  provided  for  through  the  Presbyteries  having  such 
candidates  under  care,  as  such  bodies  shall  devise,  and  that  Presby- 
teries having  no  colored  candidates  of  their  own,  or  having  a  surplus  of 
funds  for  this  puipose,  shall  send  their  contributions  or  surplus  to  the 
treasurer  of  the  committee,  to  be  invested  or  disbursed  by  it  under  the 
rules  to  be  adopted  for  its  action. 

7.  That  in  addition  to  the  annual  reports  of  this  committee  to  the 
General  Assembly,  it  be  required  to  send  to  all  the  Presbyteries  having 
candidates  or  contributing  fimds  a  semi-annual  repori,  on  the  first  of 
March  and  first  of  September  of  each  year,  setting  forih  the  deport- 


Secs.  405-407.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  241 

meiit  and  progi'ess  of  their  candidates,  and  the  disbursement  of  the 
funds. 

8.  That  the  whole  Church  be  most  earnestly  and  affectionately  lu'ged 
to  look  with  favor  on  this  work,  and  to  hberally  aid  it  with  their  prayers, 
theu"  influence,  and  theu"  means.  And  inasmuch  as  this  work  is  in  its 
infancy,  it  is  not  inappropriate  to  add  that  contributions  are  greatly 
needed  for  its  general  supj^oii,  as  well  as  for  the  support  of  the  students. 

9.  That  the  first  Sabbath  of  December,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  prac- 
ticable, be  appointed  for  the  annual  collections  for  this  object,  to  be 
taken  up  in  whatever  way  shall  seem  best  to  each  particular  church. 

405.  Agency  for  the  Institute. 

1878,  p.  630.  The  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover  recommends  that  the 
General  Assembly  shall  be  requested  to  consider  the  expediency  of 
sending  out  one  or  more  accredited  agents  upon  a  special  mission  to 
Great  Britaiu  in  its  behalf. 

We  believe  that  this  overture  is  based  upon  some  personal  knowledge 
of  the  feeUng  among  the  Christian  people  of  that  country  on  this  sub- 
ject. The  same  recommendation  comes  up  to  us  from  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Institute. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  the  executive  committee,  as  soon  as 
the  way  may  be  clear,  take  the  necessary  steps  to  inaugiu'ate  such  a 
mission,  and  that  the  agent  whom  they  select  be  accredited  by  the  mod- 
erator and  stated  clerk  of  the  Assembly. 

1879,  p.  82.  In  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  last  As- 
sembly, and  upon  the  recommendation  of  a  number  of  oiu-  most  judi- 
cious minister?;,  the  committee  appointed  Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy,  D.  D.,  ovxr 
financial  agent,  to  solicit  funds  for  the  endowment,  builduigs,  Hbrary 
and  general  support  of  the  Institute,  at  a  salary  of  fifteen  hundi-ed  dol- 
lars and  necessary  travelUng  expenses,  to  be  paid  out  of  money  raised 
by  him  mider  this  apjiointment.  The  field  assigned  to  Dr.  Lacy  was 
the  Reformed  Church,  the  churches  in  Canada,  and  wherever  the  way 
seems  oj)en  in  Great  Britain.  We  learn  fi-om  his  report  to  us  that  his 
agency  has  accomphshed  a  part  of  what  was  expected.  He  has  col- 
lected GOO  volumes  for  our  library,  most  of  them  books  of  value  and 
suited  to  our  wants. 

1880,  p.  248.  Dr.  Lacy  suspended  his  agency  soon  after  the  meeting 
of  the  last  Assembly. 

406.  Salary  of  the  corresponding  secretary. 

1882,  p.  564.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  author- 
ized to  pay  the  corresponding  secretary  such  reasonable  annual  com- 
pensation as,  in  their  judgment,  the  circumstances  of  the  case  may 
warrant. 

The  secretary  had,  up  to  this  date,  given  his  services  grattiitously. — A. 

407.   Tlie  Institute  commended. 

1883,  p.  35.  Hesolved,  1,  That  in  addition  to  other  ways  of  sustain- 
ing the  Tuskaloosa  Institute,  this  Assembly  would  urge  upon  the  Pres- 
byteries, chvu'ches  and  sessions  under  its  cia-e  the  dut}^  of  making  it  a 
special  object  to  seek  out  colored  men  who  give  evidence  of  piety  and 

i6 


242  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

of  a  capacity  for  iutellectual  and  spiritual  culture,  aud  encoui-age  them 
to  enter  the  ministry,  and  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  afforded 
by  this  theological  school. 

2.  That  the  Institute  be  commended  to  the  people  of  God,  not  only 
as  an  important  means  of  usefulness,  but  as  the  most  direct  method  yet 
devised  of  relieving  the  Church  of  the  immense  responsibihty  in  regard 
to  the  African  race  which  has  been  laid  upon  it. 

See  also  1882,  p.  573. 

408.  A  column  for  the  Institute  in  the  statistical  tables. 

1882,  -p.  547.  Mesolved,  That  the  Assembly  order  the  Publication 
Committee,  if  practicable,  to  insert  into  the  statistical  tables  of  the  Min- 
utes a  column  for  contributions  to  the  "Tuskaloosa  Institute  (colored)," 
and  that  the  blank  reports  which  are  furnished  to  the  Presbyteries  be 
remodeled  in  accordance  with  this  change. 

409.  Discretion  given  tlie  faculttj  as  to  retaining  Incompetent  students. 

1885,  p.  430.  The  committee  having  been  obliged  in  several  in- 
stances to  recommend  the  withdrawal  of  students  of  good  Christian 
character,  but  incapable  of  pursuing  the  course  of  study  with  any  en- 
coiu'aging  degree  of  success,  asks  the  Assembly  to  instruct  them  whether 
any,  and  if  any  what,  discretion  is  left  to  the  faculty  in  retaining  stu- 
dents sent  to  them  by  the  Presbyteries,  when  in  the  judgment  of  the 
committee  and  faculty  they  are  incompetent  to  take  the  full  course  of 
study.  In  reply,  the  Assembly  would  first  lu'ge  the  Presbji^eries  to  ex- 
ercise great  care  in  the  selection  of  candidates,  both  as  to  character  and 
mental  capacity,  and  to  endeavor  to  give  them  as  much  preparatory 
scholastic  training  as  possible.  But  when,  in  the  judgment  of  the  fac- 
ulty, any  student,  after  sufficient  trial,  proves  incompetent  to  profit  by 
the  instructions  offered,  it  is  their  right  and  duty,  after  duly  notifying 
his  Presbytery,  to  retm-n  him  to  his  home. 

410.  Change  in  the  method  of  collecting  and  disbursing  the  fxinds  of 

the  Institute. 

1886,  p.  52.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Nashville,  touching 
evangelistic  work  among  the  colored  people,  asking — 

"  1st,  That  a  collection  be  ordered  in  all  our  churches,  on  the  first 
Sabbath  in  December,  for  the  evangelization  of  the  colored  race,,  in- 
stead of  for  Tuskaloosa  Institute,  as  at  present. 

"  2nd,  That  the  funds  so  collected  shall  be  used,  first,  for  supporting 
TuskaLiosa  Institute,  conducted  upon  its  present  plan,  and  that  any 
surplus  that  may  remain  shall  be  used  by  the  Committee  of  Home  Mis- 
sions for  employing  evangelists  to  the  colored  people." 

Your  committee  recommend : 

1.  That  these  requests  be  granted,  in  the  confident  hope  that  in  this 
way  the  funds  contributed  to  this  whole  cause  shall  be  largely  increased. 

2.  That,  if  the  Assembly  approve  the  above,  all  fimds  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer  of  Tuskaloosa  Institute,  or  that  may  hereafter 
come  into  his  hands,  contributed  especially  for  the  Institute,  shall  be 
held  by  him  subject  to  the  order  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
Institute.  The  annual  collections  hereafter  are  to  be  sent  to  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  Home  Missions. 


Sec.  411.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  243 

3.  Ou  the  first  of  each  month  the  treasurer  of  the  Assembly's  Com- 
mittee of  Home  Missious  shall  honor  the  di-aft  of  the  treasiu-er  of  the 
Institute  for  such  amount  as  shall  be  ordered  by  the  secretary'  of  the 
Institute,  and  certified  to  be  necessarj'^  for  the  current  expenses  of  that 
month. 

4.  If,  at  any  time,  the  Executive  Committee  of  Home  ^Missions  shall 
have  cause  to  fear  a  lack  of  funds  for  the  cuiTent  expenses  of  the  In- 
stitute, they  shall  at  once  notify  the  executive  committee  of  the  Insti- 
tute, that  they  may  be  jirepared  for  such  emergency.     Adopted. 

411.  Progress  of  the  Institute. 

1877,  p.  451.  The  Institute  was  located  at  Tuskaloosa,  Ala.  Eev. 
A.  F.  Dickson,  of  Chester,  S.  C,  was  appointed  professor.  Six  students 
have  been  in  attendance,  two  of  whom  were  Presb^'terians,  one  imder 
care  of  Memphis  and  the  other  of  Savannah  Presbyteiy. 

1878,  p.  G97.  The  executive  committee  appointed  in  May,  organized 
in  July,  1877,  and  adopted  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  its  own  gov- 
ernment and  that  of  the  Institute.  Dr.  James  T.  Searcy  was  elected 
treasurer.     The  salary  of  Rev.  A.  F.  Dickson  was  fixed  at  $1,500. 

P.  G30.  The  Institute  has  no  buildings.  The  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  adopted.  This  required  that  two  others  be  added  to  the 
executive  committee.  Mr.  H.  M.  Sumerville,  of  Tuskaloosa,  and  Eev. 
D.  D.  Sandei'son,  of  Eutaw,  were  appointed. 

1870,  p.  81.  Eev.  A.  F.  Dickson  died  in  January.  His  classes  were 
taught  the  rest  of  the  term  by  Eev.  J.  W.  Kerr,  M.  D. 

1880,  p.  248.  Eev.  D.  C.  Eankin  has  been  elected  permanent  pro- 
fessor, at  a  salary  of  81,000  a  year.  A  colored  Presb}i;erian  chiu'ch  has 
been  organized  in  Tuskaloosa,  and  a  large  and  flourishing  colored  Sab- 
bath-school is  maintained,  in  which  the  students  take  part.  We  have 
no  contributions  to  a  separate  students'  fimd,  and  we  have  used  a  part 
of  the  general  fund  in  meeting  the  necessary  expenses  of  students  con- 
nected with  our  Chui'ch. 

1881,  p.  418.  "We  have  continued  the  plan  of  last  year  in  meeting 
the  expenses  of  students  of  our  own  Chiu'ch.  We  pay  theii'  board, 
fuel,  lights,  etc.,  costing  in  all  $8  per  month,  or  §80  per  year,  they  pro- 
viding their  own  clothing,  etc.,  and  supporting  themselves  during  va- 
cation. We  stni  endeavor  to  procure  this  amoimt  from  the  Presbyte- 
ries sending  them,  but  ai"e  obliged,  in  some  instances,  to  supplement  a 
deficiency. 

We  have  not  yet  provided  a  building  for  the  Institute,  but  are  tak- 
ing steps  to  do  so,  foUo^\'ing  the  instructions  of  the  Assembly  to  incur 
no  debt. 

We  have  not  deemed  it  advisable  to  send  an  agent  into  the  field  to 
sohcit  fimds.  We  have  received  some  aid,  however,  from  persons  out- 
side of  oiu-  Chui-ch,  both  in  the  form  of  money  and  of  books. 

1882,  p.  591.  In  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  last  Genei'al  As- 
sembly, we  elected  an  additional  professor,  Eev.  W.  H.  Eichai'dson,  of 
the  Presb>-tery  of  South  Alabama,  who  entered  upon  his  duties  at  the 
opening  of  the  present  session.  We  have  thus  had  the  services  of  two 
professors  duiing  the  session. 

P.  592.  Following  the  directions  of  the  last  Assembly,  we  have 
erected  a  neat  and  commodious  building  for  the  use  of  the  Institute, 


244  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

which  we  entered  on  the  first  of  January,  and  find  admirably  adapted  for 
oiu"  pvirposes.  It  contains  two  large  rooms  and  one  small  one.  The 
entire  cost,  including  lot,  enclosiu'e,  furniture,  and  fixtures,  was 
$1,888.35,  and  is  all  paid  for,  and  insured. 

1883,  p.  81.  The  committee,  at  their  recent  meeting,  appropriated 
$150  for  the  purpose  of  completing  a  church  building  in  process  of 
erection  upon  a  lot  given  by  Dr.  J.  T.  Searcy  to  the  Institute,  and  to 
be  deeded  to  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  in  trust  for  the  use 
of  the  Institute  as  a  chapel,  and  to  be  used  by  the  colored  chm-ch  re- 
cently organized  under  the  care  of  the  Tuskaloosa  Presbyterian  chux'ch. 
We  regard  this  as  a  necessary  appendage  to  the  Institute.  We  have 
no  room  suitable  for  public  exercises.  The  exercises  by  the  students, 
when  conducted  only  in  the  presence  of  the  school,  are  not  sufficient  to 
cultivate  and  develop  their  gifts. 

1884,  p.  276.  Rev.  D.  C.  Rankin  resigned  his  professorship  at  the 
close  of  last  session.  Rev.  D.  D.  Sanderson,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  as  his 
successor.     Rev.  J.  J.  Anderson  is  the  other  professor. 

The  ciu'riculum  of  study,  adopted  a  year  ago,  has  been  extended  to 
embrace  four  years,  and  has  been  kept  up,  and  found  to  suit  the  capa- 
cities of  the  students.  Yet  we  are  deepl}^  impressed  with  the  convic- 
tion that  our  terms  of  admission  as  to  scholarship  are  too  low,  and  that 
it  is  necessaiy  to  require  that  all  students,  upon  their  entrance,  should 
show  abihty  to  read  correctly  and  intelligibly,  and  to  write  a  legible 
hand ;  also,  a  fair  acqviaintance  with  the  four  elementary  rules  of  arith- 
metic. 

We  would  respectfully,  but  earnestly,  recommend  that  the  Presbyte- 
ries use  the  utmost  caution  in  the  selection  of  candidates ;  and  also, 
that  they  endeavor  to  afford  them  a  fair  degree  of  academic  prepara- 
tion before  their  entrance,  so  that  the  professors  may  be  able  to  give 
more  time  to  the  Biblical  and  theological  course. 

We  find  that  the  appropriation  of  $150  last  year,  to  aid  in  the  com- 
pletion of  a  church  building  for  the  colored  Presbyterian  church  in 
Tuskaloosa,  has  been  fully  justified  by  the  results.  That  organization 
has  been  strengthened,  the  congregation  increased,  and  the  Sabbath- 
school  so  developed  as  to  justify  the  discontinuance  of  the  colored  Sab- 
bath-school, which  had  been  taught  by  whites  in  our  church  for  twenty- 
five  years.  » 

Our  library  has  been  kept  in  excellent  condition,  and  has  been  en- 
larged by  a  generous  contribution  of  books  from  the  Board  of  PubHca- 
tion  at  PhUadelphia. 

1885,  p.  456.  A  suitable  boarding-house  has  been  established,  con- 
ducted by  a  respectable  colored  man,  a  member  of  our  church,  and 
under  the  supervision  of  the  faculty,  and  where  a  more  careful  super- 
vision is  exercised  than  heretofore  over  the  students. 

1886,  p.  86.  Rev.  J.  J.  Anderson  resigned  his  professorship  in  Sep- 
tember, 1885.  In  January  following  Rev.  J.  G.  Praigg,  of  Tuskaloosa 
Presbytery,  was  chosen  to  succeed  him. 

1887,  p.  213.  Hesolved,  That  the  office  of  treasurer  be  abolished, 
and  that  all  funds  for  this  work  be  sent  directly  to  the  treasiurer  of 
Home  Missions  at  Atlanta. 

The  f(jU(jwing  request  was  granted,  and  the  authority  asked  for 
was  conferred:  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  be  requested 
to  authorize  Dr.  James  T.  Searcy  (with  the  assent  of  the  sub-committee 


Secs.  412-415.  J  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtrch.  245 

designated  in  our  constitution  and  by-laws)  to  negotiate  for  the  sale  of 
the  property  of  the  Institute  in  or  near  Tuskaloosa,  and  when  the  same 
is  sold,  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  be  instructed  to  convey 
the  same  to  the  purchaser ;  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  to  be  re-invested 
in  constructing  a  new  chvu'ch  and  buildings.  This  property  includes 
a  chinch  lot  and  building,  and  the  house  and  lot  occupied  as  a  semi- 
nary or  school. 

412.    The  Southwestern  Theological  Seminary. 

1867,  p.  140.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  decidedly 
adof)ts  the  views  of  the  Presb^'teiy  of  North  Alabama,  that  it  is  inex- 
pedient to  take  measures  for  estabhshing  a  third  theological  seminar}'. 

413.  Inspiration  of  the  Scripttires  in  the  Seminaries. 

1867,  p.  150.  The  Assembly  would  earnestly  impress  on  the  minds 
of  all  having  in  charge  the  government  and  instruction  of  oiu-  Theologi- 
cal Seminaries,  the  vital  importance  of  training  our  future  ministers, 
not  only  to  be  able  and  f aithfvd  ministers  of  the  Word  of  God,  but  also 
to  be  fully  imbued  with  an  imphcit  faith  in  the  plenaiy  and  Uteral  in- 
spired authority  of  the  sacred  Scriptures. 

414.  Standard  of  ministerial  education. 

1872,  p.  158.  The  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures  report  oveiiiu'e 
from  West  Hanover  Presbytery,  respecting  the  standard  of  qualifica- 
tions for  the  sacred  office.  Your  committee  beHeve  that  the  Presbyte- 
ries faithfully  carry  out  the  requirements  of  our  Fonn  of  Government ; 
that  the  standard  of  qualification  for  licensure  and  ordination  actually 
reached  among  us  was  never  higher  than  at  present ;  that  the  measiu'es 
proposed  in  the  overture  would  embarrass  the  Committee  of  Education, 
and  introduce  invidious  distinctions  among  candidates  for  the  ministry. 
Your  committee  therefore  recommend  that  the  further  consideration  of 
the  overture  be  dismissed.     Adoj)ted. 

The  purport  of  this  overture  was,  that  Presbyteries  should  be  earnestly  enjoined 
by  the  Assembly  to  take  order  by  which  all  candidates  for  the  ministry  under  their 
care  shall  l)e  induced  to  prosecute  full  courses  of  both  academical  and  i^rofessional 
study  preparatory  to  licensure;  and  that  the  Committee  of  Education  be  required 
to  refuse  reuderini^  aid  to  any  candidate,  unless  the  Presbytery  recommending  such 
candidate  shall,  with  the  ap2)lication  for  such  aid,  furnish  evidence  that  the  can- 
didate on  whose  account  the  application  has  been  made  has  come  under  the  obli- 
gation of  a  written  pledj^e  to  pursue  such  a  course  of  stu<ly  as  the  Presbytery  may 
have  prescribed  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  our  Form  of  Government.  —  A. 

415.    Change  in  the  mode  and  standard  of  theological  education. 

1869,  p.  373.  A  memorial  from  the  Eev.  E.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  on 
theological  education,  was  presented  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Theological  Seminaries. 

P.  385.  The  committee  have  had  under  consideration  the  memorial 
of  Dr.  Dabney  on  theological  education,  and  tind  therein  many  impor- 
tant suggestions  on  several  features  of  this  generjil  subject  The  re- 
spected author  obviously  contemplates  radical  changes  in  the  process  of 
theological  education,  embracing  changes  in  the  relations  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminaines  to  the  Assembly,  changes  in  the  methods  of  impai't- 
ing  instruction  by  the  professors,  in  the  recognition  of  grades  of  profi- 


246  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Gtenekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

cieucy  among  the  students  by  the  faculty  giving-  instruction,  in  the 
organization  and  powers  of  the  directory  of  the  Seminaries,  and  as  to 
the  subject  of  the  natural  sciences,  instruction  in  which  is  imparted  in 
one  of  our  institutions.  It  will  be  seen  at  once  that  these  topics,  as 
they  are  treated  by  the  memoriahst,  would  constitute  a  necessity  for 
remodehng  the  whole  plan  of  our  Seminaries.  As  far  as  known  to  the 
committee,  these  subjects  have  not  been  under  general  consideration  in 
the  Church,  and  their  importance  foi'bids  at  the  session  of  the  present 
Assembly  that  matured  judgment  which  they  deserve.  The  committee 
therefore  recommend  that  the  memorial  be  referred  to  the  faculty  and 
directors  of  each  Seminary,  and  that  they  report  to  the  next  Assembly 
the  results  of  their  deliberations  at  their  discretion.     Adopted. 

1870,  p.  510.  The  committee  have  considered  the  memorial  of  Eev. 
Dr.  E.  L.  Dabney,  and  the  report  of  the  directors  and  faculty  of  Col- 
umbia Seminary  in  relation  to  the  matters  contained  therein ;  but  as 
no  report  has  been  received  from  the  directors  and  faculty  of  Union 
Seminary  on  this  subject,  we  respectfully  recommend  that,  in  view  of 
the  desirableness  of  uniformity  in  the  management  of  oiu*  Theological 
Seminaries,  and  of  the  importance  and  difficulty  of  the  whole  subject, 
these  papers  be  referred,  together  with  any  report  on  the  same  topic 
that  may  be  received  from  Union  Seminary,  to  a  committee,  whose  duty 
it  shaU  be  to  consider  whether  any  changes  are  necessaiy  or  expedient 
in  the  general  management  of  the  Seminaries,  and  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly.  We  further  recommend,  that  this  committee  be 
composed  of  the  following  persons:  Eev.  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  D.,  Eev. 
J.  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D.,  Eev.  E.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  Eev.  Prof.  James 
Woodrow,  Prof.  John  L.  Campbell,  Prof.  W.  C.  Kerr,  and  Prof.  W.  H. 
Waddell;  and  that  this  committee  meet  at  Greensboro,  N.  C,  at  the 
call  of  the  chairman. 

1871,  p.  18.  The  committee  report  to  the  Assembly  an  overture  of 
the  Trustees  of  Union  Theological  Seminary,  Virginia,  calling  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Assembly  to  a  memorial  on  the  improvement  of  theological 
education,  and  requesting  that  the  subject  may  not  fail  to  receive  atten- 
tion. As  a  committee  of  the  Assembly  exists  upon  this  subject,  it  is 
recommended  that  this  committee  be  advised  to  examine  the  matters 
submitted  to  them ;  and  no  f  tu'ther  action  of  this  Assembly  at  this  time 
is  needed. 

1872,  p.  154.  Eev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick  sitbmitted  a  report  on  the  im- 
provement of  theological  education.  (P.  159.)  Eeferred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Theological  Seminaries. 

P.  178.  This  committee,  to  which  was  referred  an  overture  from 
Augusta  Presbytery  on  theological  education,  and  also  a  connnunication 
from  the  chaii'man.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick,  of  the  committee,  ad  intcr'un,  ap- 
pointed by  the  Assembly  of  1870  to  consider  a  memorial  signed  by  Eev. 
R.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  touching  the  government  of  theological  seminaries, 
and  the  more  effective  conduct  of  education  pursued  in  them,  made  a 
report,  whi(;h  was  laid  on  the  table,  and  the  committee  was  discharged. 

1874,  p.  484.  Overtxu-e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta  complains 
of  the  defectiveness  of  the  present  system  of  ministerial  training,  and 
requests  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  make  provision  for  certain 
specific  changes. 

P.  486.    liesolved.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire  whether 


Sec.  415.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chxirch.  247 

any  changes  in  the  methods  of  conducting  the  education  of  candidates 
for  the  ministry  in  our  Theological  Seminaries  be  advisable ;  and  if  any, 
what  changes  should  be  made.  The  committee  to  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly. 

Eev.  Messrs.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Geo.  Howe,  D.  D.,  C.  A.  StiUman, 
D.  D.,  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  and  J.  L.  Kiik- 
patrick,  D.  D.,  were  appointed  such  committee.     (P.  492.) 

1875,  p.  45.     The  committee  was  continued  vmtil  the  next  Assembly. 

1876,  p.  208.  The  committee  ai)pointed  last  3-ear  on  the  theological 
education  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  made  a  report,  through  its 
chaiiinan,  the  Kev.  B.  M.  Smith,  J).  D.,  and  the  following  resolution, 
offered  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Robinson,  was  adopted,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  action  on  the  recommendation  of  this  report  be  de- 
ferred to  the  next  General  Assembly ;  meanwhile,  that  so  much  of  it  as 
sets  forth  the  proposed  modifications  in  our  methods  of  educating  can- 
didates be  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  this  Assembly. 

The  following  is  so  much  of  the  above  report  as  is  found  in  the  Ap- 
pendix : 

P.  272.  The  Rev.  B.  M.  Smith  presented  a  report,  in  accordance  with  a  resolu- 
tion of  the  Assembly  of  ISTi,  appointing  a  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Drs.  B. 
M.  Smith,  B.  M.  Palmer,  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  €.  A.  StiUman,  George  Howe,  and  S. 
Robinson,  to  consider  and  report  ' '  whether  any,  and  if  any,  what  changes  in  the 
methods  of  conducting  the  education  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  may  be  de- 
sirable. "  Dr.  Smith  introduced  the  report  by  stating  that  it  was  prepared  to  be 
sent  to  the  Assembly,  to  be  read  by  some  one  else,  as  he  did  not  decide  imtil  last 
Tuesday  morning  to  come  himself.  This  fact  would  account  for  its  length,  as  it 
embraced  more  discussion  than  would  otherwise  have  been  deemed  necessarj'.  The 
Assembly,  however,  would  not  be  taxed  with  hearing  any  discussion  from  him  in 
any  remarks  explaining  its  propositions.  He  assumed  the  entire  responsil)ility  for 
the  paper ;  for  there  had  been  a  failure  to  get  the  committee  together.  He  had, 
by  personal  conference  with  three,  and  correspondence  with  all  his  associates,  suc- 
ceeded in  i^ossessing  himself  of  their  views ;  and  while  all  might  not  agree  in  all 
the  propositions  now  presented,  he  felt  jiersuaded  all  would  not  dissent  from  all  of 
them.  He  felt  assured  that  all  would  substantinlly  agree  in  the  scape  and  jnrrpose 
of  the  repcu-t,  which  he  hoped  would  be  acceptable  to  the  Assembly. 

I.  He  then  jiroceeded  to  state  the  provisions  of  the  Form  of  Government,  re- 
specting "examining,"  "licensing, "  and  " ordaining  "  ministers ;  showing  the  part 
assigned  to  the  Presbytery,  and  to  it  akme,  in  the  work.  But  this  made  no  provi- 
sion for  any  "method  of  educating  candidates,"  other  than  inferential,  in  a  recog- 
nition of  the  agency  of  academical  institutions  of  various  grades.  Such,  beginning 
with  the  "  log  colleges"  of  an  early  period  in  the  last  century,  had  been  founded 
and  controlled  by  ecclesiastical  agencies,  connected  with  the  voluntary  co-operation 
of  the  i)eople;  and  they  had  been  sustained  by  praiseworthy  zeal  and  liberality. 
Many  had  reached  the  raidv  of  colleges,  and  even  universities,  and  in  the  course  of 
study  some  special  i)rovisit)n  had  been  made  for  in-epiu-ing  young  men  for  the 
mmistry  by  ai)i)ropriate  courses  of  instruction.  Late  in  the  last,  and  early  in  this 
century,  the  scheme  of  separate  institutions  for  teaching  theoktgy  had  been  set  on 
foot,  which  had  culminated  in  the  establishment  of  Princeton  in  1812-'!;^,  Auburn 
in  181(i,  Union  (Va.),  Allegheny,  and  Columbia,  about  1824-'27,  New  Hanover  (now 
"Northwest")  in  Chicago,  Union  (N.  Y.),  and  Danville  at  later  periods.  But  the 
words  "theological  seminary"  nowhere  occur  in  our  standards.  The  Assembly 
and  Synods,  under  whose  care  and  control  most  of  these  institutions  had  been 
founded  and  grown  up,  had  extended  a  wise  and  watchful  oversight.  But  they 
had  all  been  organized  in  methods  of  instruction  very  much  on  the  type  of  Au- 
dover,  in  New  England,  which  was  either  itself  their  modi'l,  or  had  \\ith  them  a 
common  type.  They  had  })rovided  I'ourses  of  instruction,  as  to  order  and  time, 
embracing  tliree  classes  and  three  years,  and  i)roposing  preparation  of  candidates 
for  Presbyterial  examination ;  but,  thus  far,  the  relation  of  these  institutions  and 
Presbyteries  was  not  clearly  defined  Recently  a  co-operation  of  these  two  parties 
to  the  education  of  candidates  had  been  estaljlished,  by  which  arrangements  exist 
for  reports  from  Seminaries  to  Presbyteries  on  the  demeanor  and  progress  of  candi- 


248  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Generax  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

dates,  and  in  one  seminary  a  regulation  also  found  place,  requiring  candidates,  on 
entering  the  Seminary,  to  be  under  care  of  a  Presbytery,  or  to  form  sucli  connec- 
tion as  speedily  as  practicable. 

The  examinations  of  Presbyteries  had  frequently  been  very  imperfect.  Cases 
even  occurred  when  a  candidate  would  be  lander  "care"  of  Presbytery  only  twenty- 
four  hours,  during  which  all  his  examinations  had  to  be  passed,  and  all  his  trial- 
pieces  to  be  read.  The  minuteness,  thoroughness,  and  fidelity  of  their  examina- 
tions depended  very  much  on  the  member  or  members  of  Presbytery  by  whom  they 
were  conducted.  Besides  this,  there  had  not  been  exercised  due  oversight  of  the 
course  of  study,  as  to  subjects  and  extent  which  is  required ;  and  too  often,  other 
than  "extraordinary  cases"  have  been  allowed  to  obtain  licensure,  under  less  evi- 
dence of  fitness  than  our  standards  require.  For  such  cases  the  plea  has  been  ever 
ready,  "that  many  useful  and  even  eminent  ministers  had  made  as  defective  show 
at  first, "  and,  indulging  the  hope  that  these  candidates  would  also  prove  exceptions 
to  the  law  of  the  Church,  the  Presbytery  has  granted  license. 

The  arrangements  of  the  Seminary,  though  not  constitutionally  recognized,  have, 
by  custom,  been  accepted  as  satisfactory  for  imparting  the  requisite  instruction  to 
candidates.  These  arrangements  only  provide  a  course  of  study  and  certain  annual 
examinations,  having  passed  through  all  which,  7wt  discreditably,  candidates  are 
entitled  to  "certificates"  of  the  fact,  in  which  no  discrimination  of  gi-ade  of  qualifi- 
cation is  indicated.  So  a  student  entering  the  Jimior  class  expects,  and  the  Pres- 
bytery and  his  friends  expect  of  course,  he  will  be  ready  for  licensiire  at  the  end  of 
the  third.  But  the  inequality  in  previous  mental  culture  and  attainments  which 
characterize  a  class  of  young  men,  coming  from  various  institutions  of  various 
grades,  must  naturally  be  projected,  more  or  less,  in  the  same  degi'ee,  through  the 
whole  course,  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  instructor  and  the  instructed. 

II.  After  setting  forth  brieily  the  methods  of  conducting  the  education  of  candi- 
dates now  existing  under  oversight  of  Presbytery  and  instruction  in  the  Seminary, 
the  report  proceeds  to  consider  what  changes  are  desirable.  The  overture  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Augusta,  on  which  the  committee  was  raised,  proposed  a  distinct 
change,  so  that  the  Seminary  should  provide  a  scholastic  year  of  six  months  instruc- 
tion and  six  months  vacation,  in  which  latter  time  the  students  may  be  engaged  in 
"Home  Mission  or  Colportage  Work."  This  evidently  coincides  with  a  demand 
heard  in  various  forms  for  a  training  of  candidates  in  what  is  called  a  ''practical 
work. "  The  Presbytery  by  no  means  depreciates  the  formally  stated  and  tradition- 
ally confirmed  estimate  of  the  value  of  a  highly  educated  ministry,  for  which  our 
Church  has  ever  been  distinguished,  but  properly  proposes  some  means  by  which 
such  a  training  may  be  added  to  the  required  scholastic  training — the  art  of  preach- 
ing attained  along  with  the  science. 

From  1799  to  1844,  various  efforts  have  been  made,  in  and  out  of  the  Assembly, 
to  increase  the  length  of  the  time  (two  years)  required  for  the  study  of  theology; 
and  in  1844  the  Assembly  decided  that,  as  "two  years"  is  the  miniinum  laid  down, 
any  proper  authority  might  constitutionally  lengthen  it  without  any  change  of  the 
Form  of  Government  being  required.  Some  have  proposed  a  coiirse  of  four  years, 
equally  divided  into  time  for  study  and  vacation,  which  may  be  spent  as  above  sug- 
gested, or  entirely  devoted  to  study,  on  which  an  examination  shall  be  held  on  the 
opening  of  the  session ;  and  yet,  others  insist  that  whatever  time  be  allowed  for  va- 
cation shall  he  spent  in  some  remunerative  and  useful  employment  by  those  need- 
ing aid,  and  by  others  not  needing  it  as  they  see  best. 

Many  other  suggestions  have  been  presented,  all  partaking  of  the  character  of 
those  now  stated,  and  demonstrating  that,  though  rated  at  various  vahies,  they  to- 
gether show  the  (;all  for  careful  and  wise  consideration  of  the  best  means  of  giving 
additioual  vigor  to  this  right  arm  of  the  Church — the  rearing  of  a  faithful  ministry. 

In  all  that  has  been,  or  may  be  said,  it  must  ever  be  distinctly  and  emphatically 
borne  in  mind,  that  no  means,  however  well  devised,  can  seciire  the  object  desired, 
except  by  the  Divine  agency ;  and  no  methods  or  means  of  training  are  of  any  avail 
unless  there  be  true  piety,  and  growing  piety,  in  the  candidate.  Biit  equally  must 
we  rememljer  that  God  works  by  means. 

Most,  if  not  all  the  suggested  changes,  relate  to  the  part  taken  by  the  Seminarj' 
in  the  education  of  the  candidate.  Theological  seminaries  have  existed  for  a  period 
of  one-half  to  three-fourths  (nearly)  of  a  century.  But  they  have  all  remained  very 
much,  as  to  organization,  in  principle,  the  same.  In  our  own  and  the  Northern 
Church  they  have  been  an  experiment;  and  the  faculties  of  several  seminaries  there 
have  had  conventions  to  discniss  the  very  subject  which  is  preseuted  in  this  paper. 

When  we  propose  t(j  consider  the  suggestions  offered  as  changes  in  the  way  of 
amendments  to  our  existing  organizations,  we  are  at  once  met  \vith  the  difficulty, 


Sec.  415.]  •         The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  249 

either  that  they  conflict  with  the  existing  features  in  such  organizations,  or  are  in- 
consistent with  each  other. 

However  apparently  presumptuous  and  bold  the  suggestion  of  an  entire  remodel- 
ing of  these  institutions  may  appear,  yet,  if  we  desire  to  meet  even  those  criticisms 
which  ai'e  best  founded,  no  other  course  is  left.  In  such  re-organization,  however, 
it  may  be  found  that  nothing  essential  to  success  in  the  work  of  committing  the 
gospel  to  faithful  men  now  existing  -will  be  jeoparded,  as  it  may  be  retained  in  other 
than  the  present  combinations. 

III.  The  Presbytery  stands  to  the  candidate  in  the  relation  of  a  parent,  the  Semi- 
nary of  a  teacher.  No  candidate  who  is  so  self-confident  as  to  depreciate  the  opin- 
ion of  the  Presbyterj-,  setting  forth,  as  it  does,  the  views  formulated  in  our  consti- 
tution, and  representing  the  wisdom  of  ages,  can  be  considered  as  uncpiestionably 
called  to  the  ministry.  Aside  from  "extraordinary  cases,"  let  Presbyteries,  then, 
be  required  strictly  and  conscientiously  to  adhere  to  the  obligati<m  to  continue  the 
application  of  the  prescribed  tests  of  the  sutticiency  of  the  candidate,  not  for  tiro,  or 
ten,  or  (iny  prescribed  number  of  years,  but  till  fully  satii(fied  that  such  efficiency  has 
been  secured.     Thus, 

1.  On  discovering  insufficiency  in  any  parts  of  trial,  the  Presbytery  has  lio  discre- 
tion, but  must  require  the  candidate  to  renew  his  efforts  for  preparation. 

2.  Let  Presbytery  take  "care"  of  the  candidate,  in  directing  the  place,  course, 
and  extent  of  his  study,  omitting  nothing  of  the  last  named  which  will  reduce  the 
minimum  of  preparation  required  in  the  Ftirm  of  Government. 

3.  The  Presbytery  mi;st  settle  each  case  for  itself,  as  to  what  time  maj'  be  pro- 
fitably spent  in  preparatory  training  in  the  art,  while  making  prejDaratiou  in  the 
science  of  his  profession — /.  e.,  how  much  of  Christian  clinicH  must  be  combined  vrith. 
Christian  teaching.  Diversities  of  age,  with  the  same  mental  culture,  or  of  mental 
culture  with  the  same  age,  or  of  one  or  both,  with  pecuniary  need,  may  lead  to  di- 
versities of  training  in  this  respect,  from  the  minimum  of  no  formal  prescription  for 
those  already  practised  in  Sabbath-schools,  j^rayer-meetings,  and  other  employ- 
ments, to  a  maximum  which  may  extend  the  time  for  siich  training  through  vaca- 
tions of  a  course  of  study  in  the  college  or  university  (in  some  cases),  and  the  Semi- 
nary in  all,  double  in  time  to  that  which  may  be  reqiiired  of  those  who  devote  all 
their  time  to  diligent  and  successful  study  alone. 

4.  Presbyteries  should  arrange  for  more  frequent  intercourse  with  candidates, 
providing  for  such  as  may  be  pursuing  study  in  institutions  at  long  distances  to  be 
placed  under  the  tem^jorary  care  of  Presbyteries  within  easily  accessible  distances 
of  such  institutions,  allo\\ing  such  courts  to  perform  for  a  time  the  diities  of  the  pa- 
rent Presbytery,  but  reserving  to  such  Presbytery  the  diity  of  examining  them  on 
theology,  and  hearing  their  trial-pieces.  An  aid  in  this  supervision  is  already  pro- 
vided in  the  arrangement  for  reports  from  the  institutions  of  learning  where  candi- 
dates may  be  placed. 

5.  In  all  such  modes  of  supervising  their  candidates.  Presbyteries  shoiild  avoid 
making  requisitions  inconsistent  with  the  duties  they  owe  to  the  college  or  Theo- 
logical Seminary ;  biit  still  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  authority  of  the  Pres- 
bytery is  even  paramount  and  correlative  wath  its  greater  responsibihty. 

IV.  The  Seminaries  should  arrange  their  courses  and  progi-amme  of  studies,  that 
a  student  of  tit  preparation,  ordinary  diligence  and  mental  culture  can  prosecute 
the  whole  successfully  in  the  usual  period  of  three  sessions  of  eight  or  nine  months 
each.     But, 

1.  In  no  case  ought  a  student  to  be  allowed  to  matriculate  (except  as  directed  as  an 
"extraordinary  case"  by  the  Presbytery)  withoiit  the  academical  preparation  pro- 
vided by  our  Form  of  Government ;  though  a  mental  culture  derived  from  the  suc- 
cessful study  of  law  or  medicme,  might  be  accepted,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, as  tantamount  qualiticution,  and  be  attested  to  the  Seminary. 

2.  The  arrangement  of  the  course  of  study  may  be,  as  at  present,  in  rlasi*es,  though 
it  maj'  be  l)etter  to  construct  it  in  departments  or  schools,  somewhat  in  the  manner 
of  some  literary  institutions.  In  any  event,  there  should  be  for  each  study  at  least 
two  grades.  The  whole  course  shall  be  of  such  extent  that  it  shall  comjirise,  sis  a 
minimum,  all  that  is  re(]uired  by  our  Form  of  Government;  and  to  the  satisfactory 
accomplishment  of  it  a  student  of  average  capacity,  preparatory  titness  and  ordi- 
nary diligence  may  be  competent  in  the  period  of  three  years. 

3.  Those  competent  to  accomi)lish  the  course  in  less  time,  by  extra  study  during 
vacation,  or  by  unusual  talents  or  mental  culture,  or  both,  shall  have  the  oppor- 
tunity, by  a  projjer  arrangement  t)f  the  progi'anime  of  lectures  and  recitations,  to 
combine  some  part  of  the  studies  of  one  class  or  grade  with  the  whole  of  those  of 
another,  in  any  year,  so  as  to  complete  the  whole  in  a  shorter  period  than  three 


250  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

years.  Arrangements  shall  also  be  made  by  which  students,  under  Presbyterial  di- 
rection or  authority,  may  be  allowed  to  prosecute  the  course  on  a  less  average 
amount  of  study  than  that  prescribed  for  each  year,  involving  an  entii'e  course  of 
more  than  three  years. 

4.  In  no  case  shall  a  student  be  allowed  to  pass  from  one  grade  in  any  stiidy  to 
the  next  higher  till  he  shall  have  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  on  the  former. 
The  grade  of  attainment  shall  be  fixed  by  the  faculty,  and  shall  be  absolute,  not  rela- 
tive,  so  that  its  attainment  may  he  possible  to  all  who  use  the  proper  application. 
The  grade  of  attainment  of  each  study  shall  be  ascertained  by  the  faculty  on  a  pro- 
per combination  of  the  merit  of  the  student,  reached  by  the  entire  course  of  recita- 
tions of  a  given  period  with  that  which  he  attains  on  examination  at  its  close.  There 
may  be  two  or  more  such  examinations,  but  always  at  least  one,  in  each  session,  on 
each  study  prosecuted  dimng  the  session.  Reports  of  diligence  and  attainment 
shall  be  made  annually,  or  of  tener,  to  the  Presbyteries  to  whom  the  candidates  stand 
related  by  residence  or  by  formal  adoption  iinder  their  ' '  care. "  The  faculty  shall 
give  each  student  who  desires  it  a  certificate  of  satisfactory  or  lyroficient  attainment, 
according  to  his  grade  of  scholarship. 

5.  To  the  regular  may  be  added  a  'post-graduate  coiirse,  open,  under  the  same 
regulations  which  apply  to  the  ordinary  coiirse,  to  students  desiring  its  advantages 
for  extending  their  knowledge  in  any  direction. 

V.  The  scheme  thus  brietiy  set  forth  is  commended  to  a  favorable  regard  by  the 
following  considerations : 

1.  The  authority  of  Presbytery,  as  set  forth  in  our  standards,  in  this  whole  mat- 
ter, is  fully  defined,  and  accepted  as  indefeasible.  At  the  same  time,  the  power  of 
the  Assembly  is  provided  to  control  the  methods  of  ediicating  candidates,  both  in 
the  work  of  the  Presbytery  and  the  Seminary.  There  is  no  demand  for  a  change 
in  our  Form  of  Government.  AH  that  is  needed  is,  that  Presbytery  fully  carries 
out  its  provisions,  and  that  the  course  of  study  in  the  Seminary  be  so  ordered  as  to 
render  the  most  efticient  aid  for  that  purpose. 

2.  The  proposed  changes  provide  an  adaptation  of  the  methods  of  study  to  the 
varied  demands  of  candidates,  and  the  arrangements  of  their  Presbyteries  respect- 
ing them,  which  may  be  due  to  difference  in  age,  previous  mental  culture,  and  op- 
portunities for  exercise,  during  the  periods  of  a  candidate's  preparatory  study  in  the 
details  of  ministerial  duty,  under  authoritative  direction  and  supervision. 

3.  While  avoiding  the  evils  of  laying  the  groundwork  for  a  vicious  enu;lation 
among  students,  a  healthy  stimulus  to  a  i^roper  effort  for  the  highest  excellence  is 
provided,  so  that  the  Scripture  illustration  is  applicable,  in  that,  in  this  as  in  the 
Christian  race,  all  run,  and  all,  not  merely  one,  may  obtain  the  prize. 

4.  The  gradual  elevation  of  the  standards  of  ministerial  qualification  will  do  away 
with  the  alleged  ground  of  delinqTiency  on  the  part  of  members  of  Presbytery  in 
conducting  the  strict  examinations  of  candidates,  /.  e.,  an  incompetency  from  the 
loss  of  knowledge,  because  insuflicientlj'  obtained  in  the  time  of  preparatory  study. 

5.  Although  the  matter  of  scholastic  education  is  that  which,  in  accordance  with 
the  purpose  of  the  i^receding  discussions  of  the  methods  of  educating  candidates, 
on  the  part*  of  the  Seminary,  has  been  prominently  presented,  it  by  no  means  fol- 
lows that  religious  culture  is  depreciated.  On  the  contrary,  the  jjrojjosed  arrange- 
ments for  securing  the  most  diligent  application  will  enure  to  promote,  and  not 
hinder,  growth  in  grace.  The  more  we  lessen  the  oijjiortunities  and  temptations  to 
idleness,  and  repress  the  natural  tendencies  to  slothfi;l  habits  and  indulgence  in 
trifling  pursuits,  the  more  will  we  cultivate  a  manly  piety  and  consecration  to  the 
Master's  service. 

6.  The  scope  and  end  of  the  whole  scheme  will  bring  the  Church  nearer,  every 
year,  to  the  recpiisitions  of  her  duty.  The  j^astcn-al  epistles  are  replete  with  urgent 
exhortations  to  those  who  propose  to  be  "faithful  men  of  God"  in  the  ministry  of 
his  Son— that,  on  the  one  hand,  they  avoid  all  trifling  pursuits;  and  on  the  other, 
earnestly  apply  their  minds  to  reading,  meditation,  prayer,  and  exhortation,  in 
order  to  be  "thoroughly  furnished"  for  the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  by  being 
"nourished  up"  with  the  words  of  sound  doctrine,  and  made  apt  to  teach.  The 
deniiil  or  skej^tical  (estimate  of  our  re(]uisitions,  in  accordance  with  the  Divine  teach- 
ing, has  been  due  to  an  inadequate  conce2)tion  of  the  value  of  scholastic  attain- 
ments, or  to  attaching  an  undue  importance  to  some  cons])ici;ons  examples  of  men, 
uniting  large  measures  of  knowledge  with  small  capacity  to  impart  it,  ox  of  men, 
less  rarely  found,  who,  with  superficial  attainments  in  books,  have  never  learned 
the  true  wisdom  which  teaches  humility,  or  the  i)rudence  which  might  conceal  igno- 
rance. 

7.  While  the  ordinary  and  average  attainments  of  candidates  may  suffice  for  the 


Sec.  415.  J  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  251 

ordinary  requisitions  of  tlie  ministerial  office,  the  progress  in  academical  culture, 
and  the  wider  sjjhere  of  investigation  j^nrsued  in  some  sciences,  with  the  res\alts 
postulated,  whether  rightly  or  not,  propositions  of  true  science,  with  the  more  ex- 
tended study  of  languages,  ethnography,  and  the  diverse  systems  of  moral  jjhiloso- 
phy  and  of  theology,  both  natural  and  revealed,  call  for  men  fully  equipped  with  a 
thorough  Biblical  knowledge  and  acquaintance  with  cognate  subjects  of  study,  who 
may  be  able  to  repel  the  attacks  of  skepticism  and  inlidelity,  however  protean  their 
forms  or  insidious  their  devices.  AVe  may  safely  leave  to  the  providence  of  God's 
gi-ace  the  selection  from  well-trained  men  of  those  best  fitted  for  special  fields  of 
lal)or. 

VI.   Of  objections  a  few  may  be  noticed : 

1.  We  need  not  recoil  from  the  plan  proposed  becaiise  revolutionary.  The 
scheme  of  education  by  means  of  theological  seminaries  is,  at  best,  an  experiment. 
The  requisitions  of  our  Form  of  Government  remaining  the  same,  it  is  the  part  of 
wisdom  to  do  all  we  can  to  render  the  Seminaries  most  fit  to  provide  a  training 
fully  to  meet  these  requisitions.  The  modifications  proposed  may  be  gradually  in- 
troduced. Beginning  with  that  which  provides  more  rigid  tests  of  the  candidate's 
progress  and  competency,  the  rest  will  logically  follow. 

2.  There  need  be  no  fear  of  establishing  several  classes  of  ministers,  or  of  engen- 
dering the  evils  of  caMe.  Distinctions  based  on  scholarship  by  no  means  decide 
ministerial  standing:  for  this  piety,  aptness  to  teach,  and  nameless  less  valuable, 
but  important,  accomplishments  will,  in  any  case,  enter  as  elements  in  establishing 
character  and  worth.  High  scholarshii)  will,  meanwhile,  lay  a  foundation  for  ulti- 
mate success  in  overcoming  other  deficiencies. 

3.  No  reply  need  be  given  those  wlu)  reject  all  changes  merely  because  changes. 
VII    This  venerable  court  is  asked  to  express  the  views  now  elaborately  set  forth 

by  adopting  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  The  Assembly  recommends  to  the  aathorities  of  the  Seminaries  more  effectual 
tests  of  the  attainments  of  candidates  in  the  course  of  study;  suspending  the  pass- 
ing them  from  a  lower  to  a  higher  stage  on  the  ascertained  satisfactory  standing  of 
the  student  on  each,  and  the  attainments  on  the  whole  by  similar  tests  on  the  final 
stage  of  the  course. 

2.  That  the  injunction  to  Presbyteries  (Minutes,  1875,  p.  28,  bottom)  be  repeated, 
and  urged  on  the  attention  of  Presbyteries. 

3.  That  Presbyteries  take  order  in  a  wise  discretion  for  supplying  candidates 
deemed  to  need  training  in  the  art  of  the  minister's  i)astoral  work,  servic^es  which 
will,  with  this  purpose,  also  be  so  remunerative  as  to  aid  such  in  the  means  of  self- 
support  while  engaged  in  preparatory  study. 

1877,  p.  416.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans,  asldng 
the  Assembly  not  to  take  action  at  this  meeting  on  the  report  and  re- 
solutions on  theological  education  presented  to  the  last  Assembly,  and 
referred  for  consideration  to  this  Assembly,  on  the  allegation  that  the 
paper  contained  suggestions  which  appear  too  undigested,  and  the  re- 
solutions i)roposed  by  the  Assembly  are  too  vague.  It  proposes  the 
further  postponement  of  the  subject,  and  its  reference  to  the  same  or 
another  committee. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  the  Assembly  do  now  proceed  to  con- 
sider this  subject,  and  presents  herewith  a  paper,  setting  forth  in  more 
detail  and  definite  propositions  the  topics  comprehensively  presented 
in  1,  2,  and  8,  p.  278,  Minutes,  1876,  for  the  consideration  of  this  As- 
sembly: 

This  General  Assembly,  in  view  of  the  suggestions  of  the  reiK)i-t  on 
thet)logical  education  referred  to  it  by  the  Assembly  of  1876,  respect- 
ing the  desirableness  of  sundry  modifications  in  our  methods  of  train- 
ing candidates  for  the  ministry,  hereby  solenmly  recommends  to  the 
Presbyteries,  and  to  the  Theological  Seminaries  under  its  care,  to  tjike 
order,  in  their  respective  spheres  of  service  in  such  training,  for  cai'ry- 
ing  forward  that  training  in  the  nietlK)ds  herein  commended. 

I.  1.  The  Presbyteries  shall  observe,  with  increased  strictness,  the 
provisions  of  our  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XIV.,  Sees.  III.-VI. ; 


252  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

and,  to  avoid  precipitate  action  in  the  licensing  of  candidates,  they 
shall  be  rec[uired  to  pass  through  a  probation  of  at  least  one  year,  in- 
volving an  attendance  on  at  least  two  meetings  of  Presbyteiy,  at  each 
of  which  a  portion  of  their  examinations  shall  be  held.  The  examina- 
tion of  candidates  in  the  Seminary  shall  in  no  case  supersede  the  ex- 
amination by  Presbytery. 

2.  Eveiy  candidate,  except  as  regarded  as  an  "  exti'aordinary'  case," 
(Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XIV.,  Sec.  VI.,)  shall  be  required  to  pro- 
secute satisfactorily  the  scholastic  course  prescribed  in  the  Form  of 
Government,  and,  at  the  discretion  of  Presbytery,  exhibit  any  other 
evidences  of  piety,  Hteratui'e,  and  aptness  to  teach  which  may  be  re- 
quired by  Presbytery. 

3.  To  improve  candidates  in  "  aptness  to  teach,"  the  Presbyteries 
are  ad\ised  to  pro-side  opportunities  for  such  as  need  additional  advan- 
tages for  that  pui'pose,  by  granting  them  permission,  for  a  hmited  pe- 
riod and  prescribed  field  of  labors,  to  conduct  public  religious  sei-vices 
involving  the  exposition  of  the  Scriptures,  and  provide  for  the  adequate 
superintendence  of  such  candidates,  and  for  a  reasonable  compensation 
for  their  services ;  and  no  candidate  shall  assume  such  privileges  except 
by  leave  of  Presbytery. 

4.  Candidates  whose  residences  are  at  an  inconvenient  distance  from 
a  Seminar}"  for  a  properly  frequent  attendance  on  Presbyteries  may  be 
temj)orariIy  placed  under  the  care  of  some  Presbytery  more  convenient 
to  the  Seminary;  but  ordinarily  such  candidates  shall  be  required  to 
pass  their  final  examinations  and  receive  Hcensure  by  the  Presbytery 
under  whose  care  they  had  been  first  taken. 

II.  1.  The  Presbyteries  are  advised  so  to  arrange  their  programme 
of  study  that  candidates  may  abridge  or  extend  the  time  of  scholastic 
study,  according  to  previous  preparation  and  ability  for  its  successful 
prosecution ;  but  in  no  case  shall  such  programme  lessen  the  requisi- 
tions of  oiu'  Form  of  Government. 

2.  In  no  case,  except  under  the  authority  of  Presbytery,  shall  a  can- 
didate be  allowed  to  pass  to  a  higher  grade  of  study  till  he  shall  have 
sustained  a  satisfactory  examination  on  the  studies  of  the  grade  pre- 
ceding. 

3.  The  authorities  of  the  Seminaries  shall  annually  repoi-t  to  the 
Presbyteries  with  which  candidates  may  be  connected,  by  a  formal  re- 
lation, or  by  residence,  their  scholastic  progress,  and  whatever  else  re- 
specting their  merit  the  Presbyteries  may  request. 

4.  They  shall  also  provide  a  course  of  "vacation  study,"  of  such  a 
character  that  they  can  be  successfully  prosecuted  in  private,  and  on 
which  the  student  shall  pass  a  satisfactory  examination.  This  provi- 
sion is  designed  to  meet  the  wishes  of  candidates  who,  in  the  judgment 
of  their  Presbyteries,  ought  to  complete  the  prescribed  course  of  study 
in  a  less  period  than  three  yeai's,  either  to  enter  on  the  work  of  the 
ministiy  or  to  spend  an  additional  year  in  prosecuting  such  a  post- 
graduate course  of  study  as  the  faculties  of  the  Seminaries  may  pre- 
scribe.    Adopted. 

In  adopting  this  report  the  General  Assembly  distmctly  disclaims  any 
purpose  to  exercise  any  right  not  clearly  given  by  the  constitution,  or  to 
restrict  in  the  slightest  degree  the  rights  of  the  Presbyteries  in  the 
premises.     The  report  is  advisory  only. 

1882,  p.  564.     A  series  of  resolutions  were  introduced  into  the  As- 


Sec.  415.  ]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  253 

sembly  by  Rev.  C  W.  Lane,  D.  D.,  proposing  to  raise  a  committee  to 
consider  and  repoi-t  to  the  next  General  Assembly  certain  matters  spe- 
cified in  said  paper. 

P.  5Go.  The  foUoxN-ing  was  adopted :  "  "With  regard  to  the  paper  in- 
troduced by  Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  D.  D.,  your  committee  would  recommend 
that  resolutions  1st,  3rd  and  -ith  be  adt)pted,  with  the  exception  that 
the  c(jmmittee  contemplated  in  resolution  1st  be  composed  of  seven 
members,  viz. :  four  ministers  and  three  lading  elders."' 

The  paper  thus  amended  and  adopted  is  as  follows : 

1.  That  a  committee  consisting  of  seven  members,  viz. :  four  minis- 
ters and  three  ruhng  elders,  with  alternates,  be  appointed  to  report  to 
the  next  General  Assembly  on  the  following  jDoints  relating  to  the  pre- 
paration of  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry,  and  on  any  related  topics 
which  may  suggest  themselves  to  the  committee : 

(a)  "Whether  the  constitution  of  the  Church  should  not  be  changed 
so  that,  as  to  the  general  education  of  a  candidate  for  the  ministry',  it 
be  deemed  sufficient  that  he  be  a  graduate  of  any  respectable  coUege  or 
university-,  or  mihtars'  institution  whose  curriculum  equals  in  extent 
that  of  an  average  college,  even  though  the  coiu'se  of  study  has  not  in- 
cluded Latin  and  Greek,  (b)  Whether,  in  such  case,  the  study  of  He- 
brew, or  an  equivalent  study  of  the  English  Scriptui'es,  shaU  be  left  op- 
tional to  such  student  in  his  theological  course,  (c)  "Whether,  in  case 
the  above  changes  be  made  in  the  constitution,  it  shall  not  still  be  re- 
quired of  candidates  taken  under  care  of  Presbytexy,  at  or  before  begin- 
ning their  college  coiu'se  (if  under  nineteen  years  of  age),  to  study  Latin, 
Greek  or  Hebrew,  as  now  recpiired.  (<?)  Whether,  if  a  c;indidate  be 
between  nineteen  and  twenty-five  years  of  age,  he  shah  ntjt  be  allowed 
to  take  an  elective  course  for  graduation  at  a  respectable  coUege  or  uni- 
versity, or  a  coui'se  of  study  elsewhere  equivalent  to  one  of  the  courses 
requii-ed  for  graduation  at  a  respectable  coUege  or  imiversity.  (e) 
Whether,  when  a  candidate  who  is  twenty-five  or  more  years  of  age,  pre- 
sents himself  to  be  taken  under  care  of  Presbytery,  an}-thing  more  shall 
be  absolutely  required  of  him  for  hcensiu'e  and  ordination  than  a  good 
English  education  (such  as  can  be  obtained  at  a  good  academy  or  high- 
school),  and  the  study  of  dixinity  in  Enghsh  for  at  least  two  years 
under  an  approved  divine  or  at  an  approved  theological  seminary,  (f) 
Whether,  among  "the  parts' of  trial,"  an  analysis  ia  English  of  one  book 
of  the  Old  Testament  and  one  of  the  New  shall  not  be  substituted  for 
the  "Latin  exegesis."  (f/)  Whether  the  systematic  and  daily  study  of 
the  entire  Bible  in  English  shall  not,  so  fai'  as  is  practicable,  be  re- 
quired of  all  candidates  for  the  ministiy  in  their  theological  coui'se; 
and  whether  there  shall  not  be  a  classical  dixinity  coui'se  and  an  Eng- 
lish divinity  coui'se,  either  of  which  may  be  piu'sued  by  the  candidate 
according  to  his  prexious  course  of  study. 

2.  That  the  professors  in  our  Theological  Seminaries  and  denomina- 
tional colleges,  and  the  secretaries  of  the  Assembly's  executive  commit- 
tees be  requested,  and  the  whole  Church  be  invited,  to  communicate 
their  xiews  in  writing  on  the  above  and  related  topics  to  the  committee. 

3.  That  this  paper  be  published  in  the  IMinutes  of  the  Assembly,  and 
a  copy  fiu'nished  to  each  of  our  Church  papers  for  publication. 

In  jxccordance  with  resolution  1st  the  following  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, viz.:  J.  H.  NaU,  H.  M.  Smith,  C.  W.  litine,  W.  E.  Boggs, 
ministers ;  W.  W.  Lumpkin,  W.  G.  Vardell,  W.  A.  Clai-ke,  lailing  elders. 


254  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1883,  p.  18.  The  reijort  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  last  As- 
sembly on  proposed  changes  in  the  education  of  the  ministry,  together 
with  a  minority  report,  was  read  and  received.  Upon  a  motion  to  adopt 
the  majority  report,  a  paper  was  introduced  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  C.  W.  Lane 
as  a  substitute. 

P.  21.     The  substitute  was  lost. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  in  answer  to 
Presbyterial  overtures  that  have  reference  to  ministerial  education, 
together  with  the  substantive  proj^ositions  of  the  majority  report  on 
this  subject,  was  adopted  as  foUows : 

It  is  deemed  unnecessary  by  this  General  Assembly  to  make  any 
change  in  our  standard  of  ministerial  education  or  qualifications. 

P.  89.     The  following  is  the  report,  as  taken  from  the  Appendix : 

Having  carefully  considered  tlie  memorial,  and  the  reasons  urged  in  its  support, 
together  with  such  views  of  the  whole  subject  as  have  been  communicated  to  your 
committee,  in  accordance  with  resolution  2  (as  cited  above),  we  are  agreed  on  these 
general  principles  as  preliminary  to  the  general  discussion  and  the  conclusions  based 
thereon : 

1.  That  some  general  law  is  necessary,  regulating  the  training  of  candidates  for 
the  ministry. 

2.  That  such  a  law  must  necessarily  specify  what  should  be  required  to  constitute 
"a  competency  of  human  learning,"  as  called  for  in  Form  of  Government,  Chap. 
IV.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  II. 

3.  That  cdl  cases  not  conformable  to  this  general  law  should  be  provided  for  as 
exceptional  or  extraordinary. 

4.  That,  possibly  with  some  slight  amendment,  the  present  law  meets  these  re- 
quirements. 

Accepting  these  principles,  we  have  reached  the  conclusions  which  are  now  sub- 
mitted for  your  consideration,  viz.  : 

I.  That  the  constitution  of  the  Church  should  not  be  changed  in  the  manner  pro- 
posed. 

II.  That  to  the  parts  of  trial  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.,  Art.  IV.) 
might  properly  be  added :  "  5,  An  analysis  of  one  book  of  the  Old  Testament  and 
one  book  of  the  New  Testament,  each,'  according  to  the  authorized  English  ver- 
sion. " 

The  considerations  which  have  led  us  to  the  conclusions  thus  submitted  are,  in 
detail,  siich  as  these : 

I.  Against  the  proposed  change  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  we  report : 

1.  That  so  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  the  sentiment  of  the  Church  at 
large  does  not  demand  it. 

We  refer  to  this,  because  one  duty  with  which  the  committee  was  charged  is  to 
receive,  consider  and  report  to  the  General  Assembly  the  views  which  might  be  com- 
municated under  resolution  2,  already  cited. 

The  communications  made  directly  to  the  committee  are  not  numerous.  Among 
those  ' '  requested, "  we  have  responses  from  the  professors  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
naries, and  from  two  of  the  secretaries  of  the  executive  committees  of  the  General 
Assembly ;  all  of  which,  except  one  of  the  two  last  named,  oppose  the  change  which 
is  under  consideration.  Of  such  as  were  ' '  invited  "  by  the  same  resolution,  very  few 
have  been  addressed  to  the  committee,  and  these  are  about  equally  divided  in  opin- 
ion. The  Presbyteries  were  not  formally  called  upon  to  take  action.  But,  apart 
from  their  inherent  rights,  the  expression  of  their  views  would  fairly  be  included 
under  the  invitation  to  "the  whole  Church."  Several  Presbyteries  have  taken 
such  action;  all,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  in  opposition  to  change.  The  action  of 
but  one  (that  of  St.  Louis)  has  been  ofacially  communicated  to  the  committee.  AU 
of  the  communications  referred  to  above  are  forwarded  herewith.  They  have  been 
of  great  value  to  us  in  the  examination  of  the  questions  referred  to  your  committee ; 
but  these  do  not,  by  any  means,  fairly  represent  the  extent  of  the  interest  awak- 
ened, or  of  the  discimion  elicited  by  the  proposed  changes  in  the  training  of  our 
candidates  for  the  ministry.  In  the  several  journals  of  the  Church  there  have  been 
many  earnest  and  able  discussions.  A  very  Avide  divergence  of  views  is  thereby  dis- 
closed. A  strong  and  widespread  conviction  is  clearly  indicated  that  an  increased 
supply  of  ministers  is  demanded ;  and  that,  if  possible,  something  should  be  done 


Sec.  415.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  255 

to  seciire  it.  Mauy  have  urged  that,  if  the  measures  indicated  in  the  raemorial  were 
adopted,  this  result — which  all  desire — would  be  attained.  But  the  opposition  to 
this  view  is,  at  least,  quite  as  earnest  and  extensive ;  in  support  of  which  it  is  urj^ed 
that  we  need,  as  a  church,  not  new  measures,  but  new  hfe — a  true  and  spiritual 
awakening  and  consecration,  together  with  a  wiser  and  more  faithful  application  of 
the  law  as  it  stands. 

Exactly  how  the  Church  is  divided  between  these  opposing  views,  it  is  impossible 
for  las  to  determine.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  change  proposed  is  not  de- 
manded by  the  general  sentiments  and  convictions  of  the  Church. 

2.  The  changes  under  consideration  practically  involve  a  reversal  of  the  princi- 
ples and  policy  of  our  Church  relative  to  the  education  of  our  ministers.  If  they 
should  be  adopted,  the  result  must  be  that  the  present  "extraordinary"  course  at 
once  becomes  the  ordinary  course  ;  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  present  ordinary 
course  will  become  "  extraordinary, "  whether  the  candidates  be  few  or  manj'.  No- 
thing can  be  clearer  than  that  the  lowest  fixed  standard  of  preparation  at  which  any 
may  enter  the  ministry  is  that  at  which  all  who  so  desire  must  be  admitted.  Any 
higher  attainments  miist  be  vohintary.  In  our  judgment  Dr.  Dabney's  argument 
on  this  point  is  conclusive.  The  question  to  be  decided  is.  Shall  we  require  the 
higher  qualifications  and,  in  exceptional  cases,  as  now,  permit  the  lower;  or,  by 
adopting  the  changes  proposed,  require  the  lower  and  permit  the  higher  attain- 
ments ? 

Such  a  complete  reversal  of  the  policy  of  the  Church  should  be  effected,  if  at  all, 
only  iipon  the  demand  of  the  Church  generally,  giving  clear  proof  that  the  mind  of 
the  Church  h;is  imdergoue  such  a  radical  change  as  to  require  a  readjustment  of 
methods.  We  do  not  find  any  sufficient  evidence  that  such  a  revolution  has  occurred 
within  our  Church.  Nor  do  we  discover  any  valid  reason  why  it  should  take  place, 
and  why  the  standard  of  education  for  our  ministers  generally  should  be  corres- 
pondingly lowered.  Especially  are  we  constrained  to  maintain  this  position  in  view 
of  these  two  facts : 

(a)  That,  without  any  exception  known  to  us,  other  Christian  denominations  are 
elevating  their  standards  of  education. 

(J))  That  upon  any  ground  which  demands  or  justifies  any  educational  qiialifica- 
tions  for  the  ministry,  we  need  ministers,  not  less,  but  more  thoroughly  trained,  in 
order  to  face  the  educated  infidelity  and  satisfy  the  intellectual  demands  of  the 
age. 

3.  The  scheme,  as  given  in  detail  in  the  memorial,  is  necessarily  arbitrary  in  fix- 
ing the  ages  by  which  the  several  classes  of  candidates  shall  be  divided ;  it  is  com- 
plicated and  cumbrous  in  its  provisions,  and  it  is,  on  these  gi'ounds,  impracticable 
as  a  whole. 

4.  The  proposed  change  of  the  constitution  is  not  necessary,  even  to  effect  the 
object  contemplated,  i.  e.,  to  open  the  way  to  the  ministry  for  men  otherwise  qual- 

fied,  who  have  not  pursued  the  ordinary  course  of  study  preparatory  thereto ;  inas- 
much as  this  is  a  point  which,  so  far  as  it  is  an  open  question,  is  left  to  the  discre- 
tion and  decision  of  "the  Presbytery." 

For  proof  of  this  position  we  rely  upon  and  refer  to  the  statements  of  our  Form 
of  Government.  (See  Chap.  IV.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  II.  ;  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  VI., 
lines  3,  4;  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  V.,  Art.  III.,  and  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.,  Arts.  I.,  III.,  IV., 
v.,  VI.)     It  is  not  necessary  to  quote  these. 

Upon  a  careful  examination  of  the  law,  as  thus  cited  it  seems  to  us  clear : 

(«)  That,  under  the  provision  for  Licensure  (Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.),  Art.  I.  deter- 
mines the  end  which  "the  Presbyteries"  must  always  have  in  view  when  Ucens- 
ing  ' '  probationers  to  preach  the  gospel, "  viz. :  that  ' '  they  may  in  due  time  ordain 
them  to  the  sacred  office."  It  is  equallj'^  clear  that  the  Presbytery  must  proceed  to 
that  end,  ' '  after  sufficiently  trying  their  gifts  and  receiving  from  the  Church  a  good 
report. " 

In  Art.  III.  it  is  recommended  ' '  that  the  candidate  be  also  reqiiired  to  produce  a 
diploma,"  etc. 

The  ordinary  trials  for  licensure  are  specified  in  detail  in  Art.  IV. 

Relative  to  all  of  these.  Art.  V.  declares  that  ' '  these,  or  other  similar  exercises,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  Presbytery,  shall  be  exhibited,  until  it  shall  have  obtained 
satisfaction  as  to  the  candidate's  'piety,'  learning,  and  aptness  to  teach  in  the 
Church. " 

fl|In  regard  to  the  ordinary  course,  this  language  gives  the  Presbytery  ' '  discretion  " 
as  to  "these  or  other  similar  exercises" — i.  e.,  as  to  those  prescribed  in  Art.  IV.,  or 
others  similar  to  them — "  until  it  shall  have  obtained  satisfaction, "  etc.  By  fair 
construction,  here  is  authority  both  for  additional  and  for  equivalent  exercises  of  a 


256  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

similar  character.  If  so,  what  ueed  is  there  for  any  further  jirovisiou  for  alterna- 
tive or  equivalent  courses  of  study  ?  There  is  none,  unless  it  is  decided  to  provide 
definitely  for  a  lower  standard  for  ordinary  use. 

Art.  VI.  shows  next  that  this  discretionary  authority  of  the  Presbytery  extends 
still  further  in  "extraordinary  cases  ''  It  obviously  recognizes  the  fact  that  there 
are  such  cases,  "excepts"  them  from  the  operation  of  the  ordinary  rule  previously 
laid  dowTi,  and  provides  that  ' '  whenever  any  Presbytery  shall  see  reason  to  depart 
from  this  rule,  it  shall  always  make  a  record  of  the  fact  iipon  its  miniites,  with  the 
reasons  therefor."  Presbytery  is  to  decide  as  to  the  validity  of  the  "reasons  ;"  to 
determine  the  questions  whether,  in  fact,  any  given  case  is  "extraordinary,"  and 
to  make  record  of  "the  fact"  and  "  the  reasons"  as  subject  to  review  and  control, 
and  in  order  to  prevent  or  correct  any  abiise  of  its  discretion. 

But  (b)  if  licensure,  as  shown  from  Art.  I. ,  is  always  and  exclusively  granted  in  order 
to  ordination,  then  all  of  the  above  provisions — the  ' '  extraordinary  "  as  well  as  the 
ordinary — must  control  the  Presbytery  in  regard  to  ordination,  as  in  licensure. 
Our  view  on  this  point  is  sustained  by  reference  to  such  authorities  as  these :  Dr.  J. 
Aspiuwall  Hodge,  in  his  recent  work,  "What  is  Presbyterian  Law?"  commenting 
on  Art.  I.,  says  :  "Licensure  is  therefore  a  part  of  their  trial  for  the  ministry." 
(See  p.  302,  also  p.  196,  etc.)  We  refer,  also,  to  the  decisions  recorded  in  Baird's 
Digest,  Yip.  80,  82,  8-4.  If  we  understand  the  law  and  the  decisions  under  it  aright, 
licensure  or  ordination  are  not  to  be  regarded  as  independent,  biit  as  closely  re- 
lated ;  althoiigh  licensure  does  not  necessitate  ordination  (since  license  may  be  re- 
voked), yet  that  which  is  done  in  order  to  licensure  is  done  in  order  to  ordination ; 
and  that  which  is  lawful  for  the  former  is  lawful  for  the  latter. 

We  see  no  escape  from  this  conclusion  except  in  some  one  of  these  three  supposi- 
tions : 

(a)  That  licensure  is,  2)er  se,  the  end  to  be  reached.  But  this  woTild  directly 
transgress  the  law,  as  already  quoted,  both  in  the  letter  and  in  the  spirit.  Dr. 
Hodge  (p.  323)  cites  from  the  "Presbyterian  Digest,"  p.  401,  a  decision  against 
"licensure  as  a  means  to  attaining  a  higher  measure  of  usefulness  merely,  without 
aiming  to  reach  ordination,  as  this  would  be  virtually  to  make  two  gi'ades  of  preach- 
ing officers. "  • 

(i)  That  in  every  "extraordinary  case"  the  probationer  must  be  required,  after 
licensure,  to  prosecute  the  regiilar  course  of  study,  and  prepare  for  the  ordinary  ex- 
aminations for  ordination.  This  amounts  merely  to  an  inversion  of  the  natural  and 
reasonable  course  of  procedure,  since  it  involves  the  licensure  of  the  candidate  be- 
fore, rather  than  after,  the  course  of  study  preparatory  thereto.  This  would  cer- 
tainly make  the  case  an  "extraordinary"  one.  The  reasons  which  would  be  urged 
to  justify  this  premature  licensure  are  just  those  which  would  expose  it  to  the 
force  of  the  principle  pointed  out  in  (d)  above.  We  have  failed  to  find  any  war- 
rant for  this  theory  in  the  recorded  practice  of  the  Chiirch. 

(c)  That  in  any  "extraordinary  case"  the  Presbj'tery  may  have  exercised  its 
constitiitional  powers,  and  licensed  the  probationer  for  tJie  only  lawful  end,  viz. :  to 
"ordain  him  to  the  sacred  office";  yet,  when  called  actually  to  ordain  him,  it  must 
repudiate  all  its  previous  action  in  his  case,  and  must  eit/ier  require  of  him  those 
very  ''trials"  from  which  it  had  found  reason  to  exempt  him,  or  refuse  to  ordaiu 
him,  and  revoke  his  license  to  preach. 

Unless  we  are  entirely  mistaken,  neither  the  doctrine  nor  the  jiractice  of  the 
Church  in  the  past  has  been  in  accord.auce  with  either  of  these  suppositious.  We 
do  not  believe  that  either  of  them  will  receive  the  sanction  of  your  venerable  body. 
But  if  the  General  Assembly  shoiild  decide  that  we  are  in  error  as  to  the  interpreta- 
tion of  the  constitution  on  this  point,  and  that  some  amendment  of  it  is  necessary, 
then  we  would  very  respectfully  suggest  that  no  more  can  be,  on  any  ground,  re- 
quired than  to  add  (say  to  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  V.,  Art.  III.,)  a 
declaration  that  the  provisions  of  lb. ,  Sec.  VI. ,  Arts.  V.  and  VI. ,  relating  to  Presby- 
terial  "discretion,"  and  to  "extraordinary  cases,"  apply  to  ordination  also. 

But,  while — in  order  to  meet  any  contingency — wein-esent  the  above  suggestion, 
we  are  firmly  persuaded  that  the  Presbyteries  already  possess  the  constitiitional 
powers  in  question,  both  for  licensure  and  for  ordination.  And  hence  we  are  un- 
able to  discover  any  necessity  for  the  changes  proposed  with  reference  either  to 
alternate  courses  of  study,  such  as  are  contemplated  in  the  memorial  (Res.  1,  from 
(a)  to  (e)  inclusive),  or  to  the  entirely  exceptional  and  extraordinary  cases;  unless, 
indeed,  it  were  intended  to  deprive  the  Presbyteries  of  their  constitutional  discre- 
tion, and  leave  the  whole  matter  "optional  with  the  student,"  which,  we  believe,  is 
not  intended  or  desired  by  any,  but  which  would  be  the  practical  effect  of  the 
scheme  proposed. 


Sec.  415.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuhch.  257 

5.  The  memorial  further  calls  for  unnecessary  change,  in  its  provision  for  ' '  an 
English  divinity  course,"  because — 

{<i)  When  the  study  of  the  languages  is,  by  the  authority  of  the  Presbyterj', 
eliminated  from  the  coarse  to  be  jiursued  in  anj'  given  case,  nothing  remains  but 
"an  English  divinity  course." 

{b)  In  our  Theological  Seminaries,  as  now  conducted,  the  study  of  the  English 
Scrii^tures-  the  basis  of  such  a  course— is  carried  on  more  systematically,  thor- 
oughly, and  constantly  than  ever  before. 

((•)  Any  further  adjustment  with  reference  to  a  special  English  course  must  be 
made  by  the  proper  authorities  of  the  Theological  Seminaries;  or,  in  the  cases  of 
those  studying  elsewhere,  by  their  Presbyteries. 

6.  Since  the  business  of  the  minister  is  to  "preach  the  Word,"  it  would  seem  that 
the  ordinary  course  of  training  appt)inted  for  him  should  be  exactly  that  which  is 
based  most  directly  upon  the  study  of  that  Word  in  its  original  and  inspired  form. 

The  exceptions,  as  in  "extraordinary  cases."  should  be  ?■<>  this  rule,  and  not  the 
reverse,  as  would  be  the  case  if  the  changes  proposed  were  adopted,  and  should 
produce  their  legitimate  effects. 

7.  The  plea  in  favor  of  change  is  based  upon  the  asmmption  that  there  are  many 
men  qualitied  for  the  ministry  who  are  only  awaiting  the  opening  of  this  door  for 
them,  in  order  to  enter  and  devote  themselves  to  the  work.  We  have  not  been  able 
to  discover  the  evidence  that  this  is  a  fact. 

Probably  there  are  cases  of  this  character;  but  we  do  not  believe  that  they  are 
numerous  enough  to  be  treated  otherwise  than  as  exceptional  or  extraordinarj'. 

II.  Iiifinor  of  the  one  change  which  we  suggest, viz. :  to  add  io pjarts  of  trial  (Form 
of  Governnieut,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  VI.,  Art  IV.),  "5.  An  analysis  of  one  book  of  the 
Old  Testament,  and  one  book  of  the  New  Testament,  each,  according  to  the  aw- 
thorized  English  version"—  we  submit,  briefly,  these  reasons: 

1.  It  wiU  give  to  the  systematic  study  of  the  English  Scriptiires  that  i:)lace  in 
the  preparation  for  "  j)reaching  the  Word  "  to  which  its  importance  entitles  it. 

2.  It  will  insure  that  such  study  of  the  Word  of  God  in  the  authorized  version 
will  always  be  ret<(ined  ui  the  position  to  which,  by  solemn  judgment  of  the  Church, 
it  will  thus  have  been  exalted. 

3.  It  will  afford  wider  scope  for  the  regular  judicious  exercise  of  Presbyterial 
discretion  in  those  cases  in  which  valid  reasons  may  exist  for  exemption  from  any 
of  the  parts  of  trial  as  now  prescribed. 

4.  It  appears  to  us  better  to  add  this  as  a  fifth  part  of  trial  than  to  ^^ substitute  " 
it  for  "the  Latin  exegesis,"  because — 

{a)  The  result  intended  will  thereby  be  quite  as  effectually  secured ;  and, 
{h)  We  shall  thus  avoid  the  appearance  of  intimating  that  the  thorough  studj' 
of  the  Latin  language  is  no  longer  regarded  by  our  Church  as  of  any  special 
value. 

In  conclusion,  if  the  General  Assemjjly  should  deem  it  wise  to  look  further  into 
the  matter  which,  if  we  conectly  apprehend  the  state  of  the  case,  has  most  moved 
the  memorialist  and  those  who  agree  with  him,  viz.  :  the  urgent  demand  for  an  in- 
creeised  suppli/  of  ministers  (f  the  gospel,  we  would  venture,  most  respectfully,  to 
suggest  that  the  records  of  the  Church  show : 

1.  That  similar  necessities  have  been  felt  and  iirged  in  the  past. 

2.  That,  upon  the  same  plea,  efforts  have  been  made  to  secure  some  relaxation 
of  the  general  reqiiirements  as  to  the  preparation  for  the  ministry. 

3.  That  such  proposals  have  been  imiformly  declined. 

4.  That  other  measures  looking  to  the  same  end  were  adopted ;  and  that,  with 
the  blessing  of  God,  they  were  successful. 

For  examples,  we  refer  to  the  "Assembly's  Digest"  (Baird),  pp.  80  to  82,  and 
397  to  399. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  James  H.  Naix, 

Heney  M.  SanTH, 
•  William  E.  Boggs, 

W.  A.  Claek, 
W.  G.  Vaedell. 
Two  members  of  the  committee,  Kev.  Dr.  Lane  and  lluliug  Eder  W.  W.  Lump- 
kin, not  concurring  in  this  report,  have  prepared  a  "minority  report, "  which  is 
herewith  transmitted.  J.  H.  Nall. 

Minority  Report. 
Without  discussing  in  detail  the  paper  referred  to  the  committee,  (though  favor- 
ing, in  the  main,  the  changes  suggested  therein),  and  without  reviewing  in  detail 

I? 


258  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

the  majority  report,  the  minority  respectfullj'  recommeud  to  the  General  Assembly 
to  send  down  the  following  or  a  similar  overture  to  the  Presbyteries,  viz. : 

1.  Does  the  exception  ' '  extraordinary  cases, "  found  in  our  Book  of  Church  Or- 
der, in  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.,  relating  to  licensure,  also  belong  to  Sec.  V.,  relating  to 
ordinaUoii? 

2.  If  not,  shall  the  constitution  be  altered  by  inserting  ' '  except  in  extraordinary 
cases"  in  Sec.  V.,  or  by  adding  a  isaragraph  defining  in  what  cases  Latin,  Greek, 
Hebrew,  and  the  higher  secular  education  generally,  may  be  dispensed  with  as  pre- 
requisites for  ordination,  as  well  as  licensure  ? 

Many  who  favor  the  practical  Avorking  oi^t  of  the  main  principles  of  the  paper 
referred  to  the  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  to  do  this  requires  no  alteration  in 
the  Book;  that  it  can  be  done  under  the  j^rovision  for  "extraordinary  cases." 

A  careful  examiuatiou  of  the  section  in  the  Book  on  Ordination  leads  the  minor- 
ity to  the  conclusion  that  in  all  cases,  iiuthoiit  ani/  exception  whatever,  the  Book  re- 
quires Greek,  Hebrew  and  Philosophy,  as  well  as  Divinitj',  as  conditions  precedent, 
not  to  licensure,  but  to  ordination.  The  design  of  our  venerable  fathers  in  the  sec- 
tion on  Ordination  apjjears  to  be  to  present  a  minimum  of  requirements  for  ordina- 
tion, whether  the  licensure  had  been  an  ordinary  or  an  extraordinary  case.  Hence 
in  the  ordination  section  they  left  out  three  important  things  found  in  the  licensure 
section,  viz.:  (1.)  The  exception  of  extraordinary  cases.  (2,)  The  entire  Latin  lan- 
guage. (3,)  The  entire  course  of  mathematics.  Besides,  it  is  doubtful  how  many 
or  how  few  departments  of  secular  knowledge  they  intended  to  include  under  the 
variously  used  word  "Philosophy."  They  seem  to  have  expected  all  licentiates, 
whether  in  ordinary  or  extraordinary  cases,  to  master  ' '  Greek,  Hebrew  and  Philos- 
ophy "  between  licensure  and  ordination,  if  they  had  not  previously  mastered  these 
studies  If  these  views  are  correct,  no  man  can  be  ordained  in  our  Church,  lack- 
ing a  knowledge  of  "Greek,  Hebrew  and  Philosoph}', "  without  a  violation  of  the 
constitution. 

The  views  of  only  a  small  fraction  of  the  Church  upon  the  vital  subject  referred 
to  your  committee  have  thus  far  been  ascertained.  The  number  of  those  who  have 
expressed  themselves  in  favor  of  practical  changes  is  sufficiently  large  to  call  for  a 
fuller  and  more  general  consideration  of  the  subject  At  present  the  Church  is  not 
ready,  either  to  lay  aside  the  subject  as  settled,  or  to  make  the  changes  desired  by 
many. 

That  the  whole  matter  may  be  considered  by  the  entire  Church,  and  wise  action 
taken  thereon,  the  minority,  assured  that  the  majority, '.equally  with  themselves,  de- 
sire to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Piedeemer's  kingdom,  feel  constrained  to  recom- 
mend to  the  venerable  Assembly  the  sending  down  of  the  overtvn-e  as  above  indi- 
cated to  the  Presbyteries.       Respectfully  submitted,  C   W.  Lame, 

W.  W.  Lumpkin. 

1880,  p.  192.  The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries  have  been 
charged  by  the  General  Assembly  with  the  duty  of  considering  the  fol- 
lowing overtiu'e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Tuskaloosa : 

Asking  the  Assembly  to  consider  the  propriety  and  practicability 
of  so  arranging  the  coiu'se  of  study  of  our  candidates  for  the  ministry, 
that  our  theological  students  may  be  required  to  spend  six  months  of 
each  year,  or  a  period  approximating  that,  in  active  service  in  the  va- 
cant churches  or  in  destitute  neighborhoods.  We  are  aware  that  the 
subject  has  ah-eady  been  before  the  Assembly,  but  in  view  of  the  fact, 
first,  that  it  has  never  been  very  fully  discussed ;  and  second,  that  there 
is  an  extensive  desire  in  the  Chui'ch  for  some  such  variation  from  our 
present  method  of  training  owe  ministers,  we  ask  for  a  renewed  consid- 
eration of  it.  The  complaint  is  frequently  urged  that  our  young  men, 
on  being  licensed  to  preach,  are,  fi'om  their  long  confinement  and 
strictly  scholastic  pursuits,  and  their  comparative  privation  of  contact 
with  the  people,  often,  if  not  generally,  deficient  in  that  practical 
knowledge  and  tact  which  are  necessary  to  give  them  free  access  to  the 
people,  and  facility  in  the  active  work  of  the  ministry.  It  is  beheved 
that,  if  they  could  spend  half,  or  nearly  half,  of  the  last  two  years  of 
their  preparatory  course  in  supplying  vacant  churches  and  other  desti- 


Sec.  415.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  259 

tute  fields  with  such  instructions  and  other  rehgious  exercises  as  they 
could  conduct,  they  would  acquire  much  practical  knowledge  of  the 
work  before  them,  and  that  their  studies  at  the  Seminaiy  would  be 
rendered  more  profitable  to  them. 

Another  benefit,  not  whoUy  incidental  to  such  a  plan,  would  be  the 
supplying  with  gospel  privileges  of  large  numbers  of  people  whom  we 
are  at  present  imable  to  furnish  with, a  regularly  hcensed  miuistiy. 

It  is  believed,  also,  that  this  work  could  be  so  guided  and  controlled 
as  to  avoid  the  evils  which  pertain  to  an  unordained  ministry.  The 
experiment  has  often  been  made  on  a  small  scale,  and  we  beheve  with 
acce})tance  and  profit,  and  without  giving  rise  to  complaint  or  alleged 
abuse. 

But  the  Presbytery  do  not  assume  to  argue  the  question.  AVe  sim- 
ply state  a  view  cjuite  prevalent,  and  we  thinlc  growing  in  our  Chui'ch, 
and  we  trust  the  subject  will  not  be  summarily  dismissed. 

Anstcer:  With  respect  to  the  subjects  presented  in  the  foregoing 
overture,  it  is  recommended  that  the  General  Assembl}^  dechne  to  ex- 
press any  opinion.  The  first,  namely,  the  terms  of  study  in  our  Theo- 
logical Seminaries,  it  would  seem  most  judicious  to  leave  to  the  expe- 
rience and  sound  discretion  of  the  directors  of  those  institutions.  The 
second,  namely,  the  employment  of  students  of  theology  during  their 
vacations  "m  supplpng  vacant  churches,"  properly  belongs  to  the 
Pi'esbyteries. 

1883,  p.  44.  An  overiui'e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Tuskaloosa,  pray- 
ing the  Assembly  "  to  consider  again  the  propriety  of  so  arranging  the 
theological  training  of  our  candidates  for  the  ministiy  that  one-half 
the  time  shall  be  spent  in  active  labor,  esjDecially  in  vacant  churches 
and  destitute  regions,  under  Presbyterial  direction." 

Answer :  Jiesolved,  That  the  faculties  of  the  Union  and  Columbia 
Theological  Seminaries  be  constituted  a  committee,  of  which  the  Eev. 
B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  shall  be  chairman,  to  consider  the  expediency  and 
practicability  of  the  proposed  arrangement,  and  if  they  deem  the  same 
expedient  and  j)racticable,  that  they  suggest  in  detail  the  methods  by 
which  it  can  be  carried  into  effect,  and  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

1884,  p.  232.  The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries  would  fur- 
ther respectfully  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  concerning  the  re- 
ports referred  to  them  from  the  committee  consisting  of  the  professors 
in  Union  and  Columbia  Theological  Seminaries,  concerning  the  pro- 
priety of  a  change  in  the  coui'se  of  studies  in  training  candidates  for 
the  ministry : 

That  two  rejjorts  were  presented,  one  signed  hj  the  professors  of  the 
Columbia  Seminar}^  in  wliich  the  ground  is  taken  that  nothing  can  be 
done  without  a  change  in  the  organic  law. 

Another — a  minority  report — signed  by  Pev.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  re- 
commending, (1,)  More  care  be  taken  by  the  Presb>i:eries  in  the  ex- 
amination of  candidates  seeking  the  gospel  ministry ;  and  (2,)  That 
Presbyteries  should  provide  work  for  theii"  candidates  under  certain 
restrictions. 

In  riew  of  this  conflict  of  opinion  among  these  learned  professors, 
and  also  in  view  of  the  dangers  arising  from  frequent  change  in  the 
estabhshed  customs  of  the  Chiu'ch,  your  committee  would  suggest  that 
it  is  advisable  for  the  Assembly  not  to  recommend  any  change  at  this 
time.     Adopted. 


260  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1884,  p.  242.  Eev.  D.  C.  Irwin  overtm-es  the  Assembly,  asking  that 
the  whole  subject  of  the  training  and  qualifications  of  the  candidates 
for  the  ministry  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  five  experienced  pastors 
and  elders,  to  examine  and  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  on  the 
following  points : 

1.  What  literary  qualifications  do  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  reason 
of  the  work,  authorize  the  Church  to  exact  of  her  candidates  as  a  con- 
dition of  hcensiu'e  and  ordination '? 

2.  "What,  if  any,  change  in  the  law  of  our  Church  ought  to  be  made 
to  give  greater  flexibility  to  our  system,  without  essentially  lowering 
the  standard  of  quaUfication  for  preaching  the  gospel  ? 

3.  Is  it  desirable  to  requu-e  a  definite  period  of  probationary  work 
and  trial,  under  the  supervision  of  Presbytery,  after  licensure  and  pre- 
vious to  ordination,  to  test  the  qualifications  of  the  probationer  for,  and 
his  adaptation  to,  the  work  ? 

Ansuier :  Your  committee  recommend  that  this  request  be  not 
granted.     Adopted  by  a  vote  of  60  to  41. 

1884,  p.  244.  The  Presbytery  of  Chesapeake  overtures  the  General 
Assembly  to  take  the  necessary  constitutional  steps  for  adding  the  fol- 
lowing amendment  at  the  close  of  Chap.  VI.,  Form  of  Government: 
"Provided,  however,  that  Presbyteries  shall  have  liberty,  at  their  dis- 
cretion, to  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  godly  and  expe- 
rienced men,  well  versed  in  the  English  Bible  and  in  the  standards  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  apt  to  teach,  and  evi- 
dently called  to  the  ministry  of  the  Lord  through  his  Spirit  and  provi- 
dence." 

Thirty-nine  ministers  and  ruling  elders  of  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch, 
from  twelve  States,  overture  the  General  Assembly  to  "recommend"  to 
the  Presbyteries  for  their  "  advice  and  consent,"  the  following  amend- 
ments to  the  Form  of  Government,  viz. : 

1.  Strike  out  from  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.,  all  beginning  with  "  And  it  is 
recommended,"  etc..  Art.  III.  down  to  Art.  VII.,  and  insert  the  following 
as  Art.  IV.,  viz. :  "The  Presbytery  shall  try  each  candidate  for  licensure 
as  to  his  knowledge  of  the  usual  branches  of  a  good  English  education 
and  the  English  Bible,  his  soundness  in  doctrine,  and  his  fitness  to 
teach,  exhort,  and  preach  the  Word  as  a  probationer  for  the  gosj)el 
ministry." 

2.  Amend  Art.  VIII.,  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI.,  beginning  at  "At,"  etc.,  so  as 
to  read  as  follows :  "  At ,  the day  of -,  the  Presbytery  hav- 
ing received  testimonials  in  favor  of ,  of  his  good  moral  character, 

and  being  in  the  commimion  of  the  Church ;  and  being  satisfied  of  his 
fitness  as  a, 2yrohationer  for  the  gospel  ministry,  and  he  having  adopted," 
etc.,  so  on  to  the  end  of  this  paragraph.  This  paragraph  to  be  num- 
bered Art.  v..  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  VI. 

3.  Add  a  new  Article  after  present  Art.  VIII.,  to  be  numbered  as 
Art.  VI„  to  read  as  follows :  "  The  Presbytery  having  hcensed  the  candi- 
date as  a  probationer  for  the  gospel  ministiy,  shall,  with  a  view  to  his 
ordination,  assign  to  him  such  studies  in  theology,  sacraments.  Church 
history  and  government,  and  the  English  Bible  and  exegesis,  as  it  may 
deem  best,  and  recommend  as  advisable,  when  it  judges  it  to  be  loise,  a 
regular  course  of  learning.  And  concurrently  and  consistently  with 
these  studies,  it  shall  appoint  for  the  probationer  such  work  in  the  way 


Sec.  415.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  261 

of  exhortation  and  preacliing  as  wiR  tend  to  prove  and  develop  his  gift 
for  preaching  the  Word  to  edification." 

4.  Strike  out  from  Chap.  YI.,  Sec.  VI.,  Ai-ts.  IX.,  and  XI.,  and  amend 
Art.  X.  as  Art.  VII.,  to  read  as  follows:  "  When  any  probationer  shall,  by 
the  permission  of  his  Presbvter^-,  remove,"  etc.,  and  so  on  to  the  end. 

5.  Number  Art.  XII.  as  Art.  VIII. 

Amend  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  V.,  Art.  III.,  to  read  as  foUows :  "  Trials  for  or- 
dination shall  consist  of  a  careful  examination  of  the  candidate's  ac- 
quaintance with  experimental  religion,  and  his  knowledge  of  theology, 
ecclesiastical  history,  the  doctrines  of  the  sacraments,  and  the  princi- 
ples and  rules  of  the  government  and  discijjliue  of  the  Church,  and  the 
English  Bible.  And  to  further  prove  his  soundness  of  doctrine,  apt- 
ness to  teach,  and  ability  to  preach  the  Word,  the  Presb}-tei7  shall  re- 
quire of  liim,  (1,)  A  cx'itical  exercise,  in  which  the  candidate  shall  give 
a  specimen  of  his  taste  and  judgment  in  sacred  criticism,  presenting  an 
explanation  of  the  text,  stating  its  connection,  illvistratiug  its  force  and 
beauty,  removing  its  difficulties,  and  solving  any  important  questions  it 
may  present.  (2,)  A  lecture  or  exposition  of  several  verses  of  Scrip- 
tm'e.     (3,)  A  sermon."' 

Amend  Art.  IV.,  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  V.,  to  read  as  follows :  "The  Presby- 
tery being  fiiUy  satisfied  of  the  candidate's  qualifications  for  the  sacred 
office,  shall  apjioint  a  day  for  his  ordination,  which  ought,  if  practi- 
cable, to  be  in  that  church  of  which  he  is  to  be  the  pastor.  The  day 
appointed  for  the  ordination  having  come,"'  etc.,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of 
Art.  IV. 

Ansver:  The  General  Assembly  deems  it  imnecessaiy  and  inexpe- 
dient that  any  change  be  made  in  those  provisions  of  oiu'  constitution 
which  refer  to  the  hcensure  or  ordination  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

1885,  p.  414.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  reported  over- 
tiu'es  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Paris,  Chesapeake,  and  Palmyra  respec- 
tively, and  from  sundry  individuals,  ministers,  and  ruhng  elders,  ask- 
ing the  appointment  of  an  ad  interim  committee  to  consider  whether 
any  change  should  be  made  in  the  standards  of  ministerifd  quahfica- 
tions  and  methods  of  training.  The  committee  recommended  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following  answer,  viz.': 

Inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  of  1882,  in  compliance  with  a  re- 
cjuest  similar  to  the  one  contained  in  these  overtures,  did  appoint  an 
ad  interim  committee  to  consider  and  report  upon  this  whole  subject ; 
inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  of  1883,  after  an  able  and  full  re- 
port of  this  committee,  did  decide,  after  due  deliberation,  that  (see 
Minutes,  1883,  p.  21)  "  It  is  deemed  unnecessary  by  this  General  As- 
sembly to  make  any  change  in  our  standard  of  ministerial  education  or 
qualifications ;'"  and  inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  of  1884  chd,  in 
answer  to  overtm-es  from  sundry  Presbrteries  and  individuals,  answer 
again  in  its  wisdom  that  (^liuutes  of  Assembly,  1884,  p.  240)  "  The 
General  Assembh*  deems  it  unnecessary  and  inexpedient  that  any 
change  be  made  in  those  pro^^sions  of  our  constitution  which  refer  to 
the  licensure  or  ordination  of  candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry  ;'"  and 
inasmuch  as  the  judgment  of  this  coiu't  (coincides  with  that  of  the  two 
grave  and  venerable  bodies  preceding  it,  the  General  Assembly  de- 
chnes  to  appoint  such  committee,  or  to  take  any  other  step  which  looks 
to  the  opening  up  of  this  subject  for  future  discussion.  Adopted. 
(P.  419.) 


262  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

416.    The  English  Bible  in  the  Seminary. 

1881,  p.  370.  The  Presb}i;eiy  of  Bethel  respectfully  overtures  the 
General  Assembly : 

"  1st,  That  in  view  of  the  increasing  dangers  that  environ  the  cause 
of  truth,  the  Assembly  urge  upon  the  Presbyteries  the  necessity  of  a 
closer  examination  of  all  apjilicants  for  licensure  as  to  their  familiar 
and  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  Bible  itself. 

"  2nd,  That  the  Assembly  recommend  and  urge  upon  the  attention 
of  the  boards  of  directors  of  our  Theological  Seminaries  the  pressing 
demand  for  a  more  copious,  thorough  and  direct  study  of  the  book  they 
are  to  preach,  on  the  part  of  our  theological  students,  not  merely  in 
pi'ivate,  but  under  the  direction  and  lead  of  the  professor. 

"  3rd,  That  with  a  view  to  effect  this  result,  as  well  as  to  put  the  op- 
portimity  of  a  thorough  training  for  the  ministr}'  (subject  to  such  re- 
strictions and  limitations  as  the  Assembly  shall  deem  necessary)  within 
the  reach  of  that  numerous  class  of  active,  able  and  highly  competent 
young  men  who  have  never  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  classical  edu- 
cation ;  and  in  view,  fm-thermore,  of  the  speedy  re-organization  of  the 
Columbia  Seminary,  Bethel  Presbyters-  would  urgently  pray  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  lend  its  sanction  and  approval  to  the  plan  of  substi- 
tuting, in  that  institution,  for  the  exegetical  study  of  the  Scriptures  in 
the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek,  that  of  the  English  Bible,  old  and  new 
versions,  confronted  with  and  corrected  upon  the  original  in  all  cases 
of  real  or  supposed  error,  or  other  serious  difference  of  opinion. 

"  Bethel  Presbytery  would  not  be  understood  as  desmugor  sanctioning 
any  j^roposal  to  supersede  or  neglect  the  study  of  the  original  languages 
of  Scripture  on  the  part  of  such  as  are  qualitied  for  it;  but  only  to 
make  the  direct  study  of  the  Bible,  as  a  whole  (which  can  be  effected 
only  in  that  form  which  is  most  familiar,  to-wit :  its  English  dress),  the 
basis,  practically,  as  well  as  theoretically,  of  ovir  system  of  theological 
instruction,  at  least  so  far  as  regards  the  Seminary  about  to  be  re- 
organized. 

"  We  would  not  be  understood  as  desiring  the  appointment  of  a  spe- 
cial professorship  with  reference  to  the  piirpose  proposed ;  but  rather 
that  this  feature  be  engrafted  upon  our  system  of  theological  education, 
and  superadded  to  the  ordinary  studies  of  the  Seminary  coui'se,  with 
the  exception  indicated." 

After  a  careful  consideration  of  this  overtm'e,  the  committee  would 
recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  the  following  action,  viz. : 

1st,  That  the  Assembly  call  the  attention  of  the  directors  of  our  two 
Theological  Seminaries  to  section  2nd  of  said  overture,  expx'essing  their 
hearty  approval  of  any  practical  measure  which  will  secure  a  more 
careful  study  of  the  English  Bible  b}'  our  Seminary  students,  as  a  part 
of  their  theological  training. 

2nd,  That  the  matter  presented  in  section  3rd  of  said  overture  involves 
a  change  in  our  constitution  (see  Form  of  Government,  Chaj).  VI.,  Sec. 
VI.,  Art.  VI.),  and  such  change  must  be  made,  not  by  authority  of  the 
General  Assembly,  but  by  the  action  of  the  Presbytei'ies. 

1882,  p.  564.  An  overtiu-e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Fayette ville,  rela- 
tive to  the  "  establishment  in  our  Seminaries  of  a  course  of  exegetical 
study  of  the  Scri})tui-es  in  the  English  language." 

P.  565.  In  reply  to  the  overture  from  the  Presbyter}^  of  Fayetterille, 
it  is  recommended  that  the  Presbyter}-^  be  referred  to  the  action  of  the 


Sec.  417.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuech.  263 

General  Assembly  of  1881,  (see  Minutes,  pp.  370,  371,)  as  meeting  the 
case  presented;  that  the  attention  of  the  dii'ectors  of  the  Theological 
Seminaries  be  again  earnestly  and  respect fullj'  called  to  this  matter, 
and  that  they  be  requested  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  any 
results  which  may  be  reached.     Adopted. 

1883,  p.  85.  The  dii'ectors  of  Columbia  Seminaiy  repoi't  that  this 
direction  has  been  carried  out,  and  that  the  study  of  the  Enghsh  Bible 
constitutes  an  important  feature  in  the  depai'tments  of  Didactic  The- 
ology, Church  Histoiy  and  Sacred  Ehetoiic. 

P.  34.  The  trustees  of  Union  Theological  Seminaiy  ask  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Assembly  to  the  following  resolution  of  the  coi'poration, 
adopted  May  2nd,  1883 : 

Resolved,  That  the  trustees  of  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Vir- 
ginia, fully  concurring  with  the  General  Assembly  as  to  the  importance 
of  such  study  of  the  Bible  as  suggested  by  that  body,  yet,  in  ^iew  of 
the  onerous  duties  now  resting  on  the  professors  of  the  Seminary,  and 
the  insufficiency  of  our  existing  income  for  the  support  of  a  separate 
chair,  do  not  see  the  way  open  at  the  present  time  for  the  introduction 
of  any  measures  for  the  end  proposed  beyond  the  considerable  instruc- 
tion in  the  English  Bible  which  is  ah^eady  distinctively  imparted  in  this 
institution.  At  the  present  meeting  of  the  corporation,  however,  plans 
have  been  inaugurated  for  an  increase  of  income  from  further  endow- 
ment, which,  if  successful,  may  accomplish  the  wishes  indicated  by  the 
Assembly,  and  in  which  the  trustees  sympathize. 

P.  82.  In  response  to  a  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  Yu-ginia  (Minutes 
of  1882,  p.  1G8),  and  impressed  with  the  importance  of  initiating,  at  the 
present  meeting  of  the  trustees,  measiu'es  for  the  endowment  of  a 
fifth  professorship  in  this  Seminary,  to  be  known  as  the  chair  of 
English  Biblical  Study  and  Pastoral  Theology,  a  committee  (Rev.  Drs. 
C.  White,  Eumple,  Pdchardson,  Dabney,  and  Peck)  will  addi'ess  the 
Christian  public,  asking  contributions  (to  an  amount  not  less  than 
$50,000)  to  endow  this  chair. 

1881,  p.  278.  Rev.  S.  Taylor  Martin  has  been  placed  in  the  field  as 
agent,  with  a  view  of  raising  the  above  sura. 

1885,  p.  452.  Previous  to  the  first  of  April,  1885,  this  agent  secured 
subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  ^7,712.40,  of  which  the  sum  of  S5,100.05 
has  been  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  treasurer. 

417.  Extraordinary  recruit  for  the  ministry. 

1809,  p.  390.  Overture  from  Rev.  Dr.  Dabney,  that  the  Assembly 
direct  all  its  moral  and  spirituid  powers  in  an  appeal  to  the  Christian 
consciences  of  your  educated  members  among  hterary  and  jirofessional 
men,  for  an  extrat)rdiiiarv  recruit  to  our  ministry,  who,  by  receiving  li- 
censiu'e  as  soon  as  they  can  comply  with  the  constitutional  retjuire- 
ments  as  to  scholarship,  may  be  ready  to  meet  our  exigencies  earlier 
than  the  pious  youth  now  in  academies  and  colleges. 

Ans)oer :  This  Assembly  would  earnestly  appeal  to  the  Christian  con- 
sciences of  the  educated  members  of  the  Church  among  literaiy  and 
professional  men,  as  well  as  among  t)ur  young  men  who  are  now  con- 
sidering the  particular  profession  or  hfe-work  for  their  futiu-e  pursuit, 
to  seek,  in  solemn  and  earnest  humble  prayer  to  God,  the  answer  to  the 
question,  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  and  that  they  watch 


264  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

the  providences  of  God  as  they  open  before  them ;  and  that,  by  eveiy 
available  means,  they  strive  to  ascertain  God's  holy  will  in  reference  to 
this  great  matter,  without  allowing  themselves  either  presumptuously 
to  seek  this  holy  office  from  the  mere  possession  of  extei'nal  gifts,  how- 
ever great,  or  suffering  themselves  to  be  deterred  from  it  by  obstacles 
and  difficulties,  however  apparently  formidable. 

418.  Health  in  the  Seminaries. 

1883,  p.  44.  The  attention  of  directors  and  professors  in  our  Semi- 
naries is  called  to  the  great  importance  of  cultivating  the  physical  health 
of  the  students  in  these  institutions,  and  of  providing  such  means  of 
convenient  and  pleasant  bodily  exercise  as  shall  promote  that  robustness 
and  vigor  of  constitution  so  needful  to  the  highest  measures  of  success 
in  after  life. 

419.   Students  should  attend  our  own  Seminaries. 

1881,  p.  364.  Resoloed,  That  whilst  the  Assembly  does  not  discoui'- 
age  that  laudable  aspiration  which  seeks  the  best  culture,  not  only  within 
our  own  pale,  but  in  other  parts  of  Protestant  Christendom,  no  candi- 
date for  the  ministry  should  resort  to  such  exterior  sources  of  learning 
imtil  he  shall  have  been  grounded  in  that  of  his  own  denomination ; 
and  therefore  the  Presbyteries  are  hereby  exhorted  to  exert  all  their  le- 
gitimate power  to  cause  their  students  to  go  through  the  curriculum  of 
our  own.  Seminaries  before  studying  in  learned  institutions  without  our 
bounds. 

420.    What  control  the  Assembly  has  over  our  Theological  Seminaries. 

1886,  p.  15.  On  motion  of  ruhng  elder  W.  W.  Henry,  "The  Com- 
mittee on  Theological  Seminaries  is  directed  to  report  to  this  Assembly 
what  control,  if  any,  the  Assembly  has  over  the  boards  and  faculties  of 
oui'  Theological  Seminaries.  ' 

P.  43.     This  committee  reported  as  follows : 

Pirst,  In  reply  to  the  injunction  laid  upon  us  to  find  and  state  the  re- 
lation existing  between  this  General  Assembly  and  the  Theological 
Seminaries  organized  withm  the  pale  of  our  Church,  we  report : 

1.  That  this  Assembly  sustains  very  important  relations  to  all  such 
institutions;  yet  these  relations  differ  somewhat  according  to  the  con- 
stitution and  practice  of  each  institution  as  ratified  by  the  Assembly. 

2.  That  by  the  very  genius  of  Presbyterianism  the  Assembly  is  botmd 
to  maintain  a  supervisory  jurisdiction  over  these  and  all  other  like  cor- 
porations, and  also  over  all  schemes  for  religious  work,  so  far  as  they 
affect  the  practice  or  doctrine  of  the  Assembly's  constituencies,  and  es- 
pecially the  office-bearers  of  the  Church. 

3.  That  this  jurisdiction  must  in  every  case  enable  the  Assembly, 
through  the  proper  channels  of  authority,  to  keep  all  such  institutions 
free  from  everything  in(!onsistent  with  the  spirit  of  om*  system,  and,  of 
course,  free  from  all  teaching  inconsistent  with  the  Word  of  God  as  ex- 
pounded in  om*  standards.     Adoj)ted. 

1887,  p.  233.  Overtures  from  Presbyteries  of  Harmony  and  South 
Carolina,  respecting  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General  Assembly  over  all 
the  affairs,  institutions,  and  proceedings  of  the  lower  courts. 


Sec.  421.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  265 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  recommended  the  follomng 
reply : 

Touchino-  the  subject-matter  referred  to  in  these  overtures,  this  As- 
sembly declines  to  formidate  any  detailed  explanation  of  the  acts  of 
the  last  Assembly,  as  any  such  statement,  however  exjoressed,  could 
only  be  regarded  as  a  new  dehverance  on  the  same  subjects,  which  this 
Assembly  does  not  feel  called  upon  to  make. 

S.  L.  Morris  and  J.  W.  Greene,  members  of  the  committee,  ottered 
the  following-  minority  report  as  a  substitute  therefor: 

That  as  our  constitution  hmits  expressly  the  juiisdiction  of  each  and 
all  our  Chm'ch  courts  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  V.,  Sec.  II.,  Art.  IV.), 
the  General  Assembly  cannot  lawfully  exercise  supervisory  jurisdiction 
over  the  afiairs,  institutions,  or  proceedings  of  the  lower  coui'ts,  nor  over 
their  office-bearers,  except  as  these  matters  shall  come  before  the  highest 
court  in  some  one  of  the  foiu*  constitutional  modes  prescribed  in  our 
Rules  of  Disciphne,  viz. :  review,  reference,  appeal,  or  complaint  (see 
Rules  of  Discipline,  Chap.  XIII.,  Sec.  I.).  Therefore  the  action  of  the 
last  Assembly  is  declared  unconstitutional,  which  claimed  and  exercised 
supervisory  jurisdiction  to  the  extent  that  it  assumed  to  directly  charge 
an  office-bearer  under  the  control  of  the  four  Synods  with  holding  \dews 
repugnant  to  the  Word  of  God  and  our  Confession  of  Faith,  and  there- 
upon earnestly  recommended  that  he  be  dismissed  from  office. 

The  substitute  was  indefinitely  postponed,  and  the  report  was  adopted. 

421.  Evolution  in  the  Tfieological  Seminaries. 

1884,  p.  280.  From  the  report  of  the  dii'ectors  of  Columbia  Semi- 
nary : 

In  May,  1883,  the  board  requested  Professor  James  Woodrow  to 
pubhsh  in  the  October  (1883)  number  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Revieir,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  possible,  his  teachings  on  evolution, 
in  regard  to  the  world,  the  lower  animals,  and  man.  In  May,  1884,  he 
sent  a  communication,  stating  that  it  had  betai  impossible  for  him  to 
prepare  the  article  for  the  October  (1883)  number  of  the  lieview,  but 
that  he  would  deliver  an  address  to  the  Alumni  Association  on  that  sub- 
ject on  May  7th,  1884.  The  statement  was  accepted  as  satisfactory, 
and  he  was  again  requested  to  pubhsh  his  teacliings  on  that  subject  in 
the  Southern  Preshytei'iun  Review. 

P.  231.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  commends  the  action  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  Columbia  Theological  Seminary  in  requesting  the 
Perkins  ju-ofessor  of  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation  to  lay  be- 
fore the  Church,  for  its  information,  his  views  as  held  and  taught  in 
that  institution  touching  evolution  as  it  respects  the  earth,  the  lower 
animals,  and  man. 

1880,  pp.  41,  44.  Resolved,  That  whereas  the  General  Assembly  is 
convinced  that  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  professors  in 
Columbia  Theological  Seminary,  holds  views  repugnant  to  the  Word  of 
God  and  to  our  Confessit)n  of  Faith,  as  appears  both  by  his  address, 
published  in  the  Southern  Preshyterian  Rericw  for  Jul}^  1884,  and  in 
other  publications,  and  by  his  statements  made  upon  the  lioor  of  this 
Assembly,  therefore  this  Assembly  does  hereby,  in  accordance  AN-ith  its 
action  yesterday  in  regard  to  the  oversight  of  Theological  Seminiu'ies, 
earnestly  recommend  to  the  Synods  of  South  Carohna,  Georgia,  Ala- 


266  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

bama,  and  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida,  -which  direct  and  control  the 
said  Seminary,  to  dismiss  the  said  Eev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  as 
professor  in  the  said  Seminary,  and  to  appoint  another  in  his  place, 
and  speedily  to  take  such  other  steps  as  in  their  judgment  wiU  be  best 
adaj^ted  to  restore  this  Seminary  to  the  confidence  of  the  Church. 
Adopted^ — Ayes,  65 ;  nays,  27.  Several  who  voted  nay  put  an  expla- 
nation of  their  votes  on  record. 

422.   Tribute  to  Dr.  Plumer. 

1881,  p.  363.  "Whereas  it  pleased  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  to 
remove,  in  October,  1880,  from  the  scene  of  his  earthly  labors,  that  he 
might  be  with  him  where  he  is  and  behold  his  glory,  Eev.  W.  S. 
Plumer,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  professor  of  Pastoral  and  Casuistic  Theology  in 
Columbia  Seminary,  by  appointment  of  this  body — 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  does  now  record  its  testimony  to  the 
personal  worth,  eminent  piety,  imremitting  industry  and  zeal,  and  offi- 
cial fidelity  of  this  distinguished  servant  of  Christ.  Oui-  deceased 
brother  was  a  rare  gift  of  the  ascended  Redeemer  to  his  militant 
Church,  and  we  render  to  him  thanks  for  that  grace  which  qualified 
our  brother  for  his  varied  and  abundant  labors,  for  his  long  and  use- 
ful hfe,  and  for  the  testimony  of  his  hps,  life  and  death  to  the  truth, 
preciousness,  and  power  of  that  gospel  which  was  his  comfort,  joy,  and 
trust,  living  and  dying. 

423.   Tribute  to  Dr.  JToice. 

1883,  p.  34.  Hesolved,  That  this  Assembly  hereby  expresses  its  pro- 
found grief  at  the  death  of  the  Eev.  George  Howe,  D.  D.,  which  oc- 
curred on  the  15th  of  April,  1883,  and  records  its  high  appreciation  of 
the  eminent  services  which,  as  a  teacher  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Columbia  for  the  long  period  of  fifty-two  years,  as  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  as  a  Christian  man,  distinguished  hj  everything  which  is  "  lovely 
and  of  good  report,"  he  has  rendered  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world. 
For  the  rich  endowments,  both  of  nature  and  of  grace,  with  which  he 
was  gifted,  we  render  thanks  to  God,  and  while  lamenting  the  loss  of 
them,  would  gratefully  reflect  that,  though  withdrawn  from  the  field  of 
labor  himself,  his  works  stiU  follow  him,  and  that,  though  dead,  through 
the  lijis  of  hundreds  trained  by  him  for  the  Christian  ministr}^,  "  he 
yet  sj^eaketh." 

424.    Tribute  to  the  Hon.  Cyrus  II.  MciJormick. 

1884,  p.  211.  The  General  Assembly,  having  information  of  the 
death  of  the  Hon.  Cyrus  H.  McCormick,  of  Chicago,  Ilhnois,  deems  it 
eminently  suitable  to  make  record  of  an  event  which  marks  the  depart- 
ure to  his  everlasting  rest  of  a  Christian  man,  who,  through  a  long  hfe, 
has  consecrated  so  much  of  his  ample  wealth  to  the  welfare  of  his  fel- 
low-men. In  aU  these  benefactions  the  people  and  institutions  of  his 
native  South  were  largely  and  kindly  remembered. 


Secs.  425, 426.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  267 


CHAPTEIl    V. 

PUBLICATION. 

425.  An  executive  committee  apj)ointed  for  Publication. 

1861,  p.  39.  AMiei'eas  the  pi'ess  is  one  of  the  most  powerful  agencies 
characteristic  of  modern  times  for  influencing,  either  for  good  or  evil, 
the  minds  of  men ;  and  whereas  it  is  incixmbent  upon  the  Church,  in 
obedience  to  the  precept  of  our  Sa^dour  to  be  "  \vise  as  serpents,"  as 
"weU  as  "  harmless  as  doves,"  to  command  and  wield  the  most  efficient  in- 
strumentalities for  the  advancement  of  the  Eedeemer's  kingdom  in  the 
world;  therefore. 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch 
in  the  Ct)nfederate  States  of  America  will  engage  in  the  work  of  pub- 
hshing  and  circulating  religious  books  and  literature,  as  one  of  its 
evangelical  agencies,  under  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Assembly's 
Executive  Committee  of  Pubhcation." 

Jifsolved,  2,  That  the  executive  committee  (to  be  annually  appointed 
by  the  General  Assembly)  shall  consist  of  a  secretary^  to  be  styled  the 
"  Secretary  of  Publication,"  who  shall  also  be  editor ;  a  treasurer,  and 
nine  other  members  in  cc^mmunion  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  four 
of  whom  at  least  shall  be  ruling  elders,  deacons,  or  private  members; 
six  of  whom  shall  be  necessary  to  a  quorum,  competent  to  do  business. 

Resolved,  3,  That  no  book,  tract,  pamphlet,  paper,  or  other  publica- 
tion designed  for  general  and  permanent  circulation,  shall  be  pi-inted 
and  published  without  the  sanction  of  at  least  seven  members  of  the 
committee. 

Resolved,  4,  That  the  committee  be,  and  hereby  is  empowered,  to 
frame  a  code  of  by-laws  for  the  regulation  of  its  own  proceedings, 
which  shall  be  subject  to  the  revisal  and  approval  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

Resolved,  5,  That  said  committee  shall  keep  a  faithful  record  of  all 
its  proceedings,  and  send  the  same,  together  with  a  written  report,  up 
each  year  to  the  Assembly  for  its  review  and  C()ntrf)l. 

Resolved  further.  That  the  seat  of  the  operations  of  the  Assembly's 
Executive  Committee  of  Pulilication  be  the  city  of  Richmond,  in  the 
State  of  Virginia. 

426.   77ie  depository  property  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  tendered  to 

the  Assembly. 

1861,  p.  40.  Resolved,  That,  whereas  the  S\T^iod  of  Mississippi  has 
offered  to  this  Assembly  (under  certain  restrictions)  the  use  of  theii' 
property  in  the  idty  of  New  Orleans,  La.,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Assem- 
bly's scheme  of  Publication,  the  Assembly  hereby  acknowledges  their 
obligations  to  the  Syin)d  of  Mississippi  for  their  generous  offer;  and 
should  the  future  operations  of  the  committee  render  it  expedient,  they 
will  gratefuUy  accept  the  same. 

The  ftctiou  of  the  Syuod  in  this  matter  is  found  ou  page  11  of  the  Miuutes. — A. 


268  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

427.    Change  of  locality. 
1862,  p.  14.     Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  authorized  to  change 
temporarily  the  locahty  of  their  operations,  in  case  the  invasions  of  the 
foe  may  render  this  change  necessary. 

1867,  p.  147.  Hesolved,  That  the  overtm-e  sent  up  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Bullock,  proposing  to  remove  the  seat  of  operations  of  the  executive 
committee  from  the  city  of  Richmond  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  be  fa- 
vorably received ;  that  it  be  commended  to  the  prayerful  consideration 
of  the  executive  committee  at  Richmond,  and  that  they  be  directed  and 
authorized  to  remove  the  seat  of  said  committee's  operations  from  Rich- 
mond to  Baltimore  as  soon  as  shall  be  consistent  with  the  interests  in- 
volved and  the  general  welfare  of  the  enterprise. 

1868,  p.  273.  Hesolved,  That  in  view  of  the  present  facilities  offered 
at  Richmond  for  the  publication  of  works  and  transportation  of  stock, 
it  is  not  expedient  to  make  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  operations  of  the 
committee  from  Richmond  to  Baltimore,  as  proposed  in  an  overture 
made  to  the  last  Assembly  and  referred  to  the  executive  committee; 
and  that  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  be  hereby  tendered  to  the  gentle- 
men who  interested  themselves  in  obtaining  an  act  of  incorporation  for 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication  from  the  Legislature  of  Mary- 
land. 

1872,  p.  169.  The  Joint  Committees  of  Publication  and  Education, 
to  whom  was  referred  the  ovei-ture  from  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  request- 
ing the  return  of  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  and  Education  to  their 
original  locations;  the  overtiu'e  of  the  Presbytery  of  Red  River  to  the 
same  efifect ;  the  memorial  of  the  Presbytery  of  Chickasaw  touching  the 
Committee  of  Education ;  the  overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  Montgomery 
of  the  same  import ;  and  the  resolution  of  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Dis- 
trict, protesting  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis  asking  for 
the  removal,  report  to  the  Assembly  that  they  have  diily  considered  the 
same,  and  recommend  for  adoption  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  no  change  be  made  for  the  present,  either  as  to  the 
division  or  removal  of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Publication  and  Edu- 
cation. 

1872,  p.  169.  Overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  NashVille,  requesting 
the  Assembly  to  order  the  removal  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication to  the  city  of  Nashville.  Answered  in  the  negative,  the  Assem- 
bly deeming  it  inexpedient  to  make  any  change  in  the  location  of  the 
committee  at  present. 

Thanks  were  returned  to  the  Christian  people  of  Nashville  for  their 
generous  subscription  designed  for  the  purchase  of  a  publishing  house. 

1875,  p.  44.  To  the  Presbytery  of  Lafayette,  overturing  the  Assem- 
bly to  remove  the  Committee  of  Publication  to  St.  Louis,  your  commit- 
tee would  recommend  the  following  answer :  With  the  light  now  before 
us,  the  Assembly  deems  any  change  in  the  location  of  said  committee 
unwise,  and  hence  inexpedient. 

428.  Religioiis  literature  for  the  army. 

1862,  p.  14.  Resolved,  That  the  great  demand  for  religious  tracts, 
for  circulation  in  our  army,  makes  it  incumbent  on  the  executive  com- 
mittee to  use  immediately  all  necessary  available  means  in  meeting  this 
demand. 


Seo.  429.  J  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtrch.  269 

1863,  p.  147.  liesolred.  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed 
to  enlarge  promptly,  and  to  the  extent  of  their  i-esources,  those  pubH- 
cations  which  are  suited  for  the  army,  and  to  place  themselves  in  active 
and  constant  correspondence  with  every  agency  by  which  the  distribu- 
tion of  these  publications  may  be  facilitated  amongst  our  soldiers. 

186-1,  p.  307.  Condensed.  In  response  to  nnmerons  calls  from  cliaiilains  and 
others,  the  committee  published  an  Army  Hvmn  Book,  a  collection  of  eighty-two 
hymns,  with  the  music.  It  issued  15,000  copies.  In  addition  to  tracts,  the  com- 
mittee put  in  circulation  in  the  army  15,403  volumes,  obtained  from  the  Religious 
Tract  Society  of  London,  and  from  a  former  agent  of  the  Philadelphia  Board.  It 
also  published  and  circulated  a  monthly  paper.  The  Holdler's  Visitor,  consisting 
mainly  of  tracts  issued  in  sheet  form.  Chaplains  testified  to  the  high  value  of  this 
publication  and  the  avidity  with  which  it  was  sought  for  and  read.  It  was  begun 
August,  1803,  ijublished  monthly,  and  circulated  free  of  charge.  The  monthlv  issue 
in  May,  18G4,  was  over  8,000. 

429.   The  books  of  JRev.  W.  J.  Keith,  superintendent  of  colporta(/e. 

1863,  p.  164.  A  communication  from  the  Eev.  W.  J.  Keith,  late 
superintendent  of  colportage  f(jr  Georgia  and  Alabama,  asking  infor- 
mation touching  the  disposal  of  certain  books  in  his  possession,  for- 
merly belonging  to  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch 
in  the  United  States,  was  read,  and  referred,  on  motion  of  the  Rev.  C. 
W.  Lane,  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Pubhcation. 

P.  147.  The  Assembty  has  reason  to  commend  the  tidehty  of  Mr. 
Keith  in  preserving  from  sequestration  books  valued  at  $2,000 ;  and 
the  committee  recommend  that  the  executive  committee  take  charge  of 
the  same,  giving  to  Mr.  Keith  their  bond,  until  the  legal  title  shall  be 
settled  through  the  intervention  of  the  trustees,  to  whom  it  properly 
belongs  to  pn^tect  the  legal  rights  of  the  Assembly,  and  thereby  re- 
leasing for  immediate  circulation  books  greatly  needed,  but  which  at 
present  are  locked  up  from  distribution.     Adopted. 

1866,  p.  67.  Before  the  war  ^Ir.  Keith  was  employed  as  an  agent  or  colporteur 
of  the  board,  and  had  in  his  charge  a  large  amount  of  its  books  for  sale  in  a  fidu- 
ciary capacity.  After  war  became  tiagrant.  the  Confederate  Government  jiassed  an 
act  sequestering  the  property  of  aliens.  Under  this  act,  the  books  of  the  board 
were  about  to  be  seized  and  seqi;estered,  when  'Six.  Keith  very  wisely  set  up  a  claim 
for  the  books  as  the  pn)perty  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States 
of  America,  as  the  actiial  and  lawful  successor  of  the  old  Church  for  that  part  of 
the  coiintry  included  within  the  Confederate  States — a  principle  which  woiild  un- 
doiibtedly  have  been  acknowledged  everywhere,  had  the  revolution  succeeded.  Mr. 
Keith  was  required  to  give  his  bond  for  the  safe-keeping  of  the  books,  pending  the 
action  of  the  General  Assembly.  That  court  justified  the  covirse  of  ^Ir.  Keith,  at 
its  sessions  in  Columbia,  S.  C. ,  in  1863,  and  promised  to  indemnify  him  for  any  loss 
he  might  sustain  in  the  case ;  moreoA-er,  it  ordered  the  books  to  be  sent  to  Richmond, 
to  be  disposed  of  by  this  committee.  A  portion  of  them  were  sold,  a  portion  given 
away  to  the  soldiers ;  but  the  bulk  of  them,  with  the  money  received  from  their 
sale,  perished,  along  with  the  other  property  of  the  committee,  at  the  fall  of  the 
Confederacy,  and  by  the  great  fire. 

When  this  committee  learned  that  the  board  had  called  on  Mr.  Keith  for  a  settle- 
ment, it  promptly  informed  the  board  that  it  assumed  all  the  responsibility,  and 
would  discharge  every  just  claim  against  Mr.  Keith  arising  out  of  this  business. 
After  a  careful  investigation  of  the  matter,  and  obtaining  a  settlement  from  Mr. 
Keith  up  to  the  time  when  our  civil  troubles  began,  the  board,  by  a  unanimoiis 
vote,  cu'dered  the  claim  against  Mr.  Keith  to  be  cancelled,  and  his  account  squared. 
The  amount  thus  cancelled  was  about  .$2, 600. 

P.  27.  Jiesolved,  That  we  expi'ess  oiu*  gratification  at  the  satisfac- 
tory adjustment  of  the  claim  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Pubhcation 
on  this  committee,  and  om-  commendation  of  the  course  of  the  secretary 
of  that  board. 


270  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

430.   Our  imprimatur  to  be  placed  on  other  2>iMications. 

1863,  p.  147.  Hesolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  empowered 
at  once  to  make  a  cliscrimiuating  selection  of  rehgious  books,  wherever 
they  may  be  found,  and  to  make  arrangements,  as  soon  as  the  channels 
of  communication  shall  be  opened,  with  the  pubhshers  of  such  works, 
by  which  the  imprimatur  of  our  committee  shall  be  stamped  upon  them ; 
and  tliat  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  end  the  committee  shaU  pro- 
ceed at  once,  and  with  vigor,  to  raise  as  large  an  amount  of  money  as 
possible,  which  they  shall  invest  and  hold  in  whatever  form  shall  be 
most  safe  and  productive,  mitil  it  can  be  employed  in  the  purchase  of 
the  editions  contemplated.     (Substantially  repeated,  1865,  p.  374.) 

1866,  p.  27.  The  insertion  of  any  book  on  the  catalogue  shaU  be  re- 
garded a  sufficient  evidence  of  its  approval  by  the  committee. 

431.  Publication  Committee  to  pay  the  entire  salary  of  the  secretary 
of  Education  and  Publication. 

1864,  p.  265.  Resolved,  That  the  salary  of  the  secretary  (of  Educa- 
tion and  Publication)  be  raised  by  the  committee  for  the  ensuing  year 
to  an  amount  sufficient  for  his  sv;pport,  and  that  it  be  paid  entirely  from 
the  treasury  of  the  Committee  of  Publication. 

This  order  was  complied  witli  until  1867,  -when  the  Committee  of  Education  paid 
a  part  of  the  salary,  /.  e.,  f  750.  After  that  it  was  equally  divided  between  the  two 
funds,  until  1872,  when  the  Committee  of  Publication  for  that  year  again  paid  the 
full  salary,  which  was  approved  by  the  Assembly.  — A. 

432.  Ponation  from  the  Peligious  Tract  Society  of  I^ondon. 

1864,  p.  265.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  retiu-n 
to  the  London  Peligious  Tract  Society  the  grateful  thanks  of  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  for  the  kind  and  most  timely  donation  of  then-  pubUca- 
tions  for  circulation  among  oiu'  troops :  and  to  tender  to  the  Rev.  M. 
D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  thek  acknowledgment  of  his  generous  agency  in  pro- 
curing these  grants. 

This  donation  amounted  to  £400. — A. 

433.  Ponation  from  the  Pritish  and  Foreign  Pible  Society. 

1866,  p.  27.  The  Assembly  returns  its  hearty  acknowledgments  to 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  for  its  generous  relinquishment 
of  the  debt  of  twenty-five  hundi-ed  dollars  in  gold  due  to  it  by  this  com- 
mittee ;  and  also  to  donors  of  smaller  sums,  both  in  this  coxmtry  and  ia 
Europe. 

434.    Quorum  of  the  committee,  and  vacancies. 

1863,  p.  146.  Resolved,  That  the  rule  fixing  the  quorum  at  six  be, 
for  the  present,  relaxed,  so  that  during  the  pressure  created  by  the  war, 
any  three  members,  in  addition  to  the  secretary,  shall  be  deemed  com- 
petent to  transact  business. 

1866,  p.  27.  Vacancies  occm-ring  in  this  committee  shaU  be  tilled  by 
itself  rmtil  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  next  following.  Ordi- 
narily five  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  of  the  committee. 


Secs.  435-437.  ]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  271 

435.   The  rule  about  examining  hooJcs. 

1863,  p.  146.  Resolved,  That  the  stringent  rule  which  requii-es 
every  issue  of  the  committee  to  be  carefully  examined  by  at  least  seven 
members,  involving,  as  it  does,  an  amount  of  labor  which  practically 
defeats  the  very  end  intended  to  be  secured,  be  so  far  moditied,  or 
rather  interpreted,  as  that  any  book  or  tract  examined  by  three  of  the 
committee,  and  sanctioned  by  an  adopting  vote  of  at  least  seven  mem- 
bers, may  be  pubhshed. 

1866,  p.  27.  It  is  provided  that  when  objection  is  made  to  a  work, 
the  concmTence  of  seven  members  shall  be  requisite  to  its  publica- 
tion. 

1871,  p.  23.  That,  as  to  the  request  of  the  executive  committee  that 
the  Assembly  so  modify  the  rule  with  reference  to  the  examination  of 
books  as  to  permit  them  to  ask  and  accept  the  services  of  other  breth- 
ren in  the  examination  of  republications,  we  recommend  that  said  re- 
quest be  granted,  vmder  the  restrictions  set  forth  in  their  annual  re- 
port. 

These  restrictions  are  :  Tliat  the  names  of  those  who  have  examined  and  recom- 
mended a  book  for  republication  be  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  committee;  and 
in  cases  of  doubt,  it  shall  be  examined  and  approved  by  the  committee  itself  under 
the  present  rule  (p.  71). — A.  _^ * _________„„__ 

436.  Publishing  agent. — Assistance  for  the  secretary. 

1864,  p.  306.  The  Assembly  having  authorized-  the  appointment  of 
a  publishing  agent,  Mr.  William  D.  Cooke  was  selected  for  that  office, 
and  employed  for  his  entire  time. 

1866,  p.  64.  At  the  suggestion,  and  with  the  entire  consent  of  the 
secretar}^  himself,  the  committee  unanimously  charged  him  with  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  publishing  agent.  This  assignment  was 
fully  approved  by  the  Assembly  (p.  27). 

1868,  p.  273.  The  committee  is  authorized,  as  soon  as  other  finan- 
cial obhgations  wiU  warrant  it,  to  employ  an  assistant  or  assistants  to 
the  secretary,  in  such  departments  of  his  work  as  he  may  recommend. 

Upon  this  recommendation,  the  committee  appointed  Mr.  J.  D.  K.  Sleight  bus- 
iness agent. 

In  1874,  the  committee  reported  that  Rev.  S.  J.  Baird,  D.  D.,  had  been  emploj'ed 
as  assistant  to  the  secretary,  mainly  in  his  editorial  duties  (p.  560).  The  Assembly 
this  year  renewed  its  permission  to  the  committee  to  secure  such  relief  as  might  be 
required. 

1875,  p.  44  Dr.  S.  J.  Baird's  connection  with  the  committee  will  cease  by  con- 
tract with  the  first  of  July. 

487.  Plan  for  resuscitation,  including  depositories  and  an  endowment. 

1865,  p.  400.  The  executive  committee  reported  that,  by  the  fire 
which,  on  the  third  of  AprU  last,  laid  in  ashes  so  much  of  the  city  of 
Richmond,  their  office  with  all  its  contents  was  entii'ely  consumed.  Not 
even  the  office  books  were  saved.     With  reference  to  re-ororaniziu»  the 

O  O 

entire  work  the  following  was  adopted : 

1865,  p.  373.  That  in  view  of  the  gi'eat  need  of  rehgious  literature 
among  us,  both  for  Sabbath-schools  and  general  reading;  in  view  of 
the  difficulty  of  pubhshing  anything  like  an  adequate  supply  for  some 


272  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

time  to  come ;  and  also  in  view  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a 
judicious  selection  of  suitable  books,  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe, 
the  following  resolutions  are  offered : 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  PubHcation  Committee  be  charged  with  the 
duty  of  most  carefully  selecting  from  every  available  soui'ce,  whether  in 
Eiurope  or  America,  the  very  best  tracts  and  books  suited  for  Sabbath- 
schools  and  general  reading,  and  have  these  books  stamped  with  their 
imprimatur,  so  that  they  may  be  known  to  our  people  as  bearing  their 
endorsement. 

2.  That  the  executive  committee  be  directed  to  estabhsh  depositories 
for  these  books  at  such  points  as,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee, 
may  best  facilitate  their  circulation.  That  these  books  be  sold  at  a 
small  advance  on  the  cost,  and  the  proceeds  of  the  same  be  re-invested 
in  other  books  that  may  be  in  demand. 

3.  That  an  effort  be  made  to  raise  $50,000  (as  soon  as  practicable)  for 
the  purpose  of  setting  this  scheme  in  operation,  to  supply  the  destitute 
with  books  and  tracts,  and  to  print  such  books  and  tracts  as  may  be  in 
special  demand ;  and  further,  that  annual  collections  be  taken  up  in  all 
our  churches  for  sustaining  this  general  cause. 

438.  Branch  depositories. 

1866,  p.  68.  The  subject  of  branch  depositories,  included  in  the  plan 
of  the  last  Assembly,  received  early  attention.  Eegulations  for  their 
management  were  adopted;  but  the  funds  were  not  secured  to  justify 
the  establishment  of  a  branch  at  any  of  the  points  deemed  desirable. 
At  Columbia,  S.  C,  a  branch  depositoiy  has  been  estabhshed,  without 
involving  the  funds  of  the  committee,  but  securing  to  that  part  of  the 
Church  great  and  important  advantages. 

P.  27.  Hesolved,  That  we  withdraw  the  recommendation  of  a  former 
Assembly  touching  the  establishment  of  branch  depositories,  unless,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  depository  at  Columbia,  they  may  be  established  with- 
out exjDense  to  the  committee. 

1868,  p.  273.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Presbyteries  to 
make  arrangements,  wherever  practicable,  by  depositories  or  otherwise, 
for  the  introduction  of  the  books  and  pubhcations  of  the  committee 
within  our  bounds. 

1870,  p.  534.  Resolved,  That  the  question  of  estabhshing  a  depot  in 
some  great  centre  of  trade,  so  as  to  bring  our  books  into  the  mai'kets  of 
the  world,  be  left  to  the  wisdom  of  the  executive  commmittee. 

1882,  p.  551.  Other  Presbyteries  have  overtured  the  Assembly  on 
the  convenience  of  having  a  depository  for  our  books  either  at  St.  Louis 
or  Memphis.  As  a  committee  we  reahze  that  no  positive  instructions 
can  be  now  given  the  executive  committee  on  the  subject,  but  it  is  laid 
before  them  for  such  action  as  they  may  deem  advisable,  as  soon  as  the 
difficulties  now  in  the  way  are  removed. 

1884,  p.  216.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  PalmjTa,  viz. :  "  We 
earnestly  request  that  the  General  Assembly  instruct  its  Committee  of 
Publication  to  open  a  depository  of  oiu*  literature  in  St.  Louis,  if  the 
way  be  at  all  clear.  This  request  is  made  with  great  urgency,  from  the 
fact  that  nearly  one-third  of  oiir  Church  is  practically  cut  off,  by  high 
express  charges,  from  our  publications  in  quantities  too  large  to  mail. 
Our  literature  is  too  powerful  an  agent  in  disseminating  our  principles 


Sec.  -IS!;!.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chtrch.  273 

to  be  shut  up  in  one  corner  of  our  Church  out  of  reach  of  a  large  pro- 
portion of  our  membership."  Not  granted,  as  the  finances  of  the  execu- 
tive committee  do  not  at  present  warrant  the  estabhshment  of  a  dej^osi- 
torj'  at  St.  Louis. 

439.  Endoioment  for  the  committee. 

In  proyecntiiif,'  the  plan  of  raising'  the  i!i50,00()  for  endowment,  as  proposed  by  the 
Assembly  of  18(55,  the  execntive  committee  reported  in  1809  that  ^30,322.10  had 
been  secured,  by  special  donation  and  by  profits  on  biisiness  (p.  415).  Of  this 
amount  $12,00U  was  raised  throut;h  the  agency  of  Eev.  A.  P.  Silliman,  and  $1,321 
by  Kev.  S.  D.  Stuart,  from  sources  outside  of  the  bounds  of  the  Church  (18G8,  p. 
297).     In  1870,  !|34,24:2.57  had  been  received.— A. 

1871,  p.  23.  Eesolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  directed  to 
send  to  each  Presbyterial  committee  a  statement  of  the  amount  paid  by 
their  respective  Presbyteries  to  the  endowment  fund,  and  the  just  pro- 
portion yet  due  from  said  Presbytery ;  and  the  Assembly  would  urge 
the  Presbyteries  to  adopt  some  plan  by  which  this  amoimt  may  be 
raised,  if  possible,  diuing  the  present  year. 

1872,  p.  172.  The  endowment  fund  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Publication,  notwithstanding  the  generovis  contributions  obtained  for 
it  at  its  inception,  in  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Memphis  and  Nashville, 
and  the  liberal  donations  from  ceiiaiu  indi^dduals  which  it  thus  re- 
ceived, and  the  $1,518.58  added  to  it  last  year,  stiU  lacks  $14,993  of 
the  $50,000  originally  proposed. 

A  memorial  having  been  submitted  to  the  General  Assembly  from 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Pubhcation  with  reference  to  the  aims  and 
wants  of  the  committee,  which  memorial  is  found  on  page  379,  Minutes 
of  1873,  it  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  consisting  of  J.  H. 
Martin,  J.  S.  Moore,  W.  A.  Wood,  J.  G.  Eamsey,  and  J.  M.  Henson. 
On  the  report  of  this  committee  the  following  was  adopted : 

1873,  p.  334.  The  "special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  "  Me- 
morial on  the  endowment  fund  of  the  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication," beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report: 

The  substance  and  scope  of  the  memorial  presented  for  the  consid- 
eration and  action  of  the  General  Assembly,  is  a  statement  of  the  past 
embarrassment  and  present  wants  of  the  Committee  of  Pubhcation  in  a 
financial  point  of  view,  accompanied  with  an  earnest  petition  that  the 
Assembly  wiU  exert  its  authority  and  influence  to  afford  them  rehef, 
and  place  this  great  mterest  on  a  firm  and  enduring  basis.  To  this  end, 
they  ask  that  active  measures  may  be  taken  to  raise  an  aggregate  sum 
of  about  $(50,000,  of  which  $13,000  are  needed  to  complete  the  endow- 
ment of  $50,000,  the  minimum  amount  originally  proposed  and  ordered 
by  the  General  Assembly  to  be  raised  for  this  piu-pose,  while  $45,000 
are  reqiiired  for  the  purchase  of  a  publishing  house. 

Having  considered  the  whole  subject  contained  in  the  memorial,  the 
special  committee  recommend  the  adoption  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  That  the  Genersxl  Assembly  declares  its  sympathy  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  Publication  in  the  trials  and  perplexities,  arising  fi-om  a 
lack  of  adequate  funds,  which  they  have  heretofore  experienced,  and  in 
their  desire  to  be  relieved  of  pecuniary  embarrassment  and  fm-nished 
with  larger  means  and  facilities  for  the  prosecution  of  their  work  in 
time  to  come. 

i8 


274  DictEst  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

2.  That,  in  response  to  the  memorial  asking  that  one  grand  united 
effort  be  made  throughout  the  whole  Church  to  raise  the  money  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  wants  of  this  cause  at  this  time,  and  to  place  this  im- 
portant and  growing  interest  on  a  broad  and  permanent  foundation,  the 
General  Assembly  directs  that  a  special  collection  be  made  in  all  the 
churches  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  December,  1873,  or  as  near  thereto  as 
practicable,  and  hereby  calls  the  especial  attention  of  Presbyteries, 
ministers,  church  sessions,  and  the  entire  membership  of  the  Church, 
to  this  matter,  with  the  earnest  desu'e  and  strong  hope  that,  by  con- 
certed action  and  liberal  offerings,  the  amount  needed  will  be  ob- 
tained. 

3.  That,  as  an  auxiliary  method  of  promoting  the  object  in  view,  the 
General  Assembly  recommends  that  application  be  made,  in  the  name 
and  with  the  sanction  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication,  to 
individuals  of  known  benevolence  and  hberality,  for  special  contribu- 
tions.    All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

1876,  p.  223.  The  committee  is  hereby  auth(.)rized  to  add  to  the 
working  capital  whatever  portion  of  the  annual  collections  may  be  in 
excess  of  that  needed  in  the  missionary  department  of  the  work. 

For  additioual  steps  looking  to  the  creation  of  a  working  capital,  see  in  article  on 
Pnblisliing  House  what  is  said  about  the  issue  of  bonds. 

440.  A  monthly  paper  for  the  executive  committees. 

18ii7,  p.  146.  liesolved,  That  the  question  of  publishing  a  monthly 
paper  by  the  committee,  to  serve  as  an  organ  of  communication  be- 
tween the  executive  committees  and  the  churches,  be  referred  to  the 
executive  committees,  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

This  suggestion  did  not  meet  the  approval  of  the  committees  at  Col- 
umbia ;  therefore  it  was — 

1868,  p.  273.  Hesolved,  That  the  proposition  for  the  establishment 
of  an  official  newspaper,  to  be  the  organ  of  communication  between  the 
executive  committees  and  the  churches,  not  being  called  for  unanimously 
by  these  committees,  be  deferred  until  the  enlarged  scale  of  the  opera- 
tions, and  the  increased  resources  of  the  Chiu'ch,  may  seem  to  require 
such  an  organ. 

441.  PuhlisJdng  the  annual  reports. 

1868,  p.  273.  liesolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion be  directed  to  pubhsh  the  annual  report  in  pamphlet  form,  to- 
gether with  such  statements  about  the  funds  contributed  for  that  ob- 
ject, and  the  expenses  incurred,  as  may  be  needful  to  present  the  whole 
matter  fully  to  the  Church  ;  also,  that  an  abstract  of  the  rei)ort  be 
made  by  the  secretary  of  Publication,  and  inserted  in  the  Appendix  to 
the  Minutes.     This  direction  was  renewed  1869  (p.  387). 

442.   Non-denominational  books. 

1869,  p.  395.  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion be  authorized,  at  their  discretion,  to  publish  Sabbath-school  books, 
and  others  of  a  character  ucjt  denominational,  without  placing  on  them 
the  "  Presbyterian  "  stamp,  but  with  such  other  title  as  wiU  clearly  in- 
dicate our  own  publishing  house  in  Richmond. 


Secs.  443-446.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  275 

443.  Attendance  of  the  treasurer  upon  the  Assembly. 

1870,|p.  534.  Resolved,  That  the  order  of  the  Assembly  reqmring 
the  treasurer  of  Pubhcation  to  be  in  attendance  upon  the  meetings  of 
this  body  be  rescinded. 

444.   Separate  fund  for  benevolent  irork. — Applications  for  aid  to  be 

endorsed. 

1871,  p.  23.  Resolved,  That  the  treasurer  keep  a  separate  account 
of  donations  to  the  missionary  and  benevolent  work  of  the  committee, 
to  which  shall  be  credited  all  contributions  not  otherwise  directed, 
which  shall  constitute  a  fund,  irom.  which  grants  shall  be  made  to  min- 
isters, churches,  and  Sabbath-schools,  when  they  need  them,  and  are 
not  able  to  pay  for  them,  each  grant  exceeding  $5  in  value,  the  request 
to  be  endorsed  by  the  chairman  of  the  Presbyterial  committee. 

445.    7Vie  committee' s  ecclesiastical  year. 

1876,  p.  223.  The  Assembl}^  grants  the  request  submitted  by  the 
committee,  for  the  reasons  assigned,  resjDecting  a  change  in  the  ecclesi- 
astical year;  and  authorizes  it  to  begin  hereafter  on  the  first  day  of 
April,  and  end  with  the  last  day  of  March. 

446.  3fanagement  of  the  committee  and  secretary  endorsed. 

« 
1868,  p.  273.  In  respcmse  to  the  enquiries  contained  in  an  overtiu'e 
presented  by  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester,  this  Assembly  would  ex- 
press its  conviction,  as  a  result  of  a  full  investigation  conducted  by  the 
standing  committee,  that  the  expenditures  of  the  executive  committee 
have  been  graduated  by  a  careful  regard  to  justice  and  economy,  and 
are,  considering  the  contingencies  and  embarrassments  connected  with 
a  new  enterprise,  below,  rather  than  above,  the  amount  to  have  been 
anticipated,  and  that  the  committee  and  secretaiy  have  evinced  an 
aptness  in  financiering,  and  an  efficiency  in  management,  which  en- 
title them  emphatically  to  the  confidence  and  commendation  of  the 
churches. 

In  1875,  p.  44,  in  reply  to  an  overture  from  the  Synod  of  Memphis, 
touching  the  retrenchment  and  reduction  of  the  expenses  of  the  execu- 
tive committee,  the  Assembly  adopted  a  paper,  exonerating  the  com- 
mittee, approving  its  exj^enditures,  and  testif^ong  to  their  prudence  and 
economy  in  management. 

1876,  p.  222.  Overtiu-e  from  the  Presbytery  of  Nashville,  asking 
that  the  executive  committee  be  required  to  present  a  detail  of  assets, 
etc. ;  and  from  the  Synod  oi  Memphis,  asking  the  appointment  of  an 
aU  interim  conmiittee  to  examine  into  all  the  operations  of  the  execu- 
tive committee. 

Answer:  Inasmuch  as  all  that  is  asked  for  is  covered  by  the  general 
report  and  accompau^-ing  documents  presented  to  this  Assembly,  and 
inasmuch  as  no  charges  of  any  kind  have  been  preferred  refiecting 
against  the  executive  committee's  management  of  these  matters,  the 
Assembly  deems  that  the  object  of  such  overtures  has  been  substanti- 
ally accomplished,  and  that  therefore  nothing  further  is  needed:  but 
the  Assembly  would  request  the  Committee  of  Pubhcation  to  persevere 
in  introducing  into  its  administration  such  measui-es  of  economy  as,  in 


276  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

their  more  enlarged  experience,  they  may  find  consistent  with  the  effi- 
cient working"  of  the  committee. 

447.    Charter  of  incorporation  for  the  Committee  of  Publication. 

The  committee  haviug  obtained  from  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  an  act  of  incor- 
poration, which  act  would  not  be  of  force  \intil  accejated  by  the  committee,  the 
committee  in  its  report  (1873,  p.  372)  asked  that  they  be  authorized  to  organize 
under  it.  The  necessity  for  such  incorporation,  and  the  special  features  of  the 
charter,  are  exj)lained  at  length  in  the  re^jort.  The  following  action  was  taken  by 
the  Assembly: 

1873,  p.  325.  While  we  think  that  the  "incorporation"  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Publication  is  a  question  of  grave  importance,  yet,  after  pa- 
tient and  earnest  consideration  of  the  whole  matter,  we  are  satisfied 
that,  should  the  General  Assembly  decline  to  go  forward  in  this  enter- 
prise, serious  embarrassments  in  the  prosecution  of  its  labors  and  its 
efficiency  must  arise.  ^Ve  therefore  unanimously  recommend  the  ap- 
proval by  this  General  Assembly  of  the  charter  obtained  from  the  Le- 
gislature of  Virginia,  a  copy  of  which  is  appended  to  the  report  of  the 
secretaiy. 

This  act,  found  on  page  377  of  the  Minutes,  is  as  follows : 

Ak  Act  to  Incokpokate  the  Trustees  of  the  Peesbytekian  Committee  of  Publi- 
cation. 

»  Appi'dvtd  March  8,  1873. 
Whereas  there  is  establiiilied  in  the  city  of  liichmond  a  benevolent  institution 
which  is  known  as  the  I'rcfcbyterian  Committee  of  Publication,  which  has  for  its 
object  the  dissemination  of  religious  truth  by  means  of  the  printing  and  circulation 
of  books,  tracts,  papers,  cards,  etc. ;  and  whereas  it  is  believed  that  the  facilities  of 
said  committee  for  the  accomplishment  of  its  benevolent  purposes  would  be  greatly 
promoted  by  obtaining  an  act  of  incorporation;  therefore, 

1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia,  That  E.  Thompson  Baird, 
Charles  Genuet,  Moses  D.  Hoge,  William  Brown,  Charles  H.  Bead,  Thomas  L. 
Preston,  William  A.  Campbell,  E.  H.  Kutherford,  Wm.  F.  Taylor,  B.  E.  Wellford, 
E.  H.  Fitzhugh,  and  their  successors,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed,  a  body 
politic  and  corporate,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian 
Committee  of  Publication,  and  by  that  name  shall  have  a  jaerpetual  siiccession  and 
common  seal ;  may  contract  and  be  contracted  with,  sue  and  be  sued ;  may  acquire, 
receive,  hold,  possess,  and  enjoy,  and  may  rent,  sell,  convey,  invest,  and  otherwise 
manage  or  dispose  of,  as  to  them  may  seem  most  conducive  to  the  interest  and  pro- 
motion of  the  benevolent  piirposes  of  the  said  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, all  lands,  money,  or  other  property,  real  or  personal,  which  may  have  been, 
or  which  may  be  given,  or  otherwise  acquired,  for  the  use  of  said  committee ;  and 
the  said  trustees  and  their  successors  shall  hold  office  as  trustees  no  longer  than  they 
remain  in  office  as  members  of  the  said  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication,  or 
till  their  successors  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  their  duties  as  trustees :  provided, 
that  the  sum  of  money  so  acquired  shall  not  exceed  tM'o  hundred  thoiisand  dollars; 
and  provided  that  the  amount  of  land  held  by  them  for  })ermanent  use  shall  not 
exceed  a  half  acre  in  the  city  of  Richmond. 

2.  The  said  trustees,  and  their  siiccessors  as  a  board,  shall  have  power  to  till  va- 
cancies in  their  own  bodj',  the  persons  to  till  such  vacancies  to  be  chosen  from  the 
said  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication,  appointed  according  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  fuoresaid  committee ;  and  shall  have  power  to  appoint  such  officers  as 
may  be  requisite,  and  exact  from  any  of  them  such  bond  or  other  security',  in  such 
penalty  as  the  trustees  shall  direct,  conditioned  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
their  d titles. 

3.  Five  trustees  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business;  but 
it  shall  recpiire  a  majority  of  all  the  trustees  to  constitute  a  quorum  for  thi'  sale  of 
real  estate. 

4.  This  act  shall  take  effect  from  its  passage,  and  shall  be  subject  to  amendment, 
modification  or  repeal,  at  the  pleasure  of  the  General  Assembly  (of  Virginia) . 


Sec.  448.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  277 

1874,  p.  520.  The  executive  committee,  acting  mider  authority  con- 
ferred by  the  last  Assembly,  haA-ing  obtained  a  charter  from  the  Le- 
gislature of  Virginia,  have  organized  as  a  board  of  trustees,  and  ac- 
cepted the  charter,  thus  making  it  secm-e  so  far  as  it  may  be  judged 
proj)er  by  the  Assembly  to  use  it,  but  have  not  yet  placed  the  propeily 
of  which  it  has  charge  in  the  legal  custody  of  the  corporation,  continu- 
ing to  hold  the  property  and  to  do  its  business  as  heretofore,  and  await- 
ing final  instructions  from  this  Assembly.  Your  committee  is  of  opinion 
that  this  measure  has  been  wisely  taken,  to  remove  great  inconvenience 
in  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  committee,  to  enable  the  com- 
mittee to  receive  devises  or  bequests  in  Virginia,  and  to  prevent  failiu'es 
of  de\'ises  or  bequests,  which  might  occur  without  the  incorporation  of 
the  committee.  We  judge  that  there  is  no  reasonable  ground  for  ap- 
prehension of  the  corporation  becoming  independent  of  the  Assembly, 
as  members  of  the  corporation  must  be  members  of  the  Assembly's 
executive  committee,  who  are  appointed  and  removable  by  the  Assem- 
hlj.  We  are  further  of  opinion,  after  careful  consideration,  and  using 
the  most  satisfactory  sources  of  information,  that  the  charter  obtained 
is  valid,  and  that  there  is  not  the  shadow  of  a  ground  for  distrust,  or 
question  of  the  safety  to  the  Church  of  all  the  property  that  may  be 
covered  by  it.     Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembh'  approves  the  organization  of 
the  executive  committee  under  the  act  of  incorporation  obtained  from 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  orders  the  com- 
mittee to  put  the  i:)roperty  of  which  it  has  charge  in  the  legal  custody 
of  the  ctirporation. 

1875,  p.  65.  On  the  15th  day  of  April  the  committee  met  and  adopted 
the  necessary  minute,  ordering  the  transfer  of  the  property  to  the  cor- 
poration. The  board  of  trustees  thereupon  accepted  the  trusts  in- 
volved, and  ordered  the  deeds  to  the  real  estate,  which  were  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer,  to  be  recorded. 

448.  By-lmos  for  the  trustees. 

1876,  1^.  22;}.  The  Assembly  approves  and  adopts  the  by-laws  which 
have  been  sent  uja  for  its  consideration  and  action  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee, for  the  government  of  its  board  of  trustees,  and  orders  that  they 
be  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly. 

The  following  are  the  by-laws  thus  approved : 

1.  The  officers  of  the  corporation  shall  be  a  presideut,  vice-president,  secretary, 
treasurer,  and  clerk,  who  shall  be  elected  annually,  and  continue  in  office  until 
their  successors  are  chosen. 

2.  The  president,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  the  vice-president,  shall  preside  at 
all  meetings  of  tlie  board ;  and  in  case  of  the  absence  of  both,  the  board  shall  elect 
a  president  pro  t<  nqxnr. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  board,  and  shall,  under 
its  direction,  be  the  organ  of  communication  in  all  matters  relating  to  the  biisiness 
of  the  corporation. 

4.  The  clerk  shall  take  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  trustees  at  their  several 
meetings,  which  shall  be  read  at  the  same  or  the  next  succeeding  sitting  of  the 
board,  and  when  a^jproved,  shall  be  recorded  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose, 
under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the  secretary,  who  shall  see  that  the  original 
minutes  are  carefully  filed  away  and  preserved. 

o.  The  treasurer  shall  keej),  in  a  proper  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  an  accu- 
rate account  of  his  receipts  and  disbursements,  and  shall  make  report  thereof  annu- 
ally to  the  board,  and  at  such  other  times  as  he  may  be  directed  by  the  said  board 
to  do  so. 


278  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

6.  Vacancies  in  any  of  the  offices  shall  be  tilled  by  the  board. 

7.  The  trustees  shall,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  corj^oration,  be  subject  to 
the  control  and  direction  of  the  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication ;  provided, 
however,  that  instructions  given  by  donors  in  regard  to  the  disposition  of  their  gifts 
shall  be  held  to  be  inviolate,  and  in  all  cases  be  faithfully  carried  out. 

8.  The  annual  report  of  the  treasurer  shall  be  presented  to  the  board  on  the  first 
Thursday  of  Maj'  in  each  year,  and  the  election  of  ofticers  be  made  annuallj-  on 
the  second  Thursday  in  Ji;ne. 

9.  The  secretary  shall  have  power  to  call  meetings  of  the  board  at  his  discretion, 
and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  do  so  whenever  requested  by  any  two  of  its  members. 

10.  The  corporation  shall  have  and  wse  a  seal,  of  metal,  with  the  following  in- 
scription, ' '  The  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication,  March  8, 
1873. "  The  seal  shall  remain  in  the  custody  of  the  secretary,  and  shall  never  be 
attached  to  any  instrument  withoiit  the  order  of  the  trustees. 

11.  These  by-laws  may  be  amended  under  the  order  of  the  Presbyterian  Com- 
mittee of  Publication,  or  by  a  majority  of  the  trustees  present  at  two  successive 
meetings. 

449.  The  Publishing  House. 

1873,  p.  371.  From  the  report  of  the  executive  cominittee : 
The  committee  has  purchased  the  large  and  commodious  building  on 
the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and  Tenth  streets,  Eichmond,  as  a  pub- 
lishing house.  The  price  to  be  paid  is  $45,000,  of  which  about  $13,000 
is  to  be  paid  in  cash,  and  the  remainder  is  under  a  deed  of  trust,  which 
must  be  paid  by  the  first  of  March,  1875.  The  necessity  of  this  move- 
ment arises  fi'om  the  following  considerations,  viz. : 

1.  It  is  necessary  in  order  to  give  permanency  to  this  committee. 
Until  the  committee  is  furnished  with  the  proper  facilities  for  conduct- 
ing its  business  in  Richmond,  it  can  never  be  considered  as  j)erma- 
nently  established.  It  is  manifestly  essential  for  it  to  have  a  basis  of 
permanence  in  order  to  business  efficiency  and  success. 

2.  The  preservation  of  the  property  entrusted  to  it  requires  better  ac- 
commodations than  we  can  possiblj-  obtain  by  renting.  Fire-proof 
vaults  for  the  storing  of  stereotj^pe  plates,  and  ample  accommodations 
for  the  storing  of  printed  matter,  b(jund  and  unbound,  are  matters  of 
the  first  necessity  to  every  publishing  house.  These  facilities  we  have 
not  noAv,  but  will  have  in  the  building  we  have  purchased. 

3.  Tiie  tenuis  by  which  we  hold  rented  property  is  too  uncertain. 
Last  summer  we  were  notified  to  leave  the  building  we  now  occupy,  it 
having  been  rented  over  our  heads.  Providentially  this  arrangement 
fell  through,  or  we  should  have  been  placed  at  great  difficulty  in  ob- 
taining a  suitable  \A^ce  to  store  our  goods,  valued  at  about  $35,000. 

4.  As  our  business  grows,  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  have  a  building  of 
our  own,  that  we  can  alter  and  accommodate  to  our  increasing  business 
necessities. 

The  committee  advanced  in  this  connection  a  number  of  considerations  which 
caused  them  to  feel  justitied  in  undertaking  this  important  and  expensive  enter- 
prise (see  report) 

On  this  the  Assembly  took  the  following  action: 

1873,  p.  32fi.  Resolved,  That  while  dechning  to  express  an  opinion 
as  to  whether  the  executive  committee  was  authorized  to  contract  for 
the  purchase  of  a  publishing  house,  yet  because  of  the  seeming  neces- 
sity of  the  case,  and  to  prevent  any  possible  evil  consequences  which 
would  result  from  the  want  of  such  a  building,  this  Assembly  does 
hereby  approve  the  contract  or  purchase  as  negotiated  by  the  executive 
committee,  and  do  hereby  authorize  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pub- 


Sec.  449.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitkch.  279 

lication  to  consummate  said  piu'chase  of  the  building  specified  in  the 
rej)ort  of  the  secretaiy,  when  an  organization  shall  have  been  effected 
under  the  act  incorporating  the  trustees  of  said  committee. 

JResolved,  That  no  funds  shall  be  used  in  payment  for  the  Publish- 
ing House  but  such  as  are  especially  contributed  for  such  purpose. 

1874,  p.  569.  According  to  tlie  instructions  of  the  Assembly,  the  committee  com- 
pleted the  purchase  of  the  Publishing  House,  the  title  of  the  property  dating  from 
the  first  of  July.  On  the  first  of  January  we  removed  from  otir  rented  rooms,  and 
took  possession  of  those  reserved  for  our  special  iise  in  said  building. 

The  building  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Tenth  and  Main  streets.  It  is  24  feet 
9  inches  wide,  140  feet  deep,  and  four  stories  high,  with  a  basement  well  lighted,  a 
sub-basement,  and  five  vaults  under  the  pavement  on  Tenth  street.  In  187(),  the 
gentleman  who  held  the  deed  of  trust  remitted  to  us  $2,077.03.— A. 

1874,  p.  521.  The  Assembly  recommends  to  all  the  chiu'ches  to  make 
collections  for  the  Publisliing  House  fund  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  De- 
cember next,  and  especially  commends  this  important  enterprise  to  the 
Hberality  of  persons  of  means. 

1877,  p.  440.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  dis- 
pose of  the  Publishing  House  as  soon  as  this  can  be  done  without  un- 
necessary sacrifice  of  value,  unless  means  are  raised  within  a  reason- 
able time  to  Hquidate  the  debt  now  resting  upon  it. 

1878,  p.  685.  In  obedience  to  these  instructions,  the  property  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  responsible  real  estate  agents  for  sale,  in  June  last ;  and  in  August,  in  or- 
der that  everything  possible  might  be  done  to  carry  out  the  order  of  the  General 
Assembly,  the  agents  were  instructed  to  offer  it  at  public  sale ;  but  the  offers  made 
being  unsatisfactory,  it  was  withdrawn.  The  committee  have  believed  that  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  would  jiistify  them  in  delajang  the  sale  until  more  favorable  terms 
could  be  obtained.  The  property  is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  agents,  -^-ith  instruc- 
tions to  sell  as  soon  as  fair  value  can  be  obtained ;  and  there  is  reason  to  expect  that 
at  an  early  day  the  sale  will  be  effected. 

P.  647.  The  executive  committee  are  directed  to  dispose  of  the  Pub- 
lishing House  as  soon  as  this  can  be  done  without  unnecessary  sacrifice 
of  value.     SubstantiaUy  repeated  in  1879. 

1881,  p.  885.  In  the  judgment  of  this  committee  there  is  no  reason 
why  the  least  uneasiness  should  be  felt  touching  the  mortgage  on  the 
Pubhshing  House.  This  judgment  is  based  on  the  following  consider- 
ations: 1.  The  insiu'ance  policy,  and  what  could  be  realized  by  sale  of 
the  lot,  would,  in  case  of  fire,  amount  to  more  than  the  sum  for  which 
the  property  is  mortgaged.  2.  The  property,  if  now  forced  on  the 
market,  would,  it  is  beheved.  bring  the  sum  due  on  it,  and  more.  3.  Peal 
estate  is  appreciating  in  the  city  of  Richmond.  4.  There  is  no  rea- 
son to  apprehend  that  the  mortgagee  will  ever  press  his  claim  in  any 
injurious  way.  5.  The  Publishing  House  for  the  last  year  has  virtually 
been  of  no  expense  to  the  Church,  and  all  indications  are  that  it  will  be 
a  clear  gain  next  year.  6.  If  the  General  Assembly  should  hereafter 
elect  to  have  its  own  depository  of  books  in  Richmond,  so  that  the  sec- 
retary of  PubHcation,  under  the  direction  of  the  executive  committee, 
might  be  charged  with  tilling  the  orders  of  the  churches  for  books  and 
papers,  then  the  Pubhshing  House  would  afford  the  necessary  deposit 
room  free  of  rent,  or  in  addition  to  paymg  all  expenses  of  interest  and 
repairs,  and  thus  save  at  least  S40()  a  year  to  our  beloved  Church. 
These  considerations  lead  your  committee  to  the  ccmclusion  .that  the 
present  relation  of  the  Pubhshing  House  is  that  of  gain  and  not  of  loss. 
Hence  your  committee  recommend  that  the  discretion  given  to  the  ex- 


280  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

ecutive  committee  by  the  General  Assembly  of  last  year  iu  reference 
to  tbe  sale  of  the  PubHsliing  House  be  also  given  to  it  by  this  As- 
sembly. 

1882,  p.  549.  The  following  plan  was  adopted  to  jDay  off  the  mort- 
gage on  the  Publishing  House,  and  to  provide  a  business  capital : 

It  appears  from  the  report  of  the  executive  committee  that  it  is  pay- 
ing interest  upon  the  mortgage  on  the  Publishing  House  of  $1,860  an- 
nually, the  rate  of  interest  being  six  per  cent.  This  interest  is  provided 
by  rents  of  the  house.  We  propose  that  the  executive  committee,  if  it 
meets  their  approval,  be  authorized  to  issue  bonds  to  the  amount  of 
$40,000,  bearing  interest  at  four  per  cent.,  payable  semi-annually.  The 
yearly  interest  would  be  $1,600,  or  $260  less  than  the  amount  now  paid, 
and  would  be  provided  out  of  the  rents  of  the  house.  Let  the  present 
mortgage  on  the  house  be  taken  up,  $31,000  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
bonds  being  appropriated  for  this  purpose;  there  would  then  remain 
$9,000  to  be  employed  as  capital  in  the  business.  To  this  the  esti- 
mated proceeds  of  the  next  annual  collection  being  added,  the  amoimt 
would  be  nearly,  if  not  quite,  $16,000.  It  is  believed  that  these  bonds 
might  all  be  placed  among  our  own  people  if  issued  under  the  follow- 
ing conditions : 

1.  Let  them  be  secured  by  mortgage  on  the  real  estate  and  such  other 
property  as  the  executive  committee  controls. 

2.  Let  this  Assembly  order  that  $4,000  of  the  annual  collection  for 
Pubhcation  be  appropriated  as  a  fund  for  the  liquidation  of  the  bonds. 

3.  Let  this  Assembly  call  upon  the  churches  to  continue  with  in- 
creased liberality  their  contributions  to  this  cause. 

4.  That  the  bonds  be  payable  ten  years  from  date,  with  the  privilege 
of  redemption  after  five  years. 

5.  None  of  the  bonds  shall  be  issued  until  the  whole  amount  to  be 
placed  is  secured  by  subscription. 

The  advantages  of  this  scheme  are  these : 

1.  An  adequate  capital  will  be  provided  within  twelve  months  for  the 
conduct  of  the  business. 

2.  Though  a  poi-tion  of  this  caj)ital  will  be  borrowed,  it  wiU  not  sub- 
ject the  business  to  any  burden  of  interest,  inasmuch  as  that  will  be 
provided  from  the  rents  of  the  house.  There  will,  indeed,  be  an  actual 
saving  of  interest  to  the  amount  of  $260 

3.  The  provision  which  this  plan  proposes,  of  a  smking  fund  derived 
from  the  collections  for  the  payment  of  the  bonds,  offers  a  most  impor- 
tant advantage,  as  it  in  effect  provides  for  the  permanent  endowment 
of  the  work. 

1883,  p.  29.  The  four  per  cent,  bonds,  to  the  amount  of  $40,000, 
through  the  personal  efforts  of  the  secretary,  have  all  been  placed,  and 
by  the  first  of  June  will  be  read}'  for  delivery. 

1884,  p.  269.  The  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1882, 
for  providing  the  necessary  capital  for  resuming  the  business  of  the 
depository,  has  been  successfully  carried  out,  and  the  bonds  subscribed 
for,  as  reported  last  year,  have  been  issued  as  far  as  needed.  It  was 
not,  however,  found  necessary  to  issue  the  full  amount  authorized,  viz. : 
$40,000,  but  only  $33,650. 

With  the  larger  poi'tion  of  the  fmids  realized  from  these  bonds,  the 
mortgage  of  $31,000  upon  the  Publishing  House  was  released,  and  the 
remainder  applied  to  the  paj^ment  of  bills  for  stock  of  books  purchased. 


Sec.  450.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  281 

From  the  collections  received  duriBg  the  past  month,  S4,500  of  these 
bonds  have  been  redeemed,  leaA-ing  outstanding  only  $29,150. 

In  May,  1885,  the  amount  of  outstanding  bonds  was  $23,130;  in  May,  1886,  the 
amount  was  fil4,800.  At  this  date,  August,  1887,  there  is  money  on  hand  for  the 
payment  of  all  that  have  not  already  been  paid  and  cancelled.  ^ — A. 

450.    Co)Uracts  of  the  committee  with  the  secretary. 

1878,  p.  628.  The  following  paper  from  the  Executive  Committee 
of  Publication,  tcniching  a  certain  charge  against  the  same,  was  referred 
to  the  Standing  (bmmittee  on  Publication : 

"Immediately  before  the  meeting  of  the  last  Assembly  it  was  pub- 
licl}'  asserted,  and  widely  circulated  over  the  Church,  concerning  our 
late  secretary,  Eev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.,  that  he,  '  as  the  secretary, 
made  contracts  with  himself,  as  printer,  for  the  printing  of  the  Publi- 
cation Committee,'  and  that  '  these  facts  were  known  to  all  who  cared 
to  know  them.' 

"  Knowing  how  imjust,  as  well  as  injurious,  in  its  character  this  charge 
was  to  Dr.  Baii'd  by  its  assertion,  and  to  the  committee  by  its  implica- 
tion, it  was  distinctly  and  fully  met  in  om*  annual  report  for  1877,  as 
may  be  found  on  page  27.  After  referring  to  the  circumstances,  and 
to  a  carefully-guarded  written  agTeement,  under  which  Dr.  Baird  was 
engaged,  in  1867,  to  do  the  printing  necessary  for  the  committee,  the 
following  declaration  was  made,  viz. :  '  That  the  prices  were  determined 
by  the  committee,  and  not  by  Dr.  Baird,  and  that,  therefore,  in  no 
sense  did  he  ever  make  a  contract  with  himself.' 

"  But,  notwithstanding  this  expUcit  denial  of  the  charge,  it  was  re- 
peated and  circulated  at  various  times  soon  after  the  close  of  the  last 
Assembly,  and  it  has  been  quite  recently  re-asserted  in  a  most  positive 
and  pubhc  manner,  and  again  widely  cuculated  over  the  Church. 

"  If  the  alleged  '  contracts '  existed,  and  were  '  known  to  all  who  cared 
to  know  them,'  they  must  have  been  known  to  the  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication ;  and  if  thus  existing  and  thus  kno\\ai,  this  committee  is  mani- 
festly impHcated  in  a  wilful  and  disreputable  connivance  at  wrong,  and 
in  such  a  deliberate  betrayal  of  its  trust — and  all  this  persisted  in  for 
years — as  would  deserve  the  severest  censures  of  the  Church. 

"  But  if  it  be  untrue  that  such  '  contracts '  were  made,  then  this  wide- 
spread allegation  referred  to  is  not  only  exceedingly  unjust  to  Dr. 
Baird,  and  to  such  members  of  the  committee  individually  as  were 
implicated,  but  is  also  an  exceedingly  injurious  imputation  ujDon  the 
committee  as  a  body,  and  well  suited  t(i  impair  its  usefulness  in  the 
work  entrusted  to  it. 

"  Therefore,  under  the  circumstances  presented  in  this  statement,  your 
committee  have  come  to  the  conclusion,  however  reluctantly,  that  it  is 
theii"  duty  to  place  this  matter  in  the  hands  of  the  General  Assembly 
for  such  consideration  as  may,  in  their  wisdom,  be  deemed  suitable. 
If,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  the  rumors  and  allegations  re- 
ferred to  are  calculated  to  aft'ect  the  interest  of  the  Pubhcation  cause 
injuriously,  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pubhcation  hereby  respectfully 
suggest  the  propriet}^  of  a  careful  investigation,  aftbrding  them  an  op- 
portunity to  submit  documentary  and  other  testimony  bearing  upon 
the  case.'" 

The  committee  reconniiend  that  this  Assembly  take  steps  at  once  to 
investigate  this  allegation  and  charge,  because  it  has  been  widely  cir- 


282  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

culated,  is  exteiisiveh'  believed,  is  ver}'  damaging  to  the  cause  of  Publi- 
cation, and  (though  explicitly  denied  in  the  sixteenth  annual  report  of 
the  executive  committee,  made  in  1877,)  it  has  since  been  pubHcly  and 
repeatedly  re-assei*ted. 

This  report  was  adopted  unanimously,  and  the  Standing  Committee 
of  Pubhcation  was  directed  to  make  the  investigation  referred  to. 
This  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted : 
P.  648.     The  following  facts  wiU  give  a  correct  histoiy  of  this  mat- 
ter: 

1.  In  1867  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication  were  compelled 
to  send  their  printing  to  another  city,  or  to  have  inferior  work  done  in 
Eichmond  at  higher  prices  than  what  were  charged  in  New  York  and 
Philadelphia. 

2.  About  September  16th,  1867,  Dr.  Baird  "  purchased,  on  his  ovra. 
account,  a  press,  believed  to  be  of  a  superior  kind,"  and  proposed  to  do 
their  work  "  at  the  New  York  and  Philadelphia  prices." 

3.  The  executive  committee  accepted  his  j3roposition,  and  made  a 
general  contract  with  him,  expressly  stij^ulating  "  that  the  printing 
done  in  Dr.  Baird's  office  shall  be  ordered  by  the  committee,  and  his 
bills  be  made  payable  only  on  the  approval  of  an  auditing  committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose." 

4.  Not  long  after  this  the  opinion  began  to  prevail  in  some  parts  of 
the  Church  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication  permitted 
their  secretary  to  make  contracts  with  himself  as  printer.  This  opinion 
was,  without  doubt,  due  to  ignorance  of  the  real  nature  of  the  contract 
made  between  Dr.  Baird  and  the  executive  committee. 

5.  Soon  after  the  sad  revelation  of  March,  1877,  it  was  publicly  al- 
leged that  Dr.  Baird,  "  as  the  secretary,  made  contracts  with  himself, 
as  printer,  for  the  i^rinting  of  the  Publication  Committee."  This  alle- 
gation was  widely  circulated,  extensively  believed,  and  veiy  damaging 
to  the  cause  of  Publication. 

6.  To  remedy  this  matter  the  executive  committee,  in  their  sixteenth 
annual  repoi't  to  the  General  Assembly,  in  1877,  made  the  following 
statement:  "  As  a  wrong  impression  has  been  made  upon  the  minds 
of  some  concerning  the  relations  of  the  committee  to  the  printing  office 
owned  by  Dr.  Baird,  the  committee  desire  to  state  that  a  carefully  pre- 
pared paper  relating  to  this  subject  is  to  be  found  in  our  Minutes 
(which  are  transmitted  for  the  inspection  of  the  Assembly)  for  Septem- 
ber 16th,  1867,  from  which  the  following  facts  are  made  to  appear: 
1st,  That  with  the  purchase  of  the  printing  office  the  committee  had 
nothing  to  do ;  it  was  made  by  Dr.  Baird  on  his  own  account,  but,  as 
the  committee  believed,  through  a  desire  to  facilitate  the  Publication 
work.  2nd,  That  it  was  never  the  piu'pose  or  policy  of  the  committee, 
in  conducting  the  Publication  business,  to  purchase  or  to  employ  print- 
ing presses  of  its  own ;  but  the  relation  of  the  committee  to  the  whole 
matter  was  simply  a  business  transaction,  whei'eby  a  contract  was  made 
with  Dr.  Baird  on  advantageous  terms;  and  this  c(jntract  defines  the 
chai'acter  of  the  approval  of  the  committee  to  that  arrangement.  3rd, 
That  the  prices  were  determined  by  the  committee,  and  not  by  Dr. 
Baird,  and  that,  therefore,  in  no  sense  did  he  ever  make  a  contract 
with  himself." 

7.  This  statement,  not  correcting  the  "  wrong  impression,"  nor  stop- 
ping the  allegation  from  being  again  made,  the  executive  committee 


Sec.  451.  ]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  283 

has  called  the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  this  matter,  who 
directed  the  Standinp^  Committee  on  Publication  to  investigate  it. 

8.  After  carefully  examining  documentary  and  other  evidence,  we 
find  nothing  to  substantiate  the  said  allegation.  In  order,  therefore, 
to  correct  the  wrong-  and  injurious  impression,  we  recommend  that  the 
papers  containing  the  contract  be  published  in  the  Appendix  to  the 
Minutes. 

451.    Losses  throKgh  the  business  failure  of  the  secretary. 

1877,  p.  440.  The  Assembly  expresses  its  sympathy  with  the  com- 
mittee in  the  embarrassing  circumstances  through  which  it  has  passed; 
approves  its  action  in  maintaining  the  honor  and  jmrity  of  our  beloved 
Church,  by  assuming  to  pay  the  liabilities  incurred  by  the  late  secre- 
taiy,  and  commends  its  fidelity  and  zeal  in  obtaining  money  to  pay 

these  losses We  reconiTuend  our  churches  to  raise 

a  sum  of  money  sufficient  to  meet  the  emergency  caused  by  the  loss 
recentl}'  inciu-red,  and  to  protect  the  honor  and  good  name  of  the 
Church. 

The  Assembly  desires  gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  those 
Northern  houses  that  have  extended  their  credit  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Pubhcation  in  its  jDresent  embarrassment. 

These  losses  were  at  first  reported  to  nmouut  to  -f  22, -408. 75.  They  were  later  as- 
certained to  amount  to  #24,0UU.-  A. 

P.  441.  liesolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  appoint  three  expe- 
rienced business  men,  familiar  with  accounts,  to  repair  to  Eichmond,  as 
early  as  practicable,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  thorough  examination 
of  all  the  financial  aifaii's  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication, 
and  report  the  result  to  the  public  through  the  newspapers,  and  then 
formally  to  the  next  Assembly,  and  that  alternates  be  appointed  to 
supply  the  places  of  any  of  the  committee  who  are  unable  to  go. 

Committee :  L.  C.  Inghs.  of  Baltimore,  Md. ;  J.  J.  Gresham,  of  Macon, 
Ga. ;  W.  8.  McCrae,  of  Louisville,  Ky. ;  with  alternates,  J.  Adger  Smythe, 
of  Charleston,  8.  C. ;  Joseph  R.  Mitchell,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  G.  W. 
McCrae,  of  Memphis,  Tenn. 

This  committee  submitted  the  following  rejjort : 

1878,  p.  (J89.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  which 
met  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans  on  the  17th  day  of  May,  1877,  appointed,  by  reso- 
lution, a  committee  of  three  "to  repair  to  Kichmond  at  as  cai-lj'  a  day  as  practi- 
cable, for  the  pur^jose  of  makinj=;  a  thorouf^h  examination  into  the  affairs  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Publi<'ation,  and  report  the  result  to  the  public  through  the  newspapers, 
and  to  the  uoxt  Asscmblj'." 

In  pursuance  ot  this  resolution  the  undersi<?ned,  constituting  a  working  quorum 
of  this  committee  of  three,  met  in  the  city  of  Richmond  on  the  27th  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1877,  ami  proceeded  to  make  the  examination  directed  by  the  Assembly. 

They  had  before  them  the  record  of  the  transactions  of  the  Publication  Com- 
mittee in  all  the  departments  of  its  business,  from  the  earliest  date  at  which  any 
regular  record  of  such  transactions  appears  to  have  been  made,  to-wit :  November 
1st,  18GG,  to  October  1st,  1877,  exce])t  one  book  of  original  entry,  which  disappeared 
about  the  time  the  late  secretary  left  the  city  of  Richmond,  and  has  not  since  been 
found.  They  examined  carefully  all  the  books  and  papers  bearing  in  any  way  upon 
these  matters;  they  sought  information  and  explanation  from  persons  connected 
with  the  business;  they  invited  communication  on  tlie  sul)jcct-matter  of  their  exam- 
ination, and  in  every  way  endeavored  to  thoroughly  familiarize  themselves  with  the 
business  methods  and  practical  working  of  the  Publication  Committee,  while  ob- 
taining the  statistical  information  desired  by  the  Assembly.  They  encountered 
many  and  serious  difficulties  in  the  prosecution  of  their  inqxiiry,  difficulties  arising 


284  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

mainly,  as  they  are  convinced,  from  irregularities  in  the  conduct  of  the  business, 
from  a  want  of  system  in  the  book-keeping,  from  the  lack  of  vouchers  for  many  of 
the  disbursements  of  the  Publication  House,  and  from  the  mixing  up,  by  the  late 
secretary,  of  his  own  private  biisiness  with  his  official  business.  While  these  causes 
of  difficulty  have  not  appeared  to  them  to  proceed  from  any  wrong  or  unworthy 
motive,  the  result  has  been  sixch  as  to  render  it  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impracti- 
cable, to  obtain  any  i^ositively  accurate  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  affairs  at 
any  given  period.  A  proper  set  of  books,  properly  kept  and  frequently  balanced, 
would  show  with  perfect  accuracy,  almost  at  a  glance,  the  condition  as  to  solvency 
and  prosperity,  or  otherwise,  of  the  business.  The  books  of  the  Publication  House, 
instead  of  being  balanced  once  a  month  or  oftener,  as  they  should  have  been,  were 
allowed  to  remain  for  long  periods  of  time  unbalanced ;  and  it  is  highly  improbable 
that  the  jDersons  conducting  the  business  coT\ld  themselves  have  had  at  any  particu- 
lar period  a  just  idea  of  the  iinancial  condition  of  the  house.  The  lack  of  a  reg- 
ular and  competent  book-keejaer,  having  sole  charge  of  the  books,  is  a  friiitful 
source  of  confusion ;  but  the  committee  are  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  even  if  this 
soiu'ce  of  difficulty  had  never  existed,  the  irregular  business  practices  of  the  late 
secretary,  and  his  arbitrary  interference  with  the  regular  course  of  affairs,  consti- 
tute a  cause  sufficient  to  account  for  any  amount  of  confusion.  The  committee 
have  succeeded  to  a  great  extent,  as  they  think,  in  overcoming  these  difficulties,  by 
patient,  earn^^st  and  unremitting  effort  during  eight  consecutive  working  days,  and 
while  they  have  found  themselves,  at  the  close  of  their  examination,  unable  to  at- 
tain a  result  that,  in  point  of  accuracy,  is  entirely  satisfactory,  they  present  herewith 
"to  the  public  through  the  newspapers''  a  statement  which  they  believe  to  contain 
a  fair  and  substantially  correct  exhibit  of  the  "affairs  of  the  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, "  with  special  reference  to  the  administration  of  them  in  the  past,  their  present 
aspect,  and  the  outlook  for  the  future. 

The  committee  desire,  at  this  point,  to  state  that,  throtighout  the  whole  of  their 
investigation,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  they  have  had  the  hearty  co-opera- 
tion and  assistance,  so  far  as  requested,  of  the  members  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee of  Publication,  and  of  those  connected  in  any  way  with  the  business  affairs  of 
the  Publishing  House ;  they  have  had  free  access  to  the  books  and  papers  of  the 
concern;  and  auy  information  or  explanation  desired  in  order  to  a  full  and  accu- 
rate understanding  of  the  business  has  been  readily  and  freely  given  by  all  upon 
whom  they  have  had  occasion  to  call ;  so  that,  if  the  committee  shall  be  ccmsidered 
to  have  failed  to  auy  extent,  ht)wevei  small,  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  object 
of  their  examination,  such  failure  should  not  be  attributed  to  any  opposition,  or 
even  luke-warmness,  on  the  part  of  any  one  connected  with  the  Publication  busi- 
ness, but  rather  to  the  difficulties  herein  before  mentioned,  and  to  such  want  of 
ability  or  cajiacity  as  may  exist  on  the  jiart  of  the  undersigned. 

By  going  carefully  over  the  books  in  which  the  original  entries  were  made  by  the 
treasurer  of  Publication,  the  committee  found  that  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Publication  acknowledge  to  have  received  for  the  cause  of  Publication  generally, 
by  contributions  from  all  sources,  since  November  1st,  1866,  the  sum  of  $125,6^1.01. 
This  amount,  supplemented  by  a  sufficient  siim  from  the  proceeds  of  sales,  they 
iind  to  have  been  disbursed  as  follows: 
For  exjjenses  of  conducting  the  Publication  business,  such  as  rent,  taxes, 

interest,  discounts,  insurance,  etc, f  27,190  06 

Freight  on  merchandise  purchased, ;-i,913  09 

Postage  on  letters  and  on  donations  of  books,  etc.,  sent  through  the 

mail, 7,  -41 5  57 

Advertising 1, 634  31 

Salaries  of  secretary  and  other  employees, 70, 229  31 

Travelling  exjienses  of  secretary  and  others  on  official  business, 2,696  42 

Commissions  to  colporteurs  on  sales  by  them, 4, 505  27 

Donations  to  churches  and  Sabbath-schools, 45, 956  77 

Total, fl63,540  80 

It  will  appear  from  this  that  the  entire  amount  contributed  by  the  Church  to  the 
cause  of  Public-ation  has  been  expended  in  furtherance  of  objects  which  ciome 
within  the  sphere  of  the  legitimate  operations  of  the  Publication  Committee. 

The  committee  also  tiuds  that  a  statement  of  receipts  and  disbursements,  on  ac- 
count of  the  C/tildrcN's  Friend  and  Enrjient  Worker,  saows  that  they  have  not  been 
a  source  of  loss  to  the  Church.  The  receipts  of  the  Children'^  Friend,  from  sub- 
scriptions and  other  sources,  during  the  ten   years  of  its  ])ublication,  to  October 


Sec.  451.]  The  A(iEXCiES  of  the  Chuech.  285 

1st,  1877,  have  beeu  $49, 787.11,  and  the  disbursements  for  running  expenses, 
$44,373.33,  showing  a  balance  of  *o, 413.78  in  favor  of  receipts  during  that  pe- 
riod . 

The  receipts,  from  subscriptions  and  other  sources,  of  the  Earnest  Worker  and 
Lesson  Papers  combined,  during  the  whole  period  of  their  publication  to  October 
1st,  1877,  have  been  •'{'23, 028. 04,  and  the  disbursements  on  account  of  running  ex- 
penses during  the  same  period,  !y23, G2G.64,  showing  a  balance  of  '^'2,  in  favor  of 
receipts  during  the  seven  years  of  their  existence. 

It  is  projier  to  say  that,  in  order  to  get  a  fair  statement  of  the  results  of  the  pub- 
lication of  these  papers,  the  committee  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  credit  the  pa- 
pers respectively  with  the  value  of  the  donations  of  them,  ordei-ed  by  proper  au- 
thority and  actually  made,  just  as  if  there  had  been  subscriptions  to  that  amount 
actually  paid. 

They  also  find  that  there  has  been  received  on  account  of  the  "Building  fund" 
i|19,4(J2.77,  out  of  which  sum  a  payment  of  $10, 731. 34  has  beeu  made  on  the  Pub- 
lication House,  and  the  remainder  has  been  expended  for  repairs  to  the  building, 
for  store  fixtures,  and  other  legitimate  charges  on  that  fimd. 

The  committee  sincerely  rejoice  that  they  are  able  to  say  to  "the  public,"  as  one 
of  the  results  of  their  examination,  that,  while  the  management  of  the  affairs  of 
Publication  in  the  past  has  been  marked  by  an  apparently  reckless  disregard  of 
some  of  the  ordinary  rules  of  business  pi'iidence,  the  funds  contributed  by  the 
Church  for  the  cause  of  Publication  have  not  been  perverted  into  other  channels 
and  to  other  uses. 

The  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Publication  Committee  on  the 
1st  of  October,  1877,  which  is  given  below,  is  based  upon  an  inventory,  which  the 
undersigned  cuiised  to  be  made,  of  the  stock  on  hand  at  that  date,  and  a  stateiuent, 
from  the  books,  of  bills  receivable  and  payable.  The  valuation  put  upon  the  stock 
of  books  is  the  exact  wholesale  value  of  the  stock,  taken  from  the  trade  cu-culars, 
and  that  put  upon  the  stereotype  plates  is  considered  low  enough  to  be  safe,  though 
representing  rather  the  value  ot  the  plates  to  any  concern  which  proposes  to  con- 
tinue the  publication  of  oiir  literature,  than  the  market  value  of  the  goods  if  offered 
for  sale  to  publishers  generally.  The  stereotyj^es  of  the  Psalms  and  Hymns,  and  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith  would  doubtless  sell  readily  in  open  market  at  the  valuation 
put  upon  them,  while  for  some  of  the  other  plates  there  would  probably  be  no  sale 
at  all  if  offered  to  the  trade  generally. 

8t(it4^mcnt  s/iuicinr/  the  Financial  Condition  of  the  Publication  Committee  on  the  1st 

day  of  October,  1877. 

ASSETS. 

The  Committee's  own  publications  on  hand,  valued  at  net  prices  one- 
half  off, $15,638  71 

Publications  of  other  houses,  purchased  by  the  Committee  and  on  hand, 

valued  at  net  prices— <me-third  off, 3,479  87 

Net  goods,  i.  e. ,  stock  in  the  sale  of  which  there  is  no  reduction  made  in 

price  for  any  reason, 3,972  95 

Stereotype  plates  of  different  books  and  illustrations,  and  store  fixtures,  24, 539  79 

Bills  receivable — notes  and  open  accounts  considered  good, 5,834  85 

Total  available  assets, $53,466  17 

LIABILITIES. 

Bills  payable-  Notes, $29,223  12 

Open  accounts, 10,770  46 

Total  liabilities  outstanding, $39,993  58 

Excess  of  assets, $13,472  59 

It  will  appear  from  this  statement  of  assets  and  habilities,  which  the  committee 
believes  to  be  fair  and  just,  that  if  the  business  of  publishing  is  continued,  either  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee  as  now,  or  by  contract  with  some  outside  Jjarty,  as  is  pro- 
posed, the  Publication  Committee  is  perfectly  solvent,  even  if  not  one  cent  is  ever 
realized  from  any  assets  there  may  be  of  the  late  secretary  towards  making  up  the 
amount  of  his  defalcation.  No  part  of  this  indebtedness  of  the  late  secretary,  which 
amounts  to  $23,000,  as  now  ascertained,  is  included  among  the  assets  in  the  above 
statement,  though  all  those  obligati(ms  given  by  him  which  are  considered  binding, 


286  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

either  legally  or  morally,  ou  the  Publication  Committee,  are  included  among  the 
habilities.  So  that  whatever  portion,  if  any,  of  this  defalcation  shall  be  hereafter 
made  up  from  any  assets  of  his,  will  increase  to  that  extent  the  above  stated  excess 
of  assets. 

In  presenting  these  results  of  their  examination,  and  in  such  discussion  of  them 
as  they  have  felt  called  upon  to  make,  the  desire  of  the  committee  has  been  neither 
to  extenuate  in  anj'thing,  nor  to  set  down  aught  in  malice,  but  they  have  sought  to 
obtain  and  to  lay  before  the  Church,  in  obedience  to  its  behest,  the  facts  which  shall 
enable  it  to  deal  intelligently  ^vith  the  matter  of  Publication  iu  the  present  and  near 
future.  That  there  has  been  serious  mismanagement  of  the  business  department 
of  Publication  in  the  past  is  very  evident.  The  expenditure  of  an  average  amomit 
of  nearly  $9, 0(J0  a  year,  for  eleven  years,  ou  account  of  salaries,  rent,  taxes,  interest, 
discounts  and  insurance,  in  carrying  on  a  business  which  has  employed  an  average 
capital  of  only  $12,000  a  year  for  the  same  period,  is  sufficient  of  itself  to  condemn 
the  management. 

Reference  to  these  matters  of  the  past  is,  however,  only  of  value  in  enforcing  the 
lessons  of  wisdom  which  experience  teaches  The  evil  of  excessive  expense  in  con- 
ducting the  business  has,  under  the  present  management,  already  been  to  a  great 
extent  corrected,  and  more  is  in  contemplation  in  the  same  direction.  The  current 
expenses  have  been  actually  reduced  $2,750  a  year,  chiefly  by  the  reduction  of  sal- 
aries, and  if  the  lower  or  main  floor  of  the  building  is  rented  out,  and  the  business 
transferred  to  one  of  the  iipper  floors,  as  is  proposed,  there  will  be  a  still  further 
saving  in  rent  of  from  ii!l,GOO  to  .f  1,800  a  year. 

A  strong  and  earnest  effort  is  being  made,  with  fair  prospects  of  success,  to  sell 
the  house  for  an  amount  in  cash  that  will  pay  off  all  the  debt,  and  leave  several 
thousand  dollars  for  the  general  work  of  the  committee ;  and  negotiations  are  now 
pending  for  the  publication  of  our  literature  and  papers  by  contract.  If  these  ne- 
gotiations and  the  effort  to  sell  the  house  prove  successful,  accommodations  suffi- 
cient for  the  business  that  will  remain  can  readilj^  be  obtained  near  the  present 
location  at  a  still  further  reduction  of  rent. 

The  energetic,  orderly  and  business-like  management  at  present  existing  is  mak- 
ing itself  felt  in  all  departments,  and  if  the  contemplated  rediictions  in  expense 
shall  be  made  in  addition  to  those  already  effected,  the  business  will  soon  reach  the 
point  of  paying  its  own  expenses,  with  a  safe  margin  each  year  for  losses  and  other 
contingencies,  thus  leaving  all  the  contributions  of  the  Church  to  Publication  to  be 
devoted  to  the  strictly  benevolent  work  of  disseminating  religious  literature  among 
the  destitute  portions  of  our  people. 

In  order  to  the  full  and  speedy  accomplishment  of  this  object,  it  is  highly  impor- 
tant, if  not  absolutely  necessary,  that  the  hands  of  the  executive  committee  should 
be  strengthened  at  once;  and  the  undersigned  see  no  reason,  in  view  of  the  results 
of  their  examination,  why  the  confidence  of  the  Church,  alienated  to  a  considerable- 
extent  by  the  errors  of  the  past,  shoiild  not  be  fully  restored  in  the  present  man- 
agement, and  its  contributions  flow  liberally  as  of  old  in  this  important  channel  of 
Christian  beneficence.  L.  Charles  Inglis, 

G.  W.  Macrae. 

452.    The  business  of  the  committee  to  be  done  by  contract. 

1877,  p.  440.  Jiesolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed 
to  (!arry  on  the  sale,  as  well  as  the  publishing,  of  books  by  contract,  if  it 
be  found  practicable  to  effect  such  contract. 

1878,  p.  G46.  The  following-  contracts  were  effected :  The  printing  of 
the  Earnest  Worker  and  (Jhlldrens  Frioidi?^  done  by  Whittet  cSi  Shep- 
person,  who  pay  to  the  executive  committee  a  fixed  amount  for  every 
subscriber,  and  a  certaui  per  cent,  on  the  gross  receipts  for  advertising. 
The  printing  and  selling  of  books  is  done  by  the  St.  Louis  Presbyterian 
Publishing  Company,  who  pay  a  royalty  on  their  sales.  The  wisdom 
of  this  plan  is  (dearly  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  income  from  the  con- 
tract with  Whittet  and  Shepperson  is  even  now  snffi(rient  to  pay  about 
one-half  (jf  the  exi)enses  of  the  committee. 

1881,  p.  386.  The  judgment  of  this  committee  is  respectfully  offered 
for  the  approval  of  the  Assembly,  that  it  is  desirable  that  our  secretary, 


Sec.  453.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  287 

under  the  direction  of  tlie  committee,  should,  as  soon  as  practicable,  be 
charged  with  the  responsibility  of  filling  the  orders  of  the  churches  and 
of  oiu-  people  generally  for  books  and  papers.     Adopted. 

1882,  p.  548.  Your  committee  would  recommend  that,  as  the  last 
Assembly  did  recommend,  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication  do 
resume  the  direct  control  of  the  publishing  and  sale  of  books,  and  vari- 
ous overtures  having  been  sent  up  to  this  Assembly  from  different  Pres- 
bj-teries  urging  this  course,  that  this  Assembly  renew  the  instructions 
given  the  executive  committee  last  year,  but  in  more  explicit  form,  viz. : 
that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  annul  the  contract  with  the  Pres- 
b}i;erian  Pubhshiug  Company  at  as  early  a  day  as  the  terms  of  the  con- 
tract and  the  means  of  the  committee  will  permit,  or  earher  if  the  par- 
ties agree.     Adopted. 

1884,  p.  270.  The  contract  with  the  Presbyterian  Publishing  Com- 
pany, of  St.  Louis,  was  terminated  on  the  ninth  of  July  1883,  twelve 
months'  notice  having  been  previously  given. 

During  the  five  years  of  the  continuance  of  this  contract  \sith  the  Presbyterian 
Pubhshiug  Company  the  committee  received  from  the  company  as  royalty  on  sales 
$'2,.')2:i.2(5.  During  the  ten  years  to  date,  Messrs  Whittet  it  Sheppersou  have 
paid  as  royalty  on  the  Sabbath-school  publications  $15,5GU.79.  In  addition  to  this 
royalt}',  the  i)ublishers  have  sent  the  journals  to  ministers  without  charge,  agree- 
able to  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly. 

453.    Colportage. 

1863,  p.  147.  Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  colj^ortage  be  remitted 
for  further  consideration  by  the  Church,  it  being  impossible  in  the  jDre- 
sent  condition  to  institute  any  efficient  system,  and  it  being  desirable 
that  the  mind  of  the  Church  should  first  be  formed  and  expressed  as 
to  the  manner  in  which  it  may  best  be  conducted,  whether  through  an 
army  of  colporteurs  immediately  appointed  and  superintended  by  the 
executive  committee,  or  by  the  voluntary  and  concurring  agency  of  oxvc 
respective  Presbyteries ;  for  which  reason  alone  the  subject  is  referred 
to  in  this  report. 

186G,  ID.  27.  That  we  recommend  the  committee  to  apjDoint  agents 
for  the  sale  of  books,  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  the  Presbyteries 
within  whose  botmds  they  are  to  labor  ha\'ing  first  been  obtained.  We 
likewise  recommend  that,  whenever  practicable.  Presbyteries  shall  make 
arrangements  with  booksellers  to  keejD  for  sale  a  supply  of  the  books 
of  the  committee,  and  that  each  Presbytery  appoint  one  of  its  own 
members  to  act  as  a  corresponding  member  of  the  committee,  and  to 
take  special  oversight  of  its  operations  within  the  boimds  of  his  Pres- 
bytery. 

1867,  p.  198.  From  the  executive  committee's  report:  The  plan 
adopted  by  the  last  Assembly  has  not  yet  had  a  very  thorough  trial,  as 
but  little  has  yet  been  done  on  the  subject.  About  twenty  have  been 
commissioned,  on  the  recommendation  of  their  respective  Presbyteries 
or  Synods,  or  of  corresponding  members  on  behalf  of  their  Presbyte- 
ries. .  .  .  While  the  plan  has  not  been  thoroughly  inaugurated, 
it  has  developed  itself  sufficiently  to  show  that  it  re(j[ui'res  rerision  in 
some  respects.  The  committee  is  not  able  to  furnish  large  supi)Ues  of 
books,  to  lie  idle  for  months,  in  charge  of  an  inefficient  agent :  and  hence 
authority'  is  rei^uested  to  withdraw  the  commission  of  any  agents  who 


288  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

may  be  found  inefficient,  or  who  fail  to  comply  with  our  business  regu- 
lations. 

P.  146.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  cautioned  in  the  mat- 
ter of  the  choice  of  book  agents  or  colporteurs,  and  that  the  executive 
committee  be  authorized  to  withdi'aw  the  commission  of  an  unsuit- 
able agent,  after  conference  with  the  Presbyterial  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication. 

1869,  p.  887.  That  the  j^lan  for  colportage  recommended  in  previous 
reports  by  this  committee,  recommended  also  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  last  year — which  plarf  has  been  adopted  by  some  of  our  Presbyteries 
— and  which  is  again  set  forth  in  this  report  of  the  executive  committee, 
be  approved,  and  recommended  to  all  the  Presbyteries  for  adoption. 

The  nature  and  details  of  this  plan  are  not  given  in  the  Minutes,  nor  in  the 
abridged  report  of  the  committee  published  in  the  Appendix. — A. 

1870,  p.  565.  The  executive  committee  reported :  So  far  no  arrange- 
ment has  been  made  with  colporteurs  in  any  part  of  the  Church  which 
has  proven  itself  practical!}'  advantageous  to  the  general  cause,  or  which 
has  promoted  the  interests  of  this  committee  in  any  adequate  degree. 
Thereupon  the  Assembly  (p.  534),  Resolved,  That  the  executive  com- 
mittee shall  settle  up  outstanding  accounts  with  colporteurs,  and  that 
the  whole  matter  of  colportage  be  committed  to  the  Presbyteries,  to 
carry  on  as  they  may  deem  best.  And,  with  a  view  to  the  largest  pos- 
sible distribution  of  ovcc  books  among  the  people,  the  committee  wiU 
make  sales  to  Presbyteries  on  the  most  favorable  terms,  and  grant  do- 
nations for  distribution  through  Presbyterial  agents  whenever  and  to 
as  large  an  extent  as  it  can  be  properly  done. 

1871,  p.  64.  The  amoimt  expended,  up  to  date,  in  grants  of  books 
and  expenses  of  colporteurs,  is  $19,846.26. 

1876,  p.  223.  The  Assembly  urges  upon  the  Presbyteries  the  im- 
portance and  advantage  of  arranging  and  executing  some  plan  of  col- 
portage among-  their  churches  respectively,  and  for  information  as  to 
a  plan  which  has  worked  well  and  profitably,  would  refer  them  to  that 
adopted  by  the  Winchester  Presbytery,  and  which  the  executive  com- 
mittee is  instructed  to  pubhsh  in  the  appendix  of  its  report. 

1877,  p.  479.  The  executive  committee  says :  As  the  most  feasible 
method,  the  committee  urged  the  Assembly  to  transfer  the  whole  mat- 
ter to  the  Presbyteries,  and  thus  not  only  gave  them  the  appointment 
of  the  colporteur,  but  also  aimed  to  throw  on  them  the  whole  pecuniaiy 
responsibility.  Of  coiuse  this  plan  saved  the  committee  from  the  evils 
thus  endured :  but  it  has  evils  of  its  own,  or,  at  all  events,  it  has  pro- 
duced undesirable  results.  While  the  Presbyteries  nominally  support 
the  colporteur,  in  point  of  fact,  in  most  instances  he  is  suj^ported  by  this 
committee.  It  is  rare  that  a  Presbytery  raises  a  sufficient  capital  to 
support  the  colportage  work,  but  generally  they  rely  on  us  for  the  cap- 
ital to  do  it  with.  With  much  self-sacrifice  we  have  aided  them  to  the 
full  extent  of  our  ability.  According  to  this  plan  the  colporteur  is  sup- 
ported by  his  sales.  But  the  books  are  ours,  usually  bought  by  the 
Presbyterial  committee  on  credit,  at  the  highest  possible  discount, 
thus  taking  away  from  us  all  the  profit,  and  transferring  it  to  the  Pres- 
bytery to  pay  their  colporteurs.  Now,  if  the  Presbyteries  paid  cash 
down,  this  might  be  safe  and  profitable,  because  we  could  immediately 
invest  the  money  so  as  to  become  productive.     As  it  is,  we  are  out  of 


Secb.  454-457.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  289 

the  capital  until  the  colporteur  sells  the  books  and  gets  his  own  salary, 
when  he  turns  over  to  us  enough  to  satisfy  oiu-  claim.  In  other  words, 
it  is  oiu-  capital  which  is  employed,  but  the  advantage  and  profit  is  that 
of  the  Presbytery,  and  while  the  committee  by  its  funds  does  the  work, 
the  whole  of  the  credit  goes  to  the  Presbj'tery. 

1884,  p.  217.  liesolced,  That  the  executive  committee  be  directed 
to  prepare  and  submit  to  the  next  General  Assembly  a  plan  of  colport- 
age,  to  be  operated  by  said  committee  in  those  Presbyteries  desiring 
such  work. 

1885,  p.  417.  Hesolved,  That  the  work  of  colportage  be  referred  to 
the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication,  to  take  whatever  action  may  be 
deemed  advisable ;  but  it  is  understood  that  they  shall  not  assume  any 
control  in  a  Presbyter^'  without  its  permission. 

1887,  p.  211.  Eesolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion be  authorized  and  instructed  to  inaugurate  and  prosecute  the  work 
of  colportage  as  their  resources  may  permit,  and  in  such  fields  within 
our  bounds  as  the  providence  of  God  may  indicate. 

454.    Candidates  as  colporteurs. 

1871,  p.  19.  Ovei-tm-e  of  Presbytery  of  Western  District,  pra\dng 
the  General  Assembly  to  recommend  that  the  Committee  of  Publication 
employ  candidates  for  the  ministry  as  colporteui's  during  their  vacations. 

Answer :  AVhile  fully  recognizing  the  utihty  of  the  colportage  work  to 
the  churches  and  students,  we  also  remember  the  rare  and  jjecuHar 
qualifications  required  for  this  work.  We  can  therefore  only  remit  the 
request  to  the  favorable  attention  of  the  Committee  of  Pubhcation. 
Adopted. 

455.  Restrictions  as  to  sales  removed. 

1877,  p.  440.  The  restrictions  as  to  the  terms  on  which  the  pubh- 
cations  of  the  committee  are  sold  are  hereby  removed,  and  the  whole 
subject  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  executive  committee. 

456.  Regulations  for  the  committee. 

1877,  p.  442.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  refers  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publication,  fomid  on  page  28  of 
their  annual  report,  touching  certain  "  regulations  for  the  administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  the  committee,"'  to  the  said  committee  itself,  re- 
commending that  they  be  put  into  effect  as  far  as  practicable. 

The  following  are  the  regulations  alluded  to,  as  given  in  the  appendix : 

That  the  secretary  aiul  treasurer  eacli  be  required  to  give  bond  and  proper  secii- 
rity  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  duty;  that  the  treasurer  only  shall  receive  all 
moneys  belonging  to  the  committee,  keeping  separate  accounts  of  each  fund ;  that 
all  moneys,  as  soon  as  they  are  received,  shall  be  deposited  in  bank  to  the  credit  of 
each  fund;  that  no  money  shall  be  paid  out  except  upon  the  check  of  the  secre- 
tarj',  countersigned  by  the  treasurer ;  that  no  money  shall  be  borrowed  except  by 
authority  of  an  express  vote  of  the  committee ;  and  that  all  obligations  of  the  com- 
mittee, as  well  as  all  debts  contracted  in  its  behalf,  shall  be  listed  and  reported  to 
the  committee  at  its  next  meeting  thereafter. 

457.   The  secretary  made  treasurer. 

1878,  p.  647.  Resolved,  That  the  work  of  the  treasurer  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  secretary,  who  shall  be  designated  as  the  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  Pubhcation. 

19 


290  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

458.   The  secretary  to  visit  Synods  and  Presbyteries. 

1879,  p.  48.  We  recommend  that  the  efficient  secretary  and  trea- 
surer of  Publication  visit  the  Sj^nods  and  Presb^^teries,  as  far  as  practi- 
cable, to  give  detailed  information  concerning  the  operations  of  the 
committee,  to  remove  the  difficulties  which  now  hinder  the  success  of 
this  work  among  the  people,  and  thus  to  enhst  their  hearty  sympathies, 
their  prayers,  and  their  liberal  gifts  in  its  behalf. 

459.  Provision  for  yratuitous  distribution. 

■  1880,  p.  205.  With  the  improved  condition  and  brightening  pros- 
pects of  the  executive  committee,  it  is  recommended  that  one-tenth  of 
the  receipts  from  donations  be  applied  to  gratuitous  distribution,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  committee;  but  it  is  expressly  to  be  understood  that 
nothing  be  allowed  to  interfere  with  the  speediest  possible  payment  of 
the  debt. 

1881,  p.  386.  The  Assembly  authorized  this  year  fifteen  per  cent,  of 
receipts  from  donations  to  be  used  in  gratuitous  distributions. 

1884,  p.  215.  Pesolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  directed 
to  comply,  as  far  as  possible,  with  the  implied  pledge  made  by  the  last 
Assembly,  viz. :  "If  the  churches  continue  to  contribute  to  this  cause  as 
hitherto,  that  as  large  an  amount  as  $4,000  per  year — equivalent  in 
books  at  catalogue  prices  to  about  $7,000 — may  be  devoted  to  this  ob- 
ject, and  distributed  according  to  the  plan  of  the  committee,  to  our  fee- 
ble churches,  mission  fields  and  Sabbath-schools ;  and  we  request  that 
notice  be  given  in  the  papers  of  the  Church  when  this  literature  will  be 
ready  for  distribution,  and  how  application  should  be  made  in  order  to 
obtain  it." 

460.    Consolidation  with  the  Philadelphia  Board. 

1886,  p.  47.  To  the  overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  Palmyra,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  a  like  committee 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Northern  branch  of  the  Presbji^erian  Church, 
to  institute  measures  looking  to  a  union  or  consolidation  of  the  Board 
of  Publication  and  the  Committee  of  Publication,  this  is  recommended 
as  the  answer :  It  is  inexpedient. 

461.    Proposed  consolidation  of  the  Committees  of  Publication  and 

Education. 

1880,  p.  215.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures 
on  overture  from  the  Synod  of  North  Carolina,  asking  for  the  consoli- 
dation of  the  Committees  of  Publication  and  Education,  was  refen'ed 
to  the  next  General  Assembly  in  connection  with  the  subject  of  Re- 
form and  Ketrenchment. 

1881,  p.  ;J67.  Tlie  Assembly  adoi)tcd  tile  majority  report  on  Ketreuclimeut  uud 
Reform,  wliieli  provided  that  the  live  executive  committees  be  coutiiuied  as  at 
present. 

462.  Memorial  of  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D. 

1883,  p.  45.  It  was  resolved  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publi- 
cation be  instructed  to  publish  the  memorial  of  the  late  Rev.  Stuart 
Robinson,  D.  D.,  as  prepared  by  the  Rev.  J.  N.  Saunders. 


Sbcs.  463-468.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  291 

4G3.   The,  Kennedy  bequest  for  Bibles  and  tracts. 

1873,  p.  337.  It  was  ordered  that  the  bequest  of  Judge  Kennedy, 
which  is  to  be  spent  in  prociu-ing  Bibles  and  tracts,  be  paid  over  to  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Publication. 

•4G4.    The  treasurer  to  show  an  itemized  statement. 

1885,  p.  419.  The  committee  recommend  that  the  treasurer,  at  the 
end  of  each  year,  show  in  his  ledger  an  itemized  statement  covering  the 
amounts  received  and  disbursed  under  each  subject  from  which  money 
is  received,  and  on  account  of  which  money  is  disbursed.     Adopted. 

465.   Salary  of  the  secretary. 

1884,  p.  21G.  Resolved,  That  the  salary  of  the  secretary  be  placed 
at  $3,000  per  annum. 

466.   Ri'liglous  literature  for  freedmen. 

1866,  p.  26.  The  Assembly  would  enjoin  the  publication,  with  funds 
given  especially  for  that  object,  of  works  designed  for  the  use  of  freed- 
men. 

1867,  p.  197.  The  committee  says:  "The  sum  of  $422.25  has  been 
given  for  the  benefit  of  our  colored  brethren,  either  for  general  distri- 
bution or  for  Sabbath-school  uses.  Every  application  made  for  their 
benefit  has  been  granted.  .  .  .  The  means  reqviisite  to  stei'eotype  and 
print  large  editions  of  such  works  (the  preparfition  of  which  was  ordered 
by  the  last  Assembly),  we  have  not  had:  but  under  our  auspices  a 
Primer,  a  First  Book,  and  a  Spelling  Book  have  been  prepared,  well 
adapted  to  the  end  desired,  and  wiU  be  pubhshed  as  soon  as  we  have 
the  funds  in  hand  to  meet  the  expense. 

1875,  p.  43.  Two  Catechisms,  prepared  by  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Schieffe- 
lin,  of  New  York,  a  ruling  elder  of  the  Eeformed  Church,  have,  after 
careful  examination  by  the  committee,  been  approved  for  pubhcation, 
and  will  in  a  short  time  be  added  to  our  Sabbath-school  facilities.  We 
'  notice  with  pleasm-e  the  fact  that  Mr.  Schieflfelin  has  authorized,  at 
his  own  expense,  the  gi'atuitous  distribution  among  the  freedmen  of  as 
many  copies  of  these  Catechisms  as  can  be  judiciously  disposed  of. 
The  titles  of  these  two  books  are  "Milk  for  Babes"  and  "  Childi-en's 
Bread." 

467.  Literature  for  the  Indians. 

1882,  p.  550.  An  overture  has  been  placed  in  our  hands  from  the 
Synod  of  Arkansas,  asking  that  some  measure  be  adopted  so  that  the 
urgent  need  of  the  Chickasaw  and  Choctaw  chiu'ches  and  people  may 
be  supplied  with  books  in  their  own  language.  It  is  recommended 
that  the  executive  conmiittee  confer  with  the  Committee  of  ForeigTi 
Missions  and  the  missionaries  among  these  tribes,  and  that  this  urgent 
call  be  attended  to  as  soon  as  deemed  practicable,  with  a  proper  regard 
for  other  claims.     Adopted. 

468.  iJate  for  Publicatioyi  collection. 

1885,  p.  416.  We  can  recommend  nothing  as  a  remedy  for  the  in- 
convenience tliis  committee  sutlers  for  want  of  money,  on  account  of 


292  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

the  collection  coining  in  so  near  the  close  of  the  ecclesiastical  year,  but 
that  this  Assembly  do  now  say  to  all  contributors  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 
This  they  must  do,  and  "not  leave  the  other  imdone."     Adopted. 

469.   What  is  the  Sunday-school  ? 

1875,  p.  42.  Mesolved,  1,  That  the  Sunday-school  is  but  the  more 
formal  organization  of  catechetical  classes,  which  have  been  known  to 
the  Chiu-ch  in  all  ages,  and  should  be  so  conducted  as  to  secure  a 
thorough  drill  and  training  in  the  Sciiptm-es,  and  in  the  hymnology 
and  standards  of  the  Church. 

2.  That  the  pastor  and  elders  of  the  Church,  with  the  help  of  such 
others  as  they  may  select  and  approve,  are  the  divinely  appointed  cate- 
chists  or  teachers,  and  the  work  should  devolve  upon  them  in  all  well 
regulated  congregations. 

3.  That  the  obligation  of  family  training  by  the  parent  is  in  nowise 
modified  by  the  Sunday-school,  nor  in  any  way  transferred  to  it ;  but 
the  additional  obligation  rests  upon  the  parent  to  sustain  Church  offi- 
cers in  this  peculiar  form  of  their  work,  and  co-operate,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, in  it.  The  one  is  a  family  and  the  other  a  pastoral  function,  and 
each  is  supplemental  to  the  other. 

1880,  p.  214.  The  Sabbath-school  is  not  something  ajjart  from  the 
Chui-ch,  but  the  Church,  old  and  young,  studying  the  Bible.  Also  1881 
(p.  380). 

1870,  p.  512.  There  exists  in  the  minds  of  many  parents  a  disposi- 
tion to  evade  their  personal  obligations  to  their  children,  and  practi- 
cally to  make  the  Sabbath-school  a  sort  of  substitute  for  the  instruction 
of  the  family.  This  is  a  very  great  error,  and  one  that  cannot  be  too 
strongly  condemned.  And  it  will  be  a  sad  day  for  the  Church,  and  fa- 
tal alike  to  the  usefulness  of  the  Sabbath-school,  when  such  a  disposi- 
tion and  practice  comes  to  be  general.  The  Sabbath-school  is  simply 
an  assistant  to  the  parent  in  the  religioias  instruction  of  his  child.  It 
is  not  adapted,  and  never  was  intended,  to  do  the  parent's  work.  The 
parent,  therefore,  cannot  delegate  to  it  his  responsibilities. 

470.  Schools  must  he  under  the  control  of  the  sessions. 

1870,  p.  512.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  urge 
it  upon  all  their  churches,  wherever  it  is  practicable,  to  establish  schools 
directly  under  the  control  of  the  chm-ch  sessions. 

1872,  p.  174.  Resolved,  That  the  injunction  be  emphatically  re- 
iterated, that  Presbyteries  act  efficiently  in  bringing  all  our  chiurch 
schools  directly  under  the  control  of  the  church  session,  so  that  the 
superintendent  and  teachers  shall  hold  their  positions  only  by  their  ap- 
pointment and  consent ;  that  all  the  operations  and  interests  of  the 
school  be  under  their  guidance. 

1874,  p.  511.  Resolved,  That  the  supervision  and  control  of  sessions 
over  Sabbath-schools,  so  often  pressed  upon  the  attention  of  chui'ches, 
should  be  exercised,  even  in  the  minutest  details,  so  far  as  to  enable 
sessions  promptly  to  correct  any  evils  that  may  arise,  and  make  any 
necessary'-  changes  for  the  well-being  of  the  Sabbath-school. 

See  also  1880,  p.  214  ;  1871,  p.  27. 

1871,  p.  28.  "  The  Presbytery  of  Memphis  respectfully  desires,  and 
asks  by  this  overture,  that  the  General  Assembly  will  define  precisely 


Secs.  471-475.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  293 

■what  is  to  be  understood  by  a  Sabbath-school  being  under  the  control 
of  the  church  session,  in  order  that  the  direction  given  to  Presbyteries 
in  the  third  article,  page  512,  of  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  for 
1870,  may  be  clearly  understood  and  uniformly  interpreted." 

Answer :  This  Assembly  deems  that  the  Assembly  of  1870  intends 
that  the  chiu'ch  session  shall  select  the  superintendent,  who  shall  nomi- 
nate, with  theu'  approbation,  the  teachers,  ordain  the  methods  of  in- 
struction, and  direct  the  selection  of  books. 

471.  Presbyterianism  to  he  distinctly  taught  in  the   Sunday -schools. 

1877,  p.  437.  Resoloed,  That  in  the  conduct  of  the  Sabbath-schools, 
no  matter  what  system  of  lessons  may  be  used,  it  is  earnestly  enjoined 
upon  our  chiu'ch  sessions  to  see  to  it  that  not  only  the  great  truths  of 
the  gospel,  about  which  all  evangelical  denominations  are  agreed,  but 
also  the  distinctive  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  are  faithfully 
taught. 

1870,  p.  512 ;  1872,  p.  174,  and  elsewhere,  it  is  enjoined  that  the 
Catechisms,  Confession  of  Faith,  and  Form  of  Government  be  jnade 
prominent  objects  of  study. 

472.    Who  should  be  teachers. 

1873,  p.  323.  jResolred,  That  Presbyteries  be  recommended  to  urge 
.upon  sessions  to  secure,  as  far  as  possible,  exclusively  the  services  of 
pious  teachers. 

473.  A  standiny  committee  of  Sabbath  schools  in  the  Assembly. — An- 
nual reports  to  be  made  by  Presbyteries. 

1868,  p.  269.  Resolved,  1,  That  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to  send 
up  annually  special  reports  on  the  extent  and  character  of  the  Sabbath- 
school  work  within  their  bounds. 

2.  That  there  be  added  to  the  standing  committees  of  the  General 
Assembly  a  committee  on  Sabbath-schools. 

474.  Preshyterlal  committees. 

1870,  p.  512.  Resolved,  That  those  Presbj-teries  which  have  not 
already  done  so  be  dii'ected  to  appoint  executive  committees  to  take  the 
oversight  of  the  Sabbath-school  work  in  then-  boimds. 

1880,  p.  214.  Resolved,  That  oiu-  Presbyteries  appoint  each  a  super- 
intendent of  Sabbath-schools,  or  a  permanent  committee,  whose  special 
duty  it  shall  be  to  promote  the  Sabbath-school  work. 

475.  Presbyterial  superintendent  of  Sabbath-schools. 

1887,  p.  241.  Each  Presbytery  is  advised  to  apjjoint  a  standing 
superintendent  of  Sabbath-schools,  whose  business  it  shall  be,  by  cor- 
respondence, and,  it  may  be,  visitation,  to  ascei-tain  the  condition  of  the 
schools,  stimulate  the  diligence  of  those  in  charge  of  them,  coUect  the 
statistics,  and  with  the  assistance  of  such  committee  as  the  Presbytery 
may  appoint,  prepare  the  reports  for  the  General  Assembly. 


294  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

476.  Sabbath  schools  must  not  supersede  parental  instruction. 

1872,  p.  175.  While  the  Assembly  entertains  this  high  estimate  of 
the  Sabbath-school  as  an  agency  for  the  religious  instruction  and  train- 
ing of  oiu'  children  and  youth,  they  by  no  means  desire  to  be  misun- 
derstood as  regarding  it  as  superseding  domestic  parental  instruction 
and  training.  No  arrangement  or  means  of  religious  teaching,  pro- 
vided by  the  Chui'ch  or  otherwise,  can  reheve  parents  of  their  personal 
obligations  in  this  regard. 

477.  Parents  should  go  with  their  children  to  Sabbath-school. 

1883,  p.  55.  We  would  most  earnestly  urge  uj^on  parents  the  seri- 
ous consideration  of  theii'  duty  to  go  with  their  children  to  the  Sab- 
bath-school whenever  it  is  possible  for  them  to  do  so,  even  at  the  cost 
of  some  inconvenience  or  sacrifice  of  personal  comfort,  thus  teaching 
their  children,  both  by  their  precept  and  example,  to  love  and  profit  by 
the  privileges  here  aiforded  them. 

478.  Schools  should  embrace  adults. 

1885,  p.  408.  jResolved,  That  the  ministers  and  sessions  be  encour- 
aged to  so  enlarge  the  Sabbath-school  and  Bible-class  instruction  as  to 
embrace,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  adult  portion  of  the  congregations, 
and  train  them  for  useful  officers  and  workers  in  the  Church. 

1886,  p.  45.  Sessions  should  use  all  diligence  to  secure  the  attend- 
ance of  older  persons  on  the  Sunday-school,  that  the  school  may  be 
what  it  ought  to  be,  the  Church  studying  the  Word  of  God. 

479.  Attendance  of  children  upon  public  worship. 

1875,  p.  42.  Those  having  charge  of  the  Sunday-school  work  ought 
so  to  regulate  the  hours  of  instruction  as  to  interfere  the  least  possible 
with  the  children's  attendance  on  the  public  ordinances  of  religion  on 
the  one  hand,  and  with  family  instruction  at  home  on  the  other,  and 
both  of  which  ought  to  be  attended  to  by  all  on  every  Lord's  day. 

1882,  p.  533.  Yoiu"  committee  recommend  that  the  Assembly  call 
attention  to  the  importance  of  training  our  children  to  attend  the  regu- 
lar services  of  the  sanctuary.  We  fear  that  there  is  a  growing  idea 
that  the  Sabbath-school  is  an  all-sufficient  agency  for  the  instruction 
and  conversion  of  our  youth.  We  invoke  the  aid  of  parents  and  teachers 
in  securing  an  attendance  upon  the  public  worship  of  God  and  the 
mmistrations  of  the  sanctuary,  and  lift  up  our  solemn  remonstrance 
against  our  children  being  permitted  to  withdraw  from  them. 

480.    The  Executive  Committee  of  Publication  to  have  general  over- 
sight of  Sunday-scliool  work. 

1878,  p.  651.  Your  committee  recommend  that  the  general  over- 
sight of  all  the  Sabbath-school  interests  of  our  Chiu"ch,  and  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  work  in  all  practicable  ways,  be  laid  upon  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Publication. 

481.    The  ''Children's  Friend." 

1861,  p.  9.  On  motion  of  R.  M(;Innis,  the  question  of  establishing 
a  Sunday-school  paper  was  referred  to  the  Ct)mmittee  on  Publication. 


Sec.  482.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  295 

P.  40.  Resolved,  That  the  (executive)  committee  be  instructed  to 
publish,  as  soon  as  convenient,  a  suitable  Sabbath-school  paper. 

1863,  p.  173.  The  executive  committee  say:  "The  first  copy  of  the  Children's 
Friend  appeared  in  August,  1802.  It  began  -with  a  circulation  of  about  3,000,  which 
has  reached  10,000.  The  committee  has  been  unable  to  procure  engravings  to  em- 
bellish its  pages."  Its  circulation  rose  in  1865  to  12,000,  but  owing  to  the  state  of 
the  country,  had  fallen  to  3,000,  when  its  publication  was  discontinued,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  committee's  suspending  all  operations  after  the  burning  of  Rich- 
mond. 

1865,  p.  374.  Besolved,  That  the  committee  be  fiu^her  instructed 
to  recommence,  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  under  such  arrangements 
as  thej  may  think  best,  the  pubHcation  of  a  newspajDer  for  the  use  of 
our  children  and  Sabbath-schools. 

1866,  p.  65.  The  publication  of  the  Cliildren's  Friend  was  resumed  January  1st, 
1866,  Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D.,  temporary  editor.  By  November  of  that  year 
its  circulation  was  10, 500.  In  July  it  was  changed  from  a  monthly  to  a  semi- 
monthly paper,  ^■ithout  any  change  in  price.  The  committee  had  the  formal  co- 
operation of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday-school  Society  of  Richmond,  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  work,  which  aided  much  in  gaining  a  circulation.  This  arrange- 
ment ceased  with  the  expu'ation  of  the  year. 

1872,  p.  171.  The  application  of  the  missionaries  in  Brazil  to  have 
one  page  or  more  of  the  Cldldren's  Friend  printed  in  Portuguese,  in 
a  sufficient  number  of  copies  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  mission,  is  re- 
ferred by  the  executive  committee  to  the  General  Assembly  for  its  di- 
rection. This  committee  recommended  that  the  Assembly  authorize 
the  executive  committee  to  comply  with  this  request.     Adopted. 

1885,  p.  41G.  Overtiu'e  from  Presbytery  of  Coliunbia,  which  asks 
this  General  Assembly  "  to  instruct  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication to  have  the  Sabbath-school  lessons  printed  in  the  Children  s 
Friend,  as  heretofore  was  the  custom."     Answered  in  the  affii'mative. 

This  custom  was  authorized  by  the  Assembly  of  1870,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  in- 
troduction of  the  i)lan  of  uniform  instruction  into  our  Sabbath-schools  upon  the 
graded  system  {^.  534).  The  use  of  the  International  series  was  authorized  in  1875. 
The  publication  of  such  lessons  in  the  Cldklrcn's  Friend  was  discontinued  after  five 
or  six  years,  but  later  resumed  again  at  the  solicitation  of  many  Presbyteries. 

482.    The  ''Earnest  Worker." 

1870,  p.  584.  Resolved,  That  the  matter  of  a  Sabbath-school  journal 
for  teachers  be  referred  to  the  committee,  the  Assembly  expressing  its 
approval  of  the  idea  of  pubHshing  a  Sabbath-school  joiu'nal  whenever, 
in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  the  enterprise  can  be  successfully 
carried  out. 

The  publication  of  the  Earnest  Worker  in  the  Sabbath-school  and  in  the  Family 
was  begun  in  October,  1870,  Rev.  S.  J.  Baird,  D.  D.,  preparing  the  expositions 
and  questions  on  the  lessons. 

1871,  p.  22.  Resolved,  That  the  Earnest  WorJxer  be  sent,  without 
charge,  for  one  year  t(j  each  minister  who  is  engaged  regularly  in 
preaching  the  gospel. 

1872,  J).  171.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  advised  to  add  a 
bi'ief  abstract  of  religious  news  to  the  columns  of  the  Earnest  Worker 
for  the  benefit  of  those  whose  means  do  not  allow  them  to  tjike  any 
other  religious  paper. 

The  Gospel  Soirer  took  the  place  of  the  Earnest  Worker  for  the  year  1876.  This 
publication  was  jointly  issued  by  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  Church 


296  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  AssEivrBLY.        [Book  IV. 

in  America  and  this  committee,  under  the  plan  of  co-operation  adopted  by  the 
chief  judicatories  of  the  two  churches.  Its  circulation  was  over  8,000  copies.  But 
this  joint  periodical,  not  exactly  meeting  the  wants  of  either  Church,  it  was  deemed 
best  to  discontinue  it;  and  the  Earnest  Worker  was  revived  on  the  first  of  January, 
1877. 

1877,  p.  440.  That  tlie  Earnest  Worker  shall  hereafter  be  pub- 
lished montlily,  and  devoted  exclusively  to  the  exposition  of  Scriptui'e 
lessons  and  other  subjects  promotive  of  Sabbath-school  work. 

483.  An  infant  paper. 

1876,  p.  222.  Inasmuch  as  information  has  been  received  by  the 
standing  committee,  from  the  secretary,  that  many  persons  have  ex- 
pressed a  desire  for  the  publication  of  an  infant's  paper,  this  Assembly 
authorizes  the  executive  committee  to  issue  such  a  paper  as  soon  as  a 
strfficient  number  of  subscribers  can  be  secured  to  meet  the  expenses 
of  its  pubhcation,  and  recommends  that  specimen  cojoies  be  sent  out 
among  the  chiu'ches  and  Sunday-schools,  to  bring  it  into  notice  and  se- 
cure patronage. 

484.  Another  2:)aper. 

1885,  p.  416.  Overture  from  Presbytery  of  Eastern  Texas,  which 
asks  this  Assembly  to  "  instruct  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion to  issue  another  Sabbath-school  paper,  of  good  quality  and  low 
price."     Answered  in  the  negative. 

485.    Co-operation  vnth  the  Meformed  Church  i?r  America  in  the  pub- 
lication of  Sahhath-scJiool  journah. 

1875,  p.  43.  Since  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  last  a  plan  of  business 
operations  has  been  unanimously  agreed  upon  in  reference  to  our  own 
Pubhshing  House  and  that  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  This 
plan  will  take  effect  during  the  approaching  summer,  provided  the  pro- 
posed scheme  of  co-operation,  now  pending  before  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  and  om-  ovnx  Assembly,  shotdd  meet  the  ap- 
proval of  those  bodies.  Both  churches  will  have  the  same  Sabbath- 
school  paper,  and  into  this  new  paper  the  Children  s  Friend  is  to  be 
merged.  The  Earnest  Worker  and  the  Souyr  and  Gospel  Field  are 
to  become  one  paper,  for  circulation  among  both  denominations.  This 
scheme  carries  with  it  necessarily  the  publication  of  the  International 
series  of  Sabbath  lessons.  The  Assembly  recognizes  in  the  plan  of  co- 
operation between  our  Reformed  brethren  and  ourselves,  and  in  the 
publication  of  the  International  series,  a  happy  solution  of  the  difficul- 
ties that  have  surrounded  our  peiiodicals  for  a  year  or  two  past. 

1876,  p.  222.  This  Assembly  learns  with  gratification  that  the  plan 
of  co-operation,  touching  the  publishing  interests,  between  the  Reformed 
and  our  own  Chmch,  has  been  in  part  consummated  with  mutual  ad- 
vantage ;  and  while  recognizing  the  fact  that  it  takes  time  to  carry  out 
such  a  plan,  the  hope  is  hereby  expressed  that  measures  will  be  adopted 
for  its  fidl  consummation  as  soon  as  possible. 

See  paragraph  on  Earnest   Worker. 

486.   The  International  lessons. 

1873,  p.  309.  Overture  from  the  Presbj'tery  of  Arkansas,  asking  the 
Committee  of  Publication  to  adopt  the  International  text  for  Sabbath- 


Secs.  487,  488.) 


The  Agencies  of  the  Chitrch.  297 


school  lessons  for  1874.     The  "whole  subject  was  referred  to  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Publication,  to  act  as  they  think  best. 

1874,  p.  512.  In  response  to  overtm-es  from  the  SjTiod  of  Alabama, 
and  from  the  Presbyteries  of  South  Alabama  and  Central  Texas,  all  of 
the  same  purport,  asking-  for  the  incorporation  of  the  text  of  the  "In- 
ternational lessons,"  in  the  J^arnest  Worker,  and  in  view  of  the  refer- 
ence of  the  same  subject  to  this  Assembly,  made  by  the  Committee  of 
Publication  in  their  last  annual  report,  we  recommend  the  following 
action : 

JResolved,  That  the  Assembly  respectfully  decline  the  request  of  the 
overtm-es,  and  direct  the  Committee  of  Publication  to  pursue  the  course 
hitherto  foUowed  in  the  selection  and  exposition  of  the  Sabbath-school 
lessons. 

1875,  p.  64.  The  executive  committee  report  that  there  has  been  a 
great  falling  off  in  the  circulation  of  the  two  pajiers,  caused  chiefly  by 
the  refusal  of  the  last  Assembly  to  order  the  committee  to  adopt  the 
International  course  of  lessons. 

Wlien  the  Assembly  aud  the  Reformed  Chinch  adopted  a  phm  of  joint  publica- 
tions for  Sabbath-sciiools,  the  latter  was  iising  this  series  in  the  Gospel  Sower  and 
her  other  papers,  and  the  plan  carried  ^vith  it  the  provision  that  the  Assembly 
■would  accede  to  the  policy  of  the  Keformed  Church,  and  also  adopt  this  series  for 
her  schools.    This  was  agreed  to  (p.  43). — A. 

487.    Contributions  of  Sabbath-schools  for  benerolent  causes. 

1871,  p.  27.  Eesolved,  That  collections  be  take^  up  in  Sabbath- 
schools  for  all  the  benevolent  schemes  of  the  Church,  on  such  days  as 
are  ordered  by  the  Synods,  to  the  end  that  the  children  may  have  their 
minds  trained  to  sustain  those  great  objects  of  the  Chiirch's  aggressive 
work. 

1872,  p.  174.  Resolved,  That  the  children  of  the  Sabbath- schools  be 
encom-aged  to  contribute  to  all  the  benevolent  schemes  of  the  Chui'ch, 
in  the  order  and  at  the  times  designated  by  the  General  Assembly,  i.  e., 
on  each  alternate  month :  and  that  pastors  and  superintendents  be 
careful  to  explain  to  them,  at  the  time,  the  object  to  which  tliey  are  in- 
vited to  contribute:  so  that  they  may  be  trained  to  an  intelligent  giving 
to  these  great  objects  of  the  Church  in  her  aggressive  work. 

See  also  1870,  p.  512,  and  1877,  p.  434. 

1884,  p.  280.  Resolved,  That  Presbyteries  re(]uest  sessions,  as  far 
as  practicable,  to  present  all  the  causes  of  the  Assembly  to  those  schools 
under  their  care,  and  that  at  least  one  collecti(m  for  each  cause  be  taken 
up  during  the  year. 

1885,  p.  408.  As  ver}'  few  schools  take  up  collections  for  all  the  ob- 
jects, as  enjoined  by  last  Assembly,  and  some  object  to  the  injunction, 
we  recommend  that  the  matter  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  sessions. 

488.    I'll  ion  Sunday-schools. 

1879,  p.  59  As  many  Presbyteries  report  Union  Sabbath-sclu)ols  in 
their  bounds,  and  do  not  give  the  number  of  the  children  of  our  Church 
who  are  in  such  schot)ls,  it  is  earnestly  recommended  that  the  number 
of  such  scholars  shall  be  reportetl,  and  that,  as  soon  as  possible,  schools 
distinctively  Presbyterian  shall  be  organized,  and  such  children  gath- 
ered into  them. 


298  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

1884,  p.  230.  That  Presbj'teries  urge  vipon  sessions  the  impor- 
tance of  establishing  and  maintaining  schools  under  their  own  care, 
and  where  it  is  not  practicable  to  do  this,  to  encourage  their  elders  and 
members  to  unite  with  other  Christians  in  forming  schools  for  the  re- 
ligious instruction  of  children  and  others  who  may  desire  to  be  taught. 

1881,  p.  380.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  earnestly  discourage 
sessions  from  co-operating  with  Union  schools,  wherever  it  is  at  aU 
practicable  to  have  schools  of  their  own. 

489.  Sabbath-school  conve?itions. 

1873,  p.  323.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Presbyteries 
to  call  conventions  once  a  year  of  Sabbath-schools  within  then-  bounds, 
composed  of  persons  appointed  by  the  sessions  from  the  schools,  under 
such  regulations  as  the  Presbytery  may  deem  expedient. 

1886,  p.  45.  Presbyteries  are  earnestly  and  affectionately  recom- 
mended to  devote  one  day  during  the  fall  or  spring  meeting  of  Presby- 
terj',  as  to  them  may  seem  best,  for  holding  a  Sunday-school  convention, 
or  institute,  under  a  programme  previously  prepared  by  the  Presbyterial 
committee. 

490.   Teachers'  meetings. 

1873,  p.  323.  Resolved,  That  Presbyteries  enjoin  upon  church  ses- 
sions to  have  in  each  school  regular  and  stated  meetings  of  superin- 
tendents and  teachers  held,  and  where  practicable,  that  the  pastors  and 
sessions  meet  witfc  them  for  prayer  and  conference,  in  order  that  greater 
efficiency  may  be  secured  in  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  and  a  deeper 
sense  of  responsibility  awakened  in  looking  to  the  conversion  of  the 
children  and  youth  as  the  great  object  of  Sabbath-school  instruction. 

1886,  p.  45.  Presbyteries  are  recommended  to  vu'ge  upon  sessions  to 
see  that,  where  practicable,  teachers'  meetings  are  held  weekly  for  the 
study  of  the  lesson  ;  that  teachers'  prayer-meetings  are  held  weekly  for 
a  short  service  before  the  opening  of  the  school,  and  that  the  Bible 
readings  accompanying  the  lessons  are  used  at  family  worship. 

Injimction  repeated,  1874,  p.  512  :  1880,  p.  214. 

491.  Libraries. 

1864,  p.  265.  Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed 
to  make  early  preparation  for  supplying  our  Sabbath-school  hbraries 
with  suitable  books  for  children,  and  thus  to  meet  a  want  which  begins 
already  to  be  felt,  and  which  will  become  urgent  as  soon  as  the  country 
is  allowed  to  enjoy  the  blessings  and  the  repose  of  peace. 

492.  Sunday-school  Hymn  Book. 

1870,  p.  534.  Resolved,  That  the  preparation  and  publication  of  a 
Sabbath-school  Hymn  Book  be  referred  to  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Publication. 

The  executive  committee  having  I'eported  (1871,  p.  66)  the  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  bringing  out  such  a  book,  the  Assembly  resolved  (p.  22) 
that  the  Sunday-school  Hymn  Book  be  jiublished  as  soon  as  the  means 
and  other  obligations  of  the  committee  will  permit. 

1872,  p.  171.     Resolved,  That  attention  be  also  called  to  the  Sab- 


Secs.  493-496.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  299 

bath-school  H^-mn  Book  and  Tune  Book,  issued  under  the  title  of  "The 
Voice  of  Praise,"  the  preparation  of  which  was  undertaken  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  Assembh',  and  the  jjublication  ordered  by  the  Assembly 
of  1871,  the  use  of  which  in  our  Sabbath-schools  will  train  our  children 
to  take  part  in  the  fellowship  of  song  as  conducted  in  the  sanctuary. 

1873,  p.  369.  The  "Voice  of  Praise  "  has  been  welcomed  by  hundreds  of  min- 
isters and  Sabbath-school  teachers,  and  by  thousands  of  scholars ;  and  the  commit- 
tee has  reason  to  con^atulate  iiself  on  havin<?  succeeded  in  preparing  and  issuing 
a  book  that  meets  the  exact  washes  of  our  Sabbath-schools.  But  a  single  objection 
has  ever  been  heard  to  the  book,  coming  from  one  of  our  ministers,  who  refleicted  the 
sentiments  of  his  school.  The  objection  was,  that  it  had  too  manj-  church  tunes  in  it. 
The  committee  has  found  that,  throughout  the  Church,  this  has  been  deemed  one 
of  its  chief  excellences.  Issued  from  the  press  during  the  year,  12,000  copies  of 
the  "  Voice  of  Praise  "  and  25,U00  Hymns  to  "  Voice  of  Praise." 

See  section  on  ' '  Hj^mn-Book  for  Congregational  Worship  "  for  resolution  of 
1865,  p.  374,  in  reference  to  suitable  hymns  for  Sabbath-schools. — A. 

493.  Pastors  should  preach  to  the  children. 

1871,  p.  27.  Resolved,  That  all  the  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to 
\irge  greater  fidelity  upon  the  part  of  pastors  to  preach  to  the  children 
of  their  respective  charges. 

•494.  3Iission  schools. 

18G8,  p.  2G9.  Resolved^  That  our  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to  see 
that  mission  schools,  under  the  care  of  churches,  be  estabhshed  in  all 
cases  when  it  is  practicable.     Eei)eated,  1871  (p.  27). 

495.   Sensational  methods  and  literature. 

1875,  p.  42.  We  note  with  pleasure  the  re-action  setting  in  against 
the  false  theories  and  methods  so  prevalent  in  Sunday-school  work; 
and  we  would  record  our  solemn  testimony  against  all  that  is  purely 
sentimental,  sensational,  or  formalistic,  as  well  in  the  music  and  htera- 
ture,  as  in  those  devices  which  are  invented  merely  to  popularize  the 
Sunday-school  work.  The  child,  once  .intoxicated  with  these  things, 
will  in  matm'er  life  need  to  drink  j'et  deeper  draughts  at  the  same  foun- 
tain. We  are  firmly  of  the  oj^inion  that  lidehty  and  consecration  on 
the  pari  of  pastors  and  sessions  wiU,  in  the  end,  secure  a  far  higher 
success  than  can  be  hoped  for  by  the  most  enthtisiastic  use  of  mixed 
methods  and  unconsecrated  appliances.  ■ 

1882,  p.  550.  We  recommend  the  adoption  and  use  of  the  Earnest 
M^orker,  Chlldrens  Friend,  and  Lfsson  Quarterbj  in  all  our  Sunday- 
schools  and  families,  in  preference  to  those  cheap,  unauthorized,  and 
unreliable  Sunday-school  pubhcations  which  are  so  often  and  pei'sist- 
ently  thrust  upon  us.  • 

1884,  p.  230.  We  disapprove  and  discourage  the  use  of  the  pubhca- 
tions of  unknown  and  irresjionsible  parties. 

1880,  p.  215.  Presbyteries  should  instruct  sessions  to  use  our  own 
standards  and  literature,  and  thus  shut  out  so-called  helps  whose  doc- 
trines ai"e  often  fsdse,  and  for  which  no  one  is  responsible. 

496.   Scholars  should  use  their  Bibles. 
1886,  p.  46.     The  Assembly  would  suggest  that  superintendents  and 


300  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

teachei's  shall  insist  upon  the  scholars  using  their  Bibles  in  the  pre- 
paration of  the  lesson,  and  bringing  them  to  the  class  (see  1884,  p. 
230). 

497.  What  should  be  embodied  in  a  SabbatJt -school  report. 

1869,  p.  379.  The  items  to  be  reported  are  recommended  to  be  the 
number  of  schools,  teachers,  scholars,  the  amount  of  contributions  and 
for  what  purpose,  the  number  added  to  the  Church  from  the  Sabbath- 
schools,  and  their  plans  of  working. 

1871,  p.  27.  Jiesolved,  That  the  following  questions  be  added  to 
the  blanks  furnished  churches  and  Presbyteries  to  make  their  reports, 
for  the  purpose  of  gathering  more  information  about  the  management 
and  conduct  of  the  schools : 

(a)  Is  yovir  school  under  the  supervision  and  control  of  the  pastor  and 
session  ? 

{b)  Do  yoiu'  pastor  and  elders  attend  upon  the  services  of  the  Sab- 
bath-schoor?  and  does  your  pastor  preach  regularly  to  the  children  of 
the  Sabbath-school? 

(c)  Are  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechism,  and  Form  of  Church 
Government,  taught  in  every  school? 

(c?)  Are  the  Childre7is  Friend  and  JSJarnest  Worker  taken  in  all  your 
schools  ? 

1887,  p.  242.  Question  {b)  was  so  changed  as  to  read:  "Does  your 
pastor  preach  frequently  to  the  children  ? " 

498.   The  Assembly  to  devote  an  evening  to  the  Sunday-school  cause. 

1885,  p.  408.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  be  requested  to  take 
special  order  to  devote  one  night  of  this  session  to  this  important  work, 
and  henceforth  put  it  on  a  level  in  this  respect  with  the  other  great  en- 
terprises of  the  Church,  and  that  next  Wednesday  night  be  fixed  for 
this  purpose. 

499.  Adult  scJiolars  to  be  reported. 

1880,  p.  215.  The  Presbytery  of  Enoree  hereby  overtures  the  General 
Assembly,  soon  to  convene  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  that  inasmuch  as  there 
are  in  our  Sunday-schools  many  adult  scholars,  that  the  word  "  scholars  " 
be  substituted  for  "children"  in  the  column  of  statistics  headed  "No. 
of  children  in  Sunday-schools  and  Bible  classes."     Granted. 

500.  /Staiday-schools  for  colored  people.    ' 

1873,  p.  323.  Jiesolved,  That  Presbyteries  be  recommended  to  have 
estabhshed,  under  the  direct  supervision  of  the  churches,  Simday-schools 
for  the  colored  population ;  in  all  instances  to  be  conducted  by  superin- 
tendents appointed  by  the  session. 

See  1874,  p.  512  ;  1877,  p.  434. 

1876,  p.  237.  It  is  required  that  separate  reports  of  all  such  schools 
be  sent  up  for  information  to  the  General  Assembly. 


Secs.  501-503.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chirch.  301 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R   Y  I. 

GENERAL  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  CONDUCT  OF  THE  AS- 
SEMBLY'S SCHEMES  OF  BENEVOLENCE  AND 
GUIDANCE  OF  HER  AGENCIES. 

501.    The  executive  committees  to  he  all  constituted  alike. 

1861,  p.  14.  .Resolved,  That  the  principles  of  organization  involved 
in  the  establishment  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions 
be  considered  as  applying  to  all  the  executive  committees  to  be  ap- 
pointed. 

502.  A  single  treasurer  for  all  the  funds  of  the  Assembly. 

1861,  jD.  13.  Mesolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Finance  be  instructed 
to  enquii'e  into  the  expediency  of  having  but  one  treasurer,  by  whom 
all  the  funds  imder  the  control  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  be  re- 
ceived and  disbursed. 

P.  39.  T.  C.  Perriu,  from  the  Committee  on  Finance,  asked  that  said 
committee  be  discharged  from  the  duty  of  considering  a  resolution  re- 
ferred to  them,  contemplating  the  appointment  of  a  single  treasurer 
for  the  entire  Chm-ch,  seeing  that  that  matter  has  been  covered  by  the 
action  of  this  Assembly  in  electing  separate  treasurers  for  the  executive 
committees.     Adopted. 

503.  Mode  of  electing  the  executive  committees. 

1861,  p.  19.  The  Assembly  ordered  that  the  chairmen  of  the  Stand- 
ing Committees  on  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions,  Education,  PubH- 
cation.  Church  Extension,  and  Systematic  Benevolence,  constitute  a 
committee  to  prepare  and  report  to  the  Assembly  a  scheme  for  regu- 
lating the  mode  of  conducting  the  election  of  the  executive  committees. 

On  the  report  of  that  committee  the  following  was  adopted  and  made 
a  standing  rule  of  the  Assembly: 

1.  The  Assembly's  standing  committees  shall,  on  making  their  re- 
spective reports,  present  nominations  for  the  members  and  officers  of 
their  respective  executive  committees  for  the  ensuing  year. 

2.  The  presentation  of  these  respective  nominations  shall  not  preclude 
any  additional  nominations  which  any  member  of  the  Assembly  may 
choose  to  make. 

3.  The  election  of  said  committees  shall  not  take  place  until  at  least 
one  day  after  the  nominations  are  made. 

4.  In  Jill  cases  a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  Assembly  shall  be  ne- 
cessary to  an  election  (p.  22). 

Rule  3  docs  not  appear  to  haA'e  been  observed  any  longer  than  1865.  Without 
being  formally  repealed,  it  has  fallen  into  disuse  since  the  present  rules  for  the 
guidance  of  the  Assembly  were  adopted.— A. 


302  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

504.    Weekly  Sabbath  collections. 

1863,  p.  135.  Without  dictating  any  particular  mode  for  coUecting 
the  charities  of  the  Church,  the  committee  would  nevertheless  respect- 
fully recommend,  in  all  cases  where  it  is  practicable,  the  adoption  of 
the  system  of  weekly  Sabbath  collections ;  belie^dng  that  it  best  accords 
with  the  order  of  the  apostle,  "Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let  every 
one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store  as  God  has  prospered  him,"  and  that  it 
is  the  means  of  securing  the  largest  possible  amount  of  funds  for  the 
benevolent  operations  of  the  Church. 

This  recommendation  was  renewed  by  the  Assemblies  of  1866,  1867, 
1870,  and  1872,  and  the  practice  lu-ged  upon  the  churches,  to  make 
stated  giving  a  part  of  worship,  and  so  a  means  of  elevating  the  general 
standard  of  piety. 

505.  Presbyteries  to  inquire  as  to  contributions   by  their  cliurclies  to 
our  stated  objects  of  benevolence. 

1866,  p.  35.  Resolved,  That  our  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  make 
it  a  standing  rule  to  inquire,  at  their  spring  meetings,  of  all  their  min- 
isters and  congregations,  if  they  have  had  contril:)utions  taken  up  with- 
in a  year  for  all  our  stated  objects  of  benevolence,  and  to  take  such 
measures  as  will  secure  such  contributions. 

506.  Dates  for  the  various  collections. 

1866,  p.  38.  Mesolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  ovu-  churches  to 
take  up  annual  collections  for  Sustentation,  Publication,  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, and  Education,  in  accordance  with  the  following  plan : 

For  Sustentation :  On  the  first  Sabbath  in  January. 

For  Pubhcation :  On  the  first  Sabbath  in  March. 

For  Foreign  Missions :  On  the  first  Sabbath  in  May. 

For  Education:  On  the  first  Sabbath  in  November. 

In  cases  where  it  is  highly  inconvenient  to  take  up  collections  on  these 
days,  they  shall  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  possible  thereafter. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Assembly's  secretaries  to  bring  tjiese  ob- 
jects before  the  churches  at  the  times  specified,  in  such  way  as  may  be 
most  practicable. 

1871,  p.  36.  First  Sabbath  in  April  was  set  apart  for  collection  for 
Evangelistic  fund. 

1872,  p.  168.  Date  for  collection  for  Evangelistic  fund  changed  to 
first  Sabbath  in  September,  or  as  near  thereto  as  convenient. 

1874,  p.  522.  The  Assembly  declined  to  change  the  times  heretofore 
designated  for  collections. 

507.  Presbyteries  are  to  make  annual  reports  on.  Systematic  Benevolence. 

1862,  p.  12.  The  Assembly  recognized  as  still  in  force,  a  paper 
adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1854,  testifying  to  the  Christian  obligation 
of  the  regular  systematic  contributions  to  the  various  objects  of  Chris- 
tian benevolence,  and  to  the  importance  of  instituting  some  well  ordered 
plan  by  which  these  objects  should  be  brought  before  the  people,  and 
an  opportvmity  given  them  to  make  such  ctnitributioiis.  Every  Presby- 
tery is  directed  annually,  at  its  sessions  immediately  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  Assemljly,  to  make  inquiry  as  to  the  performance  of  these 


Secs.  508-511.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chuhch.  303 

duties  in  its  general  character,  and  to  report  to  the  Assembly  the  re- 
sults of  that  inquiry.  These  reports  are  to  be  referred  to  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Systematic  Benevolence,  by  whom  a  general  view  of  the 
facts  for  exhibition  is  to  be  presented  to  the  Assembly,  and  through 
that  body  to  the  Chm-ch  at  large,  with  the  recommendation  of  such 
fiu'ther  action  as  may  seem  to  be  required. 

508.  Duty  of  the  Standing  Committee  o?i  Systematic  Benevolence. 

18G4,  p.  2G8.  The  duty  specially  incumbent  upon  this  committee  is 
to  give  a  condensed  summary  of  the  reports  received  from  the  several 
PreslDyteries,  so  that  the  General  Assembly'  may  be  fully  informed  as 
to  the  condition  of  the  churches  with  respect  to  the  grace  of  giving,  and 
that  such  action  may  be  taken  as  seems  to  be  demanded  and  wisdom 
may  direct  for  attaining  the  great  end  for  which  the  General  Assem- 
bly has  been  laboring  for  many  years. 

509.    Opportunity  to  be  afforded  every  member  to  give. 

1865,  p.  368.  The  committee  recommend  that  it  be  enjoined  upon 
the  church  sessions  to  adopt  some  plan  by  which  every  member  of  their 
congregations  may  have  an  opportunity  and  be  appealed  to,  whether 
poor  or  rich,  young  or  old,  even  in  these  times  of  trial,  to  con- 
tribute something  to  the  various  objects  of  benevolence  which  demand 
their  benefactions;  that  the  sessions  report  to  the  Presbyteries,  and 
htat  the  Presbyteries  report  to  the  Assembly,  the  plans  they  have 
adopted,  and  their  results.     Adopted. 

See  also  Minutes  for  18G7,  1871,  and  1884. 

1871,  p.  20.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  earnestly  recommend 
aU  their  respective  pastors,  stated  supphes,  and  missionaries,  to  give 
frequent  instructions  to  their  respective  churches  as  to  theii*  duty  in  this 
matter,  which  is  not  only  of  prime  importance  to  the  progress,  but 
even  indispensable  to  the  continued  life  and  permanent  existence  of  the 
Chm'ch. 

510.  Presbyterial  supplies  for  vacant  churches  shoidd  take  up  collec- 

tions for  the  schtnies  of  the  Assembly. 

1868,  p.  279.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  are  hereby  enjoined 
to  require  of  their  ministers  sent  as  occasional  supplies  to  vacant  con- 
gregations, to  take  up  collections  for  the  schemes  of  the  Assembly  dur- 
ing such  visits  of  said  supphes  to  said  congregations.  (A  similar  reso- 
lution adopted  1875,  p.  38,  and  1876,  p.  225.  See  resolution  6  of  the 
next  section.) 

511.  Causes  that  make  our  collections  small,  and  methods  adopted  to 

make  them  larger. 

1875,  p.  39.  The  Committee  on  S^-stematic  Benevolence  says,  and 
the  Assembly  endorses,  the  following:  After  a  full  consideration,  and 
availing  ourselves  freely  of  suggestions  from  able  brethren,  we  are  con- 
vinced that,  besides  the  native  selfishness  of  fallen  human  natm'e,  the 
chief  causes  which  interfere  with  our  more  complete  success  are  two, 
viz. :  (1,)  The  failure  of  many  ministers  to  expound  with  sufficient  ful- 
ness and  freedom  the  scriptural  doctrine  of  worshipping  God  with  owr 


304  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

substance;  and  (2,)  The  neglect  of  many  church  sessions  of  their 
bounden  duty  to  afford  to  the  people,  as  they  are  solemnly  enjoined  to 
do,  the  opportunity  for  making  such  contributions  as  they  may  choose 
to  the  six  objects  proposed  by  the  Assembly. 

With  regard  to  the  first  of  these  hindrances,  it  is  pertinent  to  remark 
that,  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  above  all  other  agencies,  the  Lord 
Jesus  looks  for  the  enlightenment  of  his  Church,  and  her  growth  in  this 
as  in  all  other  graces;  and  if  the  trumpet  gives  an  imcertain  sound, 
who  is  prepared  for  the  battle  ?  When  the  believer's  mind  and  con- 
science are  tenderly  but  fully  enlightened,  he  will  respond  to  the  Mas- 
ter's voice.  Giving  to  Christ  a  thank-offering  will  become  a  part  of  his 
worship,  as  sjDontaneous  and  delightful  as  praj^er  or  praise.  Ignorance 
of  God's  Word  lies  at  the  root  of  ilhberality  in  truly  pious  persons,  and 
gives  occasion  for  the  injudicious  appeals  so  often  made  to  bUnd  feel- 
ing— aj)j)eals  which  soon  become  insufferably  irksome  and  inoperative. 
Let  God's  messengers  faithfully  declare  Christ's  law  as  it  is  revealed 
in  the  Scriptures,  and  they  shall  witness  the  fvilfilment  of  his  promise, 
"  My  word  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my  mouth  shall  not  return  unto  me 
void,  but  it  shall  accomphsh  that  whereunto  I  sent  it." 

Touching  the  second  cause  of  evil  mentioned,  the  committee  are  fully 
persuaded  that  the  time  has  come  to  assert  the  binding  force  upon  the 
lower  courts  of  the  Assembly's  orders  to  take  up  collections  for  specified 
purposes.  There  is  painful  evidence  of  wide- spread  misapprehension 
as  to  this  point,  so  \'ital  to  the  success  of  our  schemes  of  church  work. 
If  it  be  true  that  the  solemn  injunctions  of  the  Assembly — that  church 
sessions  afford  the  opportunity,  at  or  near  to  certain  times,  for  the  peo- 
ple to  make  their  offerings  for  specified  objects — be  merely  of  the  na- 
ture of  advice,  which  may,  without  sinful  disobedience  to  lawful  author- 
ity, be  set  aside,  then  is  it  difficult  to  see  wherein  our  system  of  Pres- 
bytery differs  from  Congregational  independency  and  voluntaryism. 
If  some  practical  measure  can  be  devised  for  creating  and  deepening 
the  conviction  in  the  consciences  of  pastors  and  elders  that  their  ordi- 
nation vows  obligate  them  to  comply  with  the  lawful  injunctions  of  this 
venerable  court  when  it  considers  and  decides  upon  the  Lord's  ap- 
pointed work,  as  the  recognized  bond  of  churches  under  a  Divine  con- 
stitution, great  advance  shall  be  made  toward  the  solution  of  oiu*  diffi- 
culties. "The  jurisdiction  proposed  is  solely  over  ministers  and  ses- 
sions, touching  the  matter  of  presenting  these  beneficent  objects  to  their 
people,  and  affording  them  an  opportunity  to  give."  ....  It  does  not 
trench,  in  the  shghtest  degree,  upon  the  individual  Chi'istian's  private 
judgment  and  liberty  in  regard  to  giving.  The  opportunity  is  secured 
to  him  if  he  chooses  to  give,  and  this  is  the  whole  end  contemplated  in 
the  enactment. 

As  the  best  means  of  remedying  these  defects,  we  propose  the  fol- 
lowing action  to  the  Assembly  for  its  adoption  : 

1.  The  Assembly  solemnly  urges  upon  all  pastors  and  other  minis- 
ters their  obligation  to  expound  fully  to  the  people  the  duty  and  privi- 
lege of  giving  to  Christ  as  an  essential  i^art  of  acceptable  worship. 

2.  The  Assembly  urges  upon  all  its  constituent  Presbyteries  to  in- 
clude this  branch  of  ministerial  duty  in  their  stated  conferences  upon 
the  state  of  religion  in  their  bounds. 

3.  The  Assembly  hereby  solemnly  enjoins  the  Presbyteries  to  require 
of  chirrch  sessions,  in  case  of  faihu'e  to  take  up  any  one  of  the  collec- 
tions ordered,  to  rejjort  in  writing  the  reason  thereof,  upon  the  validity 


Sec.  oil. J  The  Agencies  of  the  Chukch.  305 

of  which  the  Presbyters-  shall  pass  judgment,  approving  or  disapprov- 
ing, as  the  ease  may  be.  And  the  Presbj-teries  shall  state  upon  the 
face  of  their  annual  reports  on  Systematic  Beneficence  in  regard  to 
their  compliance  with  this  injunction. 

4.  It  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Systematic 
Beneficence  of  each  General  Assembly  to  ascertain  from  the  Presbyte- 
rial  reports  on  this  subject  how  far  the  above  injmictions  have  been 
comphed  with,  and  to  report  to  the  Assembly  what  Presbyteries  (if 
any)  have  failed  to  comply  with  them.  It  is  also  hereby  made  the  duty 
of  the  stated  clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  enter  upon  the  docket 
the  duties  herein  imposed  upon  the  said  committee,  as  an  item  of  busi- 
ness, so  that  the  attention  of  the  committee  may  be  expressly  called 
thereto. 

5.  In  case  any  Presbytery  fails  to  report  on  the  subject  of  Syste- 
matic Beneficence,  or  to  report  in  due  and  proper  foim,  as  ordered  by 
the  Assembly,  or  to  report  in  regard  to  either  of  the  requirements  made 
in  the  above  injiniction :  or  if  the  report  in  the  case  of  any  Presbyteiy 
shows  that  it  has  not  complied  with  the  injunction  first  named,  in  sec- 
tion 3  above,  viz. :  in  regard  to  the  requirement  from  church  sessions 
of  the  reasons  for  their  failure  in  any  case  to  give  the  people  an  oppor- 
tunit}-  to  contribute — the  moderator  of  the  Assembly  shall  thereupon 
appoint  some  member  of  said  Presbytery  as  the  Assembly's  commis- 
sioner thereto,  to  biing  the  failure  to  the  attention  of  the  Presbyters'. 
And  the  Presbytery  shaU  send  up  to  the  next  Assembly,  along  with  its 
report  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  a  statement  of  the  reasons  for  said 
failure. 

6.  In  order  the  more  surely  to  obtain  collections  from  vacant  congre- 
gations (without,  however,  at  all  lessening  the  separate  and  full  respon- 
sibiHty  of  the  sessions  thereof  in  the  premises,  and  in  the  absence  of 
supplies),  the  Presbj-teries  are  hereby  enjuined  to  require  supphes  sent 
to  such  vacant  congregations  to  attend  to  this  business,  and  in  case  of 
failure  to  do  so,  to  render  a  reason  therefor. 

1876,  p.  224.  By  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon,  and 
from  remarks  made  by  other  Presbyteries,  we  find  strong  exception 
taken  to  the  fifth  injunction  of  the  report  adopted  by  the  last  Assem- 
bly.    To  the  overture  we  respectfully  make  answer-^ 

1st,  Tliat  in  its  natiu'e  the  section  referred  to  is  necessarily  inopera- 
tive, and  as  such  will  only  sene  to  weaken  the  authority  of  this  vener- 
able coui't. 

2nd,  That  the  powers  therein  granted  to  the  moderator,  as  to  the 
"appointment  of  a  commissioner,"  etc.,  are  excessive,  and  in  interfer- 
ence with  the  powers  delegated  to  the  Presbyteries  by  our  Form  of 
Government.     (See  Section  VIII.,  page  170,  Fonn  of  Government.) 

We  woiold  therefore  recommend  that  the  provisions  of  section  5  of 
the  report  of  last  year's  committee  be  stricken  out.  In  order  to  obvi- 
ate other  difficulties  which  trouble  our  brethren  upon  the  points  of  the 
report  adopted  as  the  injimctions  of  the  Assembly  to  the  Presbyteries 
last  year,  we  would  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  that  report : 

Here  follow  resolutions,  tlic  same  ns  adopted  above  in  1875,  with  the  omission  of 
the  fifth,  and  a  recommendation  that  supplies  sent  to  vacant  churches  should  solicit 
collections  from  the  same. — A. 

1877,  p.  421.     Overture  from   Pev.  J.  AV.  KeiT  and  others  of  the 


306  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Presbytery  of  Ouachita,  complaining  of  the  action  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  1875,  pages  40  and.  41,  as  extra-constitutional  and  practically, 
in  some  hands,  offensive  and  ahenating. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  recommend  this  reply :  The 
action  complained  of  evidently  arises  from  a  misapprehension  of  the 
pm'pose  of  said  action,  which  simply  provides  for  inquiring  of  church 
coiu'ts  respecting  their  diligence  in  affording  the  people  opportunities 
for  contributing  to  our  schemes  of  benevolence.     Adopted. 

1883,  p.  60.  Mesolved,  That  all  the  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to  pi'e- 
pare  and  send  up  to  the  General  Assembh'  full  reports  on  this  subject, 
and  to  carry  out  the  order  of  the  Assembly  in  calling  on  the  delinquent 
church  sessions  to  give  reasons  yvhy  collections  have  not  in  any  case  been 
taken  up. 

1882,  p.  547.  Mesolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  call 
the  attention  of  pastors  to  the  great  principle  of  systematic  giving  as 
an  act  of  worship,  and  enjoin  upon  them  to  preach  to  their  congrega- 
tions on  that  subject  at  least  once  a  year. 

That  the  Assembly  enjoin  upon  Presbyteries  to  urge  the  pastors  to 
hold  montlily  meetings  iu  the  interest  of  Missions  in  their  several 
churches,  giving  the  people  such  information  touching  the  progress  of 
the  work  in  this  and  other  lands,  and  bringing  to  bear  upon  them  such 
truths  of  God's  AVord  as  may  tend  to  intensify  their  zeal  for  the  evan- 
gehzation  of  the  world,  and  that  they  encourage  large  special  gifts  from 
those  upon  whom  God  has  bestowed  special  blessings. 

512.  Preshyterial  Cotnmittees  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

1873,  p.  332.  Resolved,  That  the  Pi-esbyteries  be  enjoined  to  ap- 
point an  Executive  Committee  on  Systematic  Benevolence,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  correspond  with  the  sessions  of  vacant  churches  in  the  in- 
tervals of  meetings  of  Presbytery,  calliug  their  attention  to  the  time 
and  objects  of  the  various  collections,  and  urging  them  to  see  to 
it  that  the  members  of  their  respective  churches  be  kept  informed  of 
the  various  operations  of  oiu*  Church,  and  have  an  opportunity  afforded 
them  of  contributing  to  each  one  of  her  six  objects,  either  by  public 
collection  or  by  personal  apiDhcation,  and,  if  possible,  within  the  two 
months  allotted  to  each  of  these  objects. 

513.  Items  not  called  for  in  reports  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

1883,  p.  60.  Ordered  by  the  Assembly:  That  the  blank  forms  on 
Systematic  Beneficence  be  corrected  by  leaving  out  the  items,  Presbyte- 
rial,  Pastors'  Salaries,  and  Congregational. 

514.  Assembly  refuses  to  require  printed  copies  of  the  reports  of  the 
executive  conunittees  to  be  submitted  to  it. 

1871,  p.  10.  Resolved,  That  the  repoi'ts  of  the  secretaries  and  treas- 
urers of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Education,  of  Foreign  Missions, 
of  Publication,  and  (jf  Sustentation,  be  printed  and  laid  before  the  As- 
sembly, so  that  time  be  allowed  each  member  of  the  Assembly  to  ex- 
amine the  same  before  he  is  called  upon  to  vote,  in  order  that  he  may 
know  what  he  end(jrses  by  his  vote. 

This  resolution  was  rejected. 


Secs.  515-517.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chubch.  307 

515.  Publishing  the  reports  of  executive  r-ommittees. 

The  Assembly  was  overtiu-ed  (1870,  p.  505)  to  discontinue  the  separate 
publication  of  the  reports  of  the  executive  committees,  and  in  lieu 
thereof  to  j^ublish  these  reports,  or  extracts  thereof,  in  the  Minutes  of 
the  Assembly,  and  that  these  Minutes  be  gratuitously^  distributed  to 
pastors  and  sessions,  the  executive  committees  bearing  a  proportion  of 
the  expense.  Matter  referred  to  the  executive  committees.  This  same 
proposition,  renewed  1872  (p.  158),  was  declined  by  the  Assembly. 

516.  Itemized  rejyorts  from  the  treasurers  of  the  various  Church  funds. 

1871,  p.  19.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  North  Mississippi, 
jjraying  the  Assembly  to  require  of  all  the  treasurers  of  chtu'ch  funds 
"a  specific,  itemized  report  of  all  receipts  from  all  and  everj'  source, 
and  also  of  all  disbursements  in  the  same  specific  itemized  manner,  and 
that  the  same  be  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly." 

Answer:  The  detailed  accounts  of  all  the  executive  committees  are 
annually  exhibited  to  the  Assembly,  and  by  its  auditing  committees  ex- 
amined and  settled.  The  Assembly  regards  this  measiu'e  as  substan- 
tially securing  the  faithful  disbursements  of  the  fluids. 

517.   Location  of  the  committees. 

1871,  p.  25.  The  Presbyteiy  of  Memphis,  believing  that  the  true  in- 
terests of  oiu*  whole  Zion  would  be  greatly  promoted  by  the  retui'ning 
of  the  Committees  of  Education  and  Sustentation  to  the  places  where 
they  were  first  located,  and  from  which  the  war  necessitated  their  removal, 
would  hereby  overture  the  General  Assembly  to  make  the  said  change, 
and  remove  the  Committee  of  Education  to  Memphis,  and  the  Committee 
of  Sustentation  to  New  Orleans. 

liepli/:  There  appears  no  evidence  that  the  above  changes  are  re- 
quired by  the  general  sentiment  of  the  churches  and  Presb^-teries ; 
and  the  Assembly  therefore  respectfully  declines  action  at  this  time. 

1872,  p.  1()9.  Overture  from  the  S^^nod  of  Memphis,  requesting  the 
return  of  the  Committees  of  Publication  and  Education  to  their  origi- 
nal locations ;  overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  Eed  River  to  the  same  effect : 
the  memorial  of  the  Presbytery  of  Chickasaw  touchuig  the  Committee 
of  Education ;  overture  of  the  Presbytery  of  Montgomery  of  the  same 
import :  and  the  resolution  of  the  Presbytery  of  Western  District,  j^ro- 
testin^  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis  asking  for  the  re- 
moval. 

Answer :  liesolred,  That  no  change  be  made  for  the  present,  either 
as  to  the  division  or  removal  of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Publica- 
tion and  P]ducation. 

1872,  p.  1()5.  The  Committees  of  Sustentation  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, in  joint  session,  have  carefully  considered  the  cpiestions  committed 
to  them  by  the  General  Assembly  touching  the  division  and  removal  of 
the  Committees  of  Sustentation  and  Foreign  INlissions,  and  respectfully 
report  to  the  General  Assembly  for  their  adoption  the  following  resolu- 
tion, viz.  : 

liesoloed,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  it  is  inexpedient  to 
make  any  change  at  present  in  the  location  or  constitution  of  these 
committees. 


308  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

518.    Consolidating  the  executive  committees. 

1863,  p.  146.  jResolved,  1,  That  the  Executive  Committees  of  Educa- 
tion and  Publication  shall  consist  of  the  same  persons,  under  one  sec- 
retaiy,  and  shall  be  empowered  to  take  in  charge  the  work  hitherto 
entrusted  to  these  two  committees ;  and  that  the  Executive  Committees 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  shaU  be  composed  of  the  same  per- 
sons, under  one  and  the  same  secretar}^,  and  that  the  whole  work  of 
Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  be  committed  to  their  care. 

Hesolved,  2,  That  the  business,  records,  and  funds  of  the  four  execu- 
tive committees  shall  be  Icept  distinct  from  each  other,  notwithstanding 
this  arrangement,  and  that  the  arrangement  now  adopted  continue  in 
force  till  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly. 

1880,  p.  215.  Overture  from  SjTiod  of  North  Carolina,  asking  for  the 
consolidation  of  the  Committees  of  Publication  and  Education.  Re- 
ferred to  the  next  General  Assembly,  in  connection  with  the  subject 
of  Reform  and  Retrenchment.  Similar  action  taken  1879,  (p.  35,)  on 
overtures  from  Concord  and  Ebenezer  Presb}'teries. 

1885,  p.  400.  Overture  from  Presbytery  of  Columbia,  requesting 
the  Assembly  to  reduce  the  expense  of  disbursing  the  amounts  of 
money  raised  for  the  benevolent  work  of  the  Church  by  consolidating 
the  secretaryships,  and  curtailing  aU  expenditui-es,  so  "as  to  bring  the 
management  of  the  various  causes  to  a  business  basis. 

A?isiver :  The  Assembly  declines  to  grant  the  request  which  the  over 
ture  contains. 

1870,  p.  535.  Overture  from  Presbytery  of  Noi-th  Mississippi  rela- 
tive to  the  separation  of  the  Executive  Committees  of  Publication  and 
Education,  and  the  removal  of  the  Education  Committee  to  another 
point  than  Richmond. 

Answei- :  There  seems  to  be  no  imperative  or  general  call  for  such 
change,  and  therefore  it  is  at  present  inexpedient  to  make  the  change 
proposed.     (See  also  Sec.  522  of  this  volume.) 

519.  A2oportionm,ent  for  the  causes  of  Systematic  Benevolence. 

1873,  p.  335.  In  view  of  the  necessity  for  greatty  increased  contri- 
butions to  sustain  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  Church,  and  also  of 
the  fact  that  from  so  large  a  portion  of  our  people  there  is  a  lamentable 
failure  of  co-operation  in  this  work: 

JResolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  careful  con- 
sideration this  whole  subject,  and  especially  the  practicability  and  effi- 
ciency of  some  plan  by  which  the  funds  to  be  raised  for  the  purpose 
above  referred  to  maj^  be  appt)rtioned  among  the  Presbyteries,  and 
through  them  among  the  churches.  Said  committee  shaU  report  to 
the  next  General  Assembly.     Adopted. 

This  committee  was  appointed,  to  ctmsist  of  Revs.  WiUiam  Brown, 
D.  D.,  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  and  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D. 

1874,  p.  487.  This  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  ordered  to 
be  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries  for  theii'  consideration,  with  a  request 
that  an  expression  of  their  opinion  on  the  plan  proposed  may  be  sent 
up  to  the  next  Assembly. 

This  report  is  printed  in  the  Api:)endix,  p.  584.  After  cliscussiuj^  the  necessity  for 
greatly  increased  contributions  to  sustain  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  Church, 
and  the  failure  of  co-operation  in  this  work  from  so  large  a  ijortion  of  our  people. 


Secs.  520-522.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  309 

as  being  probably  the  chief  cause  for  this  smallness  of  results,  the  report  proceeds 
to  elaborate  a  plan  designed  to  remedj'  this  state  of  affairs.  This  plan  was,  that  the 
funds  to  be  raised  for  the  purposes  of  Systematic  Benevolence  be  apportioned  among 
the  Presbyteries,  and  through  them  among  the  churches.  The  report  outlines  in 
detail  the  features  that  might  be  incori)orated  in  the  working  of  such  plan.  The 
committee  say,  in  the  report,  that  they  are  encouraged  to  regard  this  plan  with 
favor,  both  as  to  its  practicability  and  efficiency.  They  also  discuss  objections 
likely  to  be  urged  against  the  plan.  Rev.  J.  Leightou  "SVilson,  D.  D.,  of  the  com- 
mittee, signed  the  report  ^\ithout  expressing  any  decided  opinion  as  to  the  merits 
of  the  plan,  only  concurring  in  the  report  so  far  as  to  recommend  that  it  be  sent 
down  to  the  Presbyteries  ff)r  their  examination. — A. 

1875,  p.  39.  The  Presbyteries  having  sent  up  their  opinions,  they 
were  collated,  and  were  as  foUoAvs :  Twenty-seven  Presbyteries  only  re- 
port. Of  these,  twenty-two  reject  the  plan  luiconditionally,  one  ap- 
proves, two  accept  "oith  qualifications,  and  two  say  that  they  have 
taken  no  action.  Thereupon  the  Assembly  adopted  another  plan  (out- 
Uned  above,  (p.  303-305.) 

1886,  p.  38.  Overtui'e  of  the  Presbyterj-  of  New  Orleans,  "calling 
attention  to  the  present  method  of  assessing  Presb^'teries  for  benevo- 
lent objects,"  and  asking  that  it  be  discontinued. 

A  /isicer :  1.  The  present  method  of  naming  definite  amoimts  for 
each  Presbytery  to  raise  is  not  an  assessment,  but  an  apportionment, 
and  is  designed  simply  to  indicate  to  each  Presbyteiy  how  much  it 
must  give  if  the  great  causes  of  the  Chui'ch  are  to  be  successfully 
prosecuted. 

2.  As  the  plan  is  foimd  on  the  whole  to  work  weU,  and  in  many  in- 
stances very  much  to  increase  contributions,  it  is  considered  better  to 
continue  it. 

520.   The  tithe. 

1876,  p.  241.  Overtures  from  the  Presb^-ters'  of  Montgomery  and 
the  S^-nod  of  North  Carohna,  asking  th  Assembly  to  determine  the 
question  whether  the  law  of  the  tithe  is  ol  imiversal  and  pei^^etual  ob- 
ligation. The  committee  recommend  that  this  subject  be  referred  to 
the  next  General  Assembly.     Adopted. 

No  rurther  action  was  ever  had  on  the  matter.  — A. 

521.  Abstracts  of  annual  reports. 

1875,  p.  46.  The  stated  clerk  Avas  directed  to  publish  hereafter,  in 
the  Appendix  to  the  IMinutes,  abstracts  of  the  annual  reports  of  the 
Executive  Committees  of  the  Assembly,  instead  of  the  full  reports,  as 
heretofore.  , 

522.    Retrenchment  and  lieform. 

1878,  p.  608.  The  Rev.  S.  T.  Mai-tin  offered  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  adopted : 

Jiesofred,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  consider  the  expediency 
of  devising  some  plan  for  simi)hfv-ing  our  ecclesiastical  machiiiery,  di- 
minishing the  expenses  of  our  benevolent  operations,  and  increasing 
the  contributions  from  our  churches:  and  that  this  committee  repoi't  to 
this  Assembly. 

Connuittee'r  S.  T.  :Martiu,  R.  L.  Dabney,  E.  Hines,  W.  P.  AVebb, 
and  "\V.  F.  Ogden. 

P.  641.  The  report  made  by  this  committee,  after  some  discussion, 
was  tabled.     Aves,  56 :  noes,  49. 


310  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

P.  654.  Against  this  action  of  the  Assembly  a  protest  was  entered  by  Rev.  S. 
Taylor  Martin  and  thirty-two  others,  on  the  ground  that  the  report  was  tabled  im- 
mediately after  the  explanation  of  the  report  by  the  chairman,  and  before  any  op- 
portunity was  afforded  for  considering  the  information  and  discussing  the  sugges- 
tions of  the  committee.     The  protest  was  admitted  to  record  without  answer. 

1879,  p.  35.  Overtures  No.  8  from  the  Presbytery  of  Concord,  No. 
10  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ouachita,  and  No.  11  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Montgomery,  ask  the  Assembly  to  take  measures  to  secure  retrench- 
ment of  expenses  in  the  management  of  its  various  schemes.  Nos.  8 
and  9  (the  last  named  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ebenezer)  ask  particu- 
larly for  the  consolidation  of  the  Committees  of  Education  and  Publi- 
cation. 

The  committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  minute  in 
answer  to  the  foregoing  overtures : 

1.  While  this  Assembly  has  not  sufficient  data  before  it  to  justify 
any  important  changes  in  the  management  of  its  various  schemes  of 
benevolence,  or  even  to  determine  whether  such  changes  are  needed, 
yet,  in  deference  to  these  overtures,  it  hereby  appoints  a  committee  to  in- 
"vestigate  this  whole  subject  and  make  a  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

2.  The  question  of  the  consolidation  of  the  Committees  of  Education 
and  Pubhcation,  referred  to  in  overtures  Nos.  8  and  9,  is  hereby  referred 
to  said  committee.     Adopted. 

The  committee:  Ministers:  A.  C.  Hopkins,  S.  T.  Martin,  R.  G. 
Brank,  C.  W.  Lane;  Elders:  D.  N.  Kennedy,  W.  D.  Ee:^^iolds,  W.  T. 
Poague,  James  Hemphill,  Henry  Merrill. 

1880,  p.  184.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  on  the 
subject  of  "  Eetrenchment  and  Reform,"  presented  a  report,  signed  by 
eight  members,  viz. :  A.  C.  Hopkins,  R.  G.  Brank,  D.  N.  Kennedy,  W. 
D.  B.ejno\ds,  W.  T.  Poague,  James  Hemphill,  Henry  MerriU ;  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy, however,  dissenting  from  "  that  part  which  advocates  the  present 
plan  of  Education." 

A  minority  report  from  Eev.  8.  T.  Martin  and  Rev.  C.  W.  Lane  (the 
latter  aj)proving  only  in  part)  was  read,  and  the  consideration  of  these 
papers  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  11  o'clock  Monday  morning. 

P.  189.  The  reports  on  Reform  and  Retrenchment  were  taken  up, 
and  were  referred  to  a  special  committee  of  the  Assembly,  to  consist  of 
one  member  from  each  Synod,  viz. :  G.  W.  Morris,  F.  L.  Leeper,  J.  D. 
Parks,  W.  C.  Dmilap,  L.  C.  Inglis,  A.  B.  Curry,  A.  W.  Gauss,  J.  A. 
WaUace,  J.  D.  West,  J.  M.  Brown,  J.  S.  Moore,  W.  H.  Fellows. 

P.  203.  The  report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Reform  and  Re- 
trenchment was  taken  up,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  recommendation 
contained  in  the  last  article  of  the  report  be  adopted,  and  that  the  con- 
sideration of  the  whole  subject  be  referred  to  the  next  Assembly. 

The  article  referred  to  above  is  as  follows : 

Finally,  your  cf)mmittee  recommend,  in  view  of  the  magnitude  of  the 
interests  involved,  that  the  majority  report  of  said  Committee  on  Re- 
trenchment and  Reform  be  referred  to  the  chairman  of  that  committee, 
and  the  minority  report  of  said  committee  be  referred  to  Rev  S.  T.  Mar- 
tin, who  signs  and  presents  it,  to  the  end  that  abstracts  of  these  papers 
may  be  prepared  l)y  these  brethren  respectively  for  publication ;  which 
abstracts,  when  so  prepared,  shall  be  published  by  the  Pubhcation 
Committee,  and  (me  cop}'  thereof  sent  to  each  minister  of  our  Chm'ch, 
and  two  to  each   session,  to  the  end  that  the  commissioners  to  the 


Secs.  •523-525.]  The  Agenxies  of  the  Chuech.  311 

next  Assembly  may  have  within  theii'  reach  ample  means  of  informa- 
tion as  to  the  opposing  views  on  this  vital  question  of  economical  ad- 
ministration of  our  benevolent  funds. 

1881,  p.  iiG6.  The  subject  of  "  Eetrenchment  and  Eefoim"  was  taken 
up,  when  the  fttUowing-  amendment  to  the  majority  report,  which  had 
been  offered  by  the  Rev.  S.  T.  Martin,  was  rejected : 

"To  strike  out  the  clause  of  the  first  resolution,  and  insert  this: 
That  the  Assembly  remand  the  education  of  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try' to  the  several  Presbyteries,  directing  them  to  send  twenty  per  cent, 
of  their  gross  receipts  for  this  cause  to  the  treasiu-er,  to  be  distributed 
to  supi^ly  the  wants  of  the  weaker  Presbyteries,  i.  e.,  those  who  may  have 
an  excess  of  candidates  and  a  deficiency  of  funds." 

The  question  then  recurring  upon  the  recommendations  oflPered  by 
the  Eev.  A.  C.  Hopkins,  in  behalf  of  the  majority  of  the  committee, 
these  were  adopted,  the  vote  being,  upon  a  count  of  the  house,  120  to  8. 
The  recommendations  are  as  follows: 

"  Resolved,  1,  That  the  five  executive  committees  be  continued  as  at 
present,  and  that  the  Publication  and  Education  Executive  Committees 
shall  hereafter  pubhsh  monthly  acknowledgments  of  all  receipts  into 
their  treasuries  in  the  Earnest  Worlcer. 

"2.  That  the  General  Assembly  shall  exert  its  influence  upon  the 
lower  coui'ts  to  bring  about  their  rigid  inspection  of  all  accounts,  and 
systematic  and  exact  management  of  money  matters  by  all  diaconal  of- 
ficersof  ovx  congregations." 

P.  392.  To  this  action  Eev.  J.  B.  Adger,  D.  D.,  presented  <a  protest,  on  the  ground 
that  the  Assembly  by  their  action  say  that  no  change  -ft  hatever  shall  be  made  in  its 
system  of  executive  committees.  Admitted  to  record  uithont  ans'wer.  Kev.  S.  T.  Mar- 
tin and  six  others  submitted  a  protest  against  the  action  of  the  Assembly,  on  grounds 
of  principle  and  expediency,  also  on  parliamentary  groimds.  Eev.  G.  D.  Armstrong, 
D.  D.,  A.  C.  Hopkins,  and  elder  W.  C.  Bullock,  were  appointed  to  prepare  an  answer 
to  it.  Answer  adopted  ;  found  on  page  396,  and  is  confined  to  the  parliamentary 
questions  raised  by  the  protest. 

523.  The  executive  committees  to  audit  the  reports  of  their  treasurers. 

1882,  p.  554.  Each  of  the  executive  committees  be  dii'ected  to  ap- 
point from  among  their  own  number  respectively  a  sub-committee  to 
audit  the  accounts  of  their  respective  treasurers,  who  shall  submit  a 
wi'itten  report,  which  shall  accompany  the  report  of  the  committee  as 
made  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  form  part  of  the  same. 

524.  Appeals  of  other  committees  must  be  made  at  such  time  as  will  not 

encroach  on  the  collection  for  Puhlication. 

1886.  p.  39.  Attention  having  been  called  to  the  fact  that  during  the 
month  of  March,  which  is  set  apart  for  collections  for  Publication,  ap- 
peals are  made  to  the  churches  in  behalf  of  the  other  causes,  the  follow- 
ing was  adopted : 

The  attention  of  the  other  executive  committees  is  called  to  the  mat- 
ter of  which  complaint  is  made,  and  they  are  directed  to  make  their  ap- 
peals to  the  churches  at  such  times  as  will  not  encroach  upon  the  time 
specially  set  apart  for  collections  for  the  cause  of  Publication. 

525.  Freewill  o'ff^'erings. 

1887,  p.  203.  The  secretaries  of  the  executive  committees  respect- 
fuUv  memorialize  the  Assemblv  to  instruct  its  Committee  on  Svstematic 


312  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Beneficence  to  consider  the  scheme  of  collections  now  in  use  in  our  As- 
sembly, and  to  report  any  changes  or  recommendations  which  they  may 
think  to  be  wise,  aiming  to  make  the  system  more  efficient,  and  to  in- 
crease its  harmony. 

P.  242.     Answered  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  the  order  taken  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  author- 
izing an  appeal  for  freewill  offerings  to  supplement  the  funds  of  the 
Committee  of  Foreign  Missions,  shall  stand ;  which  order  is  as  follows, 
to-wit,  that  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Missions  be  permitted  to  appeal 
to  the  churches  for  freewUl  offerings  in  October  and  February. 

That  permission  be  given  to  the  committees  to  make  appeals  for  free- 
will offerings  to  supplement  the  collections,  as  follows,  ^iz. :  Education  in 
April,  Evangelistic  fund  in  June,  and  Sustentation  in  August. 

Yet,  to  avoid  misunderstanding  on  the  part  of  the  churches  and  em- 
barrassment between  the  committees,  the  General  Assembly  calls  the 
attention  of  the  churches  to  the  distinction  between  freewill  ojferings 
and  collections,  and  directs  the  secretaries  to  keep  the  Church  advised 
of  the  fact  that  no  collections  are  enjoined  by  the  authority  of  the  As- 
sembly, except  the  regular  collections  (according  to  schedule  now  in 
use). 

And  the  Assembly  would  define  its  action  in  regard  to  freewill  offer- . 
ings  to  mean  this :  that  the  secretaries  may  at  such  times  as  designated 
(and  at  no  other)  lay  the  needs  of  their  several  causes  before  the  pubUc 
in  such  ways  as  may  seem  best,  and  that  they  shall  in  all  theii-  calls  let 
the  churches  understand  that  the  Assembly  has  not  enjoined  a  supple- 
mental collection,  but  has  merely  designated  this  as  the  time  at  which 
said  committee  is  authoi'ized  to  ask  for  special  supplemental  freewiU 
offerings. 

526.  Uniform,  ecclesiastical  year. 

1886,  p.  47.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Columbia,  asking  the 
Assembly  "  to  estabhsh  an  ecclesiastical  year  which  shall  be  uniform  in 
all  our  Chui-ch  work."  Anstoer :  The  Assembly  does  not  consider  this 
course  practicable.     Adopted. 

1887,  p.  202.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Missouri,  asking  that 
aU  the  executive  committees  be  ordered  to  begin  their  fiscal  year  with 
the  first  of  April,  or  at  some  uniform  date,  for  the  convenience  of  Pres- 
bytei'ial  arrangement.  Ansioer :  It  would  be  unwise  to  make  the 
change  referred  to  in  the  overture. 

527.  Directory  for  the  Oblation. 

1868,  p.  278.  The  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  would  sug- 
gest to  the  Assembly  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a 
"Directory  for  the  Oblation,"  to  be  inserted  in  the  Directory  of  Wor- 
ship, consisting  mainly  of  references  to  passages  of  Scripture  contain- 
ing the  doctrine  of  oblation,  which  might  be  recited  by  the  minister 
before  or  during  the  offering  of  their  gifts  by  the  congregation.  In 
the  opinion  of  your  committee,  such  a  directory  would  serve  to  keep 
this  great  doctrine  before  the  faith  and  consciences  of  believers. 
Adopted. 

Kev.  Drs.  M.  D.  Hoge  and  T.  E  Peck  were  appointed  such  a  com- 
mittee (p.  281).     (There  is  no  record  of  a  report  from  this  committee.) 


Secs.  528, 529.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  818 

528.    Tract  on  Systematic  Benevolence. 

The  Assembly  ordered  that  the  very  able  and  admirable  report  ou  Systematic 
Benevolence,  adojited  in  1861,  be  printed  as  a  tract,  for  distribution  among  the 
churches  under  its  care.     (See  1861,  jj.  25. ) 

529.    Voluntary  associations  and  societies. 

1864,  p.  286.  The  following  ovei-ture  was  presented,  and  the  same 
referred  to  a  committee  of  three,  of  which  Kev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Baird  shall 
be  chairman,  with  instructions  to  report  upon  the  svibject-matter  thereof 
to  the  next  Assembly'.  The  other  members  of  this  committee  were  an- 
nounced by  the  moderator  as  follows:  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Wilson  and  Eev. 
Dr.  Lyon. 

"In  view  of  the  fact  that  efforts  have  already  been  made  to  secure  the 
permanent  organization  among  us  of  voluntary  societies,  to  take  the 
place  of  certain  national  societies  from  which  we  have  been  separated 
by  the  present  revolution,  the  General  Assembly  is  hereby  overtiu-ed 
to  take  the  subject  under  consideration,  and  to  appoint  a  committee  to 
report  to  the  next  Assembly  whatever  action  they  may  deem  needful, 
in  order  to  secure  the  rights  of  the  Presbyterian  Chvu'ch  in  so  many  of 
them  as  that  venerable  com't  may  find  needful,  and  may  be  prepared 
to  recommend  to  the  churches  under  its  care  for  their  co-operation.  It 
is  further  overtui'ed  that  the  said  committee  be  instructed  to  take  into 
consideration  the  propriety  of  the  Assembly's  making  a  dehverance 
annoimcing  her  position  in  the  following  particulars : 

' '  1.  The  Presbyterian  Church  holds  that  God  has  committed  the  whole  work  of  the 
publication  of  the  gospel  and  the  ingathering  of  sinners  into  his  kingdom  to  his 
Church  in  its  organized  capacity,  which  is  a  divinely  called  and  constituted  Mis- 
sionary and  Bible  Society.  The  otRcers  of  that  Church  are  those  to  whom,  by 
Divine  vocation,  the  executive  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church  has  been 
committed,  insomuch  that  no  part  of  the  work  of  the  Church  has  been  left  entrusted 
to  in-esponsible  organizations,  associations,  or  societies;  nor  does  God  confer  au- 
thority ou  any  in  the  conducting  of  the  affairs  of  his  kingdom  for  a  iJecuniary  con- 
sideration. 

"2.  The  national  societies  of  the  North  have  been  a  source  of  much  trouble  and  a 
cause  of  constant  anxiety  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Some  of  them  she  was  com- 
pelled, many  years  ago,  to  exclude  from  her  pulpits,  and  others  of  them  have  fre- 
quently given  her  much  cause  of  complaint ;  and  several  times  she  has  been  con- 
strained to  interfere  in  order  to  prevent  proceedings,  hurtful  in  their  tendencj'  or 
•wrong  in  principle,  which  she  could  not  tolerate. 

'  ■  3.  The  principle  on  which  these  national  societies  are  organized,  viz. :  that  of 
voluntary  association,  is  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible,  and  of  the  mass  of 
Protestant  Christendom,  that  the  Church  is  a  divine  organization,  and  its  duties  are 
obligatory  ou  all  of  Christ's  people.  The  terms  of  membership,  moreover,  and  the 
principle  on  which  men  secure  influence  and  gain  control  in  these  societies,  is  a 
species  of  simony,  since  the  one  and  the  other  are  purchased  by  money.  Against 
this  principle  and  practice  the  Presbj'terian  Church  must  ever  protest. 

"4.  The  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  symbols  of  the  bulk  of 
Protestant  churches,  recognize  the  propriety  of  holding  general  councils  of  the 
Church,  either  national  or  on-umenical.  This  principle  may  be  made  available 
here ;  and  councils  or  conventions  of  the  Protestant  and  Evangelical  Church  can 
be  held,  with  reference  to  any  particular  subjei-t,  or  to  the  interests  of  the  Church 
in  general,  according  to  the  emergencies  of  the  cause. 

"5.  This  is  the  proper  time  to  settle  these  questions  of  vital  interest  on  a  true, 
scriptural  and  satisfactory  basis,  before  any  of  these  nati(mal  organizations  have 
become  naturalized  among  us.  It  is  our  belief  that  the  Church  ought  to  determine 
how  many  of  those  organizations  the  interests  of  our  common  Christianity  may  re- 
quire, and  that  she  ought  to  hold  in  check  the  disposition  to  an  undue  multii)lica- 
tion  of  outward  and  irresponsible  agencies  for  doing  her  own  ajipropriate  wiu-k. 
Moreover,  we  hold  that  so  many  national  organizations  as  mav  be  deemed  needful 


314  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

should  be  founded  by  the  Church  herself;  and  that,  therefore,  the  different  branches 
of  the  Protestant  Church  which  recognize  each  other  as  evangelical  ought  to  form 
an  alliance  for  the  management  of  these  important  interests.  The  members  of  these 
national  organizations  ought  to  be  appointed  by  the  proper  aiithority  of  the  respec- 
tive churches,  according  to  their  several  constitutional  forms,  and  thus  the  whole  of 
this  difficult  subject,  as  to  how  many  of  these  societies  may  be  needed,  and  as  to 
what  their  powers  should  be,  and  how  they  should  be  managed,  would  be  kept  un- 
der church  control. 

' '  6.  The  national  societies  which  it  is  now  attempted  to  organize  on  the  New  Eng- 
land principle,  ought  to  be  notified  at  once  of  the  views  of  the  Assembly,  and  they 
ought  to  be  informed  that  any  co-operation  which  we  may  extend  to  them  will  be 
temporary,  and  only  continue  until  we  are  able  to  see  the  above  views  carried  out. 

"All  which  is  resi3ectfully  submitted. 

' '  A  Member  or  Central  Mississippi  Peesbyteey.  " 

This  committee  not  reporting  in  1865,  was  continued. 

1866,  p.  37.  The  Committee  on  Vohmtary  Associations  and  Societies 
beg  leave  to  report  that  the  action  of  this  General  Assembly  on  the  Form 
of  Government  has  rendered  any  further  action  unnecessary.  The  doc- 
trine that  "the  Church  in  its  organized  capacity,  with  its  officers  and 
courts,  is  the  sole  agency  which  Christ  hath  ordained  for  its  own  edifi- 
cation and  government,  and  for  the  propagation  of  the  faith  and  the 
evangelization  of  the  world,"  as  set  forth  in  that  formular}^,  clearly 
teaches  that  the  Church  is  God's  Bible  and  Missionary  Society,  and 
asserts  all  that  it  is  needful  for  this  court  at  present  to  annoimce. 
Adopted. 

530.  Statistical  tables  to  he  published. 

1863,  p.  154.  The  stated  clerk  is  hereby  directed  to  publish  the 
statistical  tables  of  the  Presbyteries  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes ; 
also  to  supply  deficiencies  in  these  tables  from  the  latest  copies  that 
can  be  procured  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  United 
States  (of  America),  and  to  use  any  moneys  in  the  treasury  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  this  publication. 

531.  Blan'ks  for  statistical  reports. 

1861,  p.  34.  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion be  requested  to  prepare  a  blank  form  for  statistical  reports,  to  be 
submitted  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

1867,  p.  148.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Publication  be  di- 
rected to  print  and  keep  on  hand  for  sale  blank  forms  for  sessional  and 
Presbyterial  statistical  reports,  reports  on  Systematic  Benevolence, 
blank  commissions  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  such  other  blank 
forms  as  may  be  required  by  clerks  of  sessions  and  Presbyteries. 

1871,  p.  20.  Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerks  of  Presbyteries  be 
recommended  to  furnish  to  all  their  respective  churches  Ijlanks  on 
which  to  report  what  they  have  done  during  the  ecclesiastical  ye&x  for 
the  various  objects  of  general  benevolence. 

1874,  p.  510.  It  is  recommended  that  the  Exe(;utive  Committee  of 
Publication  be  directed  to  print  an  ade(|uate  supply  of  sessional  re- 
ports, to  be  sent  without  charge  to  the  stated  clerks  of  Presbyteries,  so 
that  all  the  church  sessions  may  be  regularly  supplied  without  cost; 
and  also,  that  supi)lies  of  Presbyterial  reports  be  sent  without  charge 
to  stated  clerks  of  Presbyteries. 

1876,  p.  224.     This  court  solemnly  enjoins  upon  its  constituent  Pres- 


Sec.  532.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  315 

byteries  to  require  their  stated  clerks  to  furnish  every  church,  vacant 
or  otherwise,  with  printed  bhmks  (for  Systematic  Benevolence),  at  least 
six  weeks  before  their  spring  meeting. 

1881,  p.  271.  Overture  from  Presbytery  of  St.  Johns:  That  inas- 
much as  the  blanks  for  Pregbyterial  rejDorts  on  Sabbath-schools  do  not 
correspond  with  the  blanks  for  sessional  reports  on  the  same  subject, 
the  General  Assembly  instruct  the  secretary  of  Publication  to  so  alter 
one  of  the  two  blanks  as  to  make  it  correspond  with  the  other,  that  more 
accurate  and  definite  information  on  the  subject  may  be  given. 

Answer:  There  is  no  important  discrepancy  between  the  two  forms 
referred  to  by  the  Presbyter}-. 

1885,  13.  411.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans,  call- 
ing attention  to  the  inaccuracies  of  the  blank  forms  sent  down  for  the 
use  of  churches. 

Answtr:  The  Assembly  hereby  appoints  the  stated  and  permanent 
clerks  a  committee  to  arrange  blank  forms  for  all  the  uses  of  the  As- 
sembly, which  forms  shall  agree  each  with  each  and  all  with  one  an- 
other. 

532.    What  items  are  to  he  reported. 

1861,  p.  35.  Ordered,  That  all  the  funds  for  Domestic  Missions, 
whether  dispensed  by  the  Presbyteries  themselves,  or  transmitted  to- 
gether with  its  missionaiy  operations  to  the  committee,  be  fully  and 
accmately  reported  by  each  Presbytery  to  the  General  Assembly, 
through  the  executive  committee,  and  that  this  report  be  made  in  time 
to  be  incorporated  in  the  committee's  annual  report. 

1870,  p.  505.  Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  dii'ected  to  pre- 
pare a  separate  column  in  the  statistical  tables  for  the  contributions  for 
disabled  ministers  and  the  families  of  deceased  ministers ;  also,  sepa- 
rate columns  for  pastors'  salaries  actually  paid,  and  for  congregational 
expenses ;  and  that  Presbyterial  assessments  be  reported  in  the  miscel- 
laneous collections. 

1871,  p.  IG.  The  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans  having  prayed  the  As- 
sembly to  reconsider  this  rule  so  far  as  it  applies  to  a  column  in  the 
statistical  reports  for  pastors'  salaries  actually  paid  in,  the  following 
was  adopted: 

"  That  the  Assembly,  believing  the  evil  effect  feared  by  the  memo- 
rialists will  not  follow,  do  decline  to  rescind  a  rule  so  recently  adopted 
b}'  the  Assembly,  and  promising  good  results." 

A  similar  request  (1881,  p.  358)  from  the  Presbytery  of  South  Ala- 
bama was  not  granted. 

1871,  p.  20.  Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  require  from  all  their 
chiu'ches  statistical  reports  of  what  they  (the  cluu'clies)  have  done  during 
the  ecclesiastical  year  for  the  various  objects  of  general  benevolence. 

1873,  p.  307.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Harmony,  asking 
that  another  column  be  added  to  the  statistical  tables,  exhibiting  the 
amount  of  salary  stipulated  to  be  paid  to  the  minister  in  charge.  The 
committee  recommend  that  this  overture  be  not  granted.     Adopted. 

1873,  p.  311.  Overture  from  Abingdon  Presbytery,  touching  Pres- 
byterial reports.  Ordered,  That  the  whole  subject  of  statistical  reports, 
together  with  the  forms  submitted  in  this  overture,  be  referred  to  the 
stated  clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  together  with  the  permanent 


316  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

clerk  and  secretaries  of  the  executive  committee,  to  prepare  a  form,  if 
in  their  judgment  it  is  advisable,  to  be  submitted  to  the  next  Assemblj- 
for  action. 

P.  312.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presb}i:ery  of  Holston, 
it  vpas  ordered  that  the  subject  of  an  additional  column  for  non-com- 
muning members  (infant  and  adult),  in  tlae  statistical  columns,  be  re- 
ferred to  the  committee  mentioned  above,  in  overture  10. 

On  the  report  of  this  committee,  the  following  was  adopted : 

1874,  p.  510.  1.  That  four  new  columns  be  added  to  the  statistical 
tables — the  first  for  elders,  the  second  for  deacons,  the  third  for  bap- 
tized non-communicating  members,  and  the  fourth  for  the  evangelistic 
fund ;  and  that  these  be  arranged  in  the  statistical  tables  as  in  the  ac- 
companying tabular  statement. 

2.  It  is  also  recommended  that  certain  directions,  as  are  herewith 
presented,  accompany  the  statistical  table. 

This  tabular  form  is  giveu  in  the  Minutes  for  1874,  on  p.  674,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  added  coliamn  for  Tuskaloosa  Institute,  and  slight  changes  in  word- 
ing, is  the  same  as  that  now  in  use. — A. 

1875,  p.  19.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Macon,  calling  atten- 
tion to  the  fact  that  the  phraseology  of  the  Presbyterial  reports,  issued 
in  blank  under  the  direction  of  the  Assembly,  conveys  an  erroneous 
impression  as  to  the  composition  of  a  Presbytery,  and  asking  that  the 
defect  be  corrected. 

The  Assembly  ordered  the  substitution  of  the  following  form  for  that 
now  employed,  viz. : 

"The  Presbytery  of reports  to  the  General  Assembly  that  it 

comprises ministers  and churches,  and  has  \mder  its 

care licentiates  and  candidates." 

1876,  p.  217.  Overtvu-e  from  S.  F.  Tenney,  of  Crockett,  Texas,  ask- 
ing that  the  Assembly  order  the  publication  in  its  Minutes  of  statistics 
showing  the  strength,  condition,  and  work  of  each  of  the  Sabbath- 
schools  under  its  care;  and  also  the  publication  of  separate  and  full 
statistics  of  the  number  and  condition  of  the  colored  churches  under 
the  care  of  the  Assembly. 

Answer  :  No  change  should  be  made  in  the  arrangement  of  the  sta- 
tistical tables  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  one  column  of  which 
shows  the  number  of  children  in  each  Sabbath-school. 

As  to  the  publication  of  statistics  concerning  the  condition  of  the  col- 
ored churches,  we  think  the  end  proposed  would  be  gained  by  pubhsh- 
ing  any  information  and  reports  of  special  interest  in  relation  to  the 
evangelization  of  the  colored  people  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of 
the  Assembly. 

1878,  p.  685.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  asking 
the  Assembly  to  "omit  the  word  'childi'en'  from  the  heading  of  the 
column  in  the  statistical  rej)orts,  so  as  to  read  'No.  in  Sabbath-schools 
and  Bible  classes.'  "     The  Assembly  ordered  the  change  proposed. 

Eeiterated,  1880  (p.  215). 

1880,  p.  196.  Overture  asking  the  Assembly  to  rescind  the  order 
requiring  from  chm'ch  sessions  a  separate  report  on  Systematic  Benefi- 
cence, (see  Minutes,  1876,  pp.  224,  225,  and  1877,  p.  416,)  it  being  a 
duplicate  report,  and  therefore  unnecessary,  expensive  and  confusing. 
Not  granted. 


Sec.  533.]  The  A(iENciES  of  the  Church.  817 

1882,  p.  547.  The  Assembly  ordered  a  column  for  coutributioiis  to 
Tuskaloosa  Institute  to  be  inserted  in  the  statistical  table.  (See  chap- 
ter on  that  subject.) 

1882,  p.  573.  Ordered:  1.  That  the  question  calling  for  the  num- 
ber of  Sabbath-school  scholars  added  to  the  Church  be  changed  so  as 
to  read,  "  Number  of  pupils  of  the  Sabbath-school  added  to  the  com- 
munion of  the  Church." 

2.  That  the  question  calling  for  tlie  number  of  Sabbath-school  teach- 
ers added  to  the  Church  be  omitted  altogether. 

1888,  p.  17.  The  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ouachita,  asking 
that  an  additional  column  be  added  to  the  statistical  tables  for  the  Bi- 
ble cause,  receives  the  following  answer:  It  is  unwise  to  multij^ly  sta- 
tistical columns  so  as  to  include  causes  not  ordered  by  the  Assembly, 
as  leading  to  indefinite  enlargement. 

1883,  p.  32.  See  chapter  on  Foreign  Missions,  for  directions  as  to 
statistics  of  the  foreign  work. 

1884,  p.  214.  The  Presbytery  of  Enoree  overtures  the  General  As- 
sembly : 

1.  To  add  a  column  for  non-resident  members  to  the  statistical  ta- 
bles. 

2.  That,  should  the  Assembly  decline  this  request,  explicit  instruc- 
tions be  given  as  to  whether  these  non-resident  members  should  be 
reported  in  the  statistical  reports. 

Answer :  1.  The  General  Assembly  declines  the  request  for  an  addi- 
tional column  in  our  statistical  tables  for  non-resident  members. 

2.  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Assembly  that  the  names  of  aU  members 
whose  residences  are  known  should  be  reported  by  the  sessions. 

3.  That  the  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to  endeavor  to  secure  the  en- 
forcement by  sessions  of  the  rule  found  in  Book  of  Discipline,  Chap. 
XV.,  Art.  II. 

1885,  p.  401.  Presbj^teiy  of  Memphis  asks  the  Assembly  to  pro\ide 
a  column  in  the  statistical  tables,  showing  rental  value  of  manses. 

Ansioer :  It  is  inexpedient  to  add  another  column  to  our  statistical 
tables  as  requested. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TRUSTEES  AND  THE  CHARTER. 

533.  First  steps  towurd  securing  a  charter. 

18G1,  p.  S).  On  motion  of  David  Hadden,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  report  upon  the  propriety  of  securing  a  charter  for  the  Assembly. 
Chancellor  Johnstone,  Judge  Shepherd,  and  W.  L.  ^Mitchell,  were  ap- 
pointed on  this  committee. 

P.  30.  This  committee  submitted  a  report,  which,  after  amendment, 
Avas  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  select  committee  of  three,  to  whom  the  General  Assembly  has 
referred  the  resolution  to  obtain  a  charter  from  the  States,  or  Confed- 


318  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

eracy,  by  which  the  right  of  property  may  be  held  in  trust  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Assembly,  having  had  under  consideration  the  several 
matters  embraced  in  the  reference,  respectfully  submit  the  following  re- 
port: 

There  is  no  power  in  the  Confederacy,  or  the  Confederate  Congress, 
to  grant  a  charter  for  a  purpose  like  that  contemplated  by  the  resolu- 
tion, inasmuch  as  it  does  not  relate  to  any  matter  connected  with  the 
administration  of  the  Government.  The  constitution  of  the  Confed- 
erate States,  which,  in  its  sphere  of  operation,  is  the  highest  law  of  the 
land,  declares  and  fixes  the  jurisdiction  of  Congress,  and  settles  in  a 
determinate  way  the  bounds  and  the  subjects  of  its  legislation.  There 
is  no  provision  made  for  a  case  like  this,  for  which  reason  an  applica- 
tion, to  Congress  would  be  in  vain. 

The  committee  recommend  that  application  be  made  to  one  or  more 
of  the  Confederate  States  to  grant  a  charter,  unlimited  as  to  the  time 
of  its  duration,  and  also  as  to  the  amomit  of  property  which  may  be 
held  in  trust  for  the  General  Assembly,  with  a  view  to  the  full  develop- 
ment and  exercise  of  its  largest  usefixlness,  and  for  the  firm  and  suc- 
cessful establishing  of  these  agencies,  which  shall  fill  up  the  measure  of 
our  systematic  benevolence  and  our  Christian  duty.  In  this  connection, 
it  is  suggested  that  the  General  Assembly,  at  its  present  session,  elect 

trustees,  to  receive,  hold,  employ  and  dispose  of  all  the  estate  and 

property,  real,  personal  and  mixed,  which  from  time  to  time  may  be 
acquired  by  gift,  devise,  bequest,  purchase,  or  otherwise. 

Another  question  has  been  discussed  before  the  (committee,  so  inti- 
mately connected  with  a  charter  for  the  incorporation  of  trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly,  that  the  committee  have  had  it  under  consideration, 
and  ask  leave  to  submit  a  report  thereupon:  Shall  the  boards  or  com- 
mittees of  the  General  Assembly  be  incorporated  by  some  act  of  legis- 
lation separate  from  that  which  makes  the  trustees  of  the  Assembly  a 
body  pohtic  and  corporate,  or  shall  they  be  united  by  an  act  or  acts 
which  shall  make  them  one  common,  undivided  incorporation,  in  law 
and  fact  ? 

The  committee  recommend  that  they  be  united  in  one  body,  however 
various  may  be  the  agencies  which  the  Assembly  may  employ  in  the 
great  trust  which  is  committed  to  the  Chiu'ch  on  earth.  As  an  abstract 
question  of  law,  it  is  not  doubted  that  this  may  be  done,  and  if  it  shall 
be  accomplished,  we  shall  not  have  in  the  Church  boards  or  committees 
rising  lap  and  asserting  a  power  in  themselves,  independent  of  and 
against  the  General  Assembly,  but  our  corporate  organization  and  ex- 
istence being  one  entire  body,  one  legal  entity,  we  shall  exhibit  the  ap- 
pearance of  uniformity,  sympathy,  harmony,  and  of  delightful  and  re- 
freshing Christian  brotherhood. 

As  the  General  Assembly  will  doubtless  establish  at  this  time  fields 
or  centres  (jf  (jperation  for  different  portions  of  the  work  which  is  now 
to  be  inaugurated,  it  would  be  well,  out  of  abundant  caution,  to  have 
the  apphcation  for  our  charter  made  in  all  of  the  States  where  one  of 
our  committees  or  boards  is  to  be  placed. 

The  suggestion  of  yom-  committee  in  reference  to  the  single  act  of  in- 
corporation is  designed  to  have  our  corporate  title,  style  and  I'ights  the 
same  in  every  State  where  we  may  operate,  by  a  statutoi-y  declaration 
from  that  State,  which  may  secure  us  beyond  all  c[uestion. 

To  keep  our  boards  or  committees  dei)endent  upon  and  lesponsible 


Sec.  534.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chxirch.  319 

to  the  General  Assembly;  to  have  an  organization  broad  enough  to 
embrace  all  om*  imdertakings ;  to^keep  them  in  one  family,  by  one  fam- 
ily name;  to  keep  them  so  bound  together  that  the  creator  may  be 
above  the  creatvu-e ;  to  present  the  view  of  the  vine  and  its  branches,  it 
occurs  to  your  committee,  would  be  a  happy  consummation  for  our 
Chvu'ch. 

A  bill  drawn  to  secure  such  a  charter  is  herewith  submitted  by  yo\ir 
committee,  and  if  it  shall  be  approved,  fm'ther  steps  must  be  taken  to 
present  it  early  to  some  legislature  now  in  session,  viz. : 

Here  follows  (p.  32)  a  draft  of  the  bill  suggested.  As  it  was  never  enacted  into  a 
law  by  any  legislature,  it  is  here  omitted.  — A. 

534.    Committees  to  procure  a  charter. 

1861,  p.  40.  The  action  of  the  Assembly  with  reference  to  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  committee  to  procure  a  charter  was  reconsidered,  and 
the  Assembly  resolved  that  the  moderator  apj^uint  a  c<jmmittee  of 
three  from  each  of  the  States  of  Louisiana,  Mississii:)pi,  Tennessee  and 
Virginia,  for  this  purpose.  The  following  gentlemen  were  accordingly 
appointed :  from  Tennessee,  A.  W.  Putnam,  Jackson  B.  White,  Alfred 
Eobb,  and  B.  M.  Estes;  from  Virginia,  W.  F.  C.  Gregory,  E.  D.  Mon- 
tague, Asa  D.  Dickinson,  and  J.  D.  Armstrong :  fi'om  ^Mississippi,  J.  W. 
C.  Watson,  J.  W.  Clapp,  H.  T.  EUett,  and  T.  J.  Wharton;  from  Limis- 
iana,  B.  M.  Palmer,  Thomas  A.  Clarke,  and  James  N.  Lee ;  the  names 
of  Messrs.  Armstrong,  Estes,  and  AVliarton  being  added  by  special  mo- 
tions. The  stated  clerk  was  ordered  to  announce  to  these  gentlemen 
their  appointment,  and  send  them  each  a  copy  of  the  bill  for  a  charter, 
without  delay. 

1862,  p.  13.  A  communication  from  W.  F.  C.  Gregory  was  presented 
by  the  moderator,  stating  that  a  charter  for  the  Assembly's  board  of 
trustees  had  been  refused  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  in  the  form  of  bill 
prepared  and  sanctioned  by  the  last  General  Assembly.  No  report  was 
received  fi'om  the  committees  in  the  other  States.  After  several  motions 
and  a  reference  to  a  committee,  the  following  resolution  (p.  17)  was 
adopted : 

liesolved,  That  a  committee  of  live  be  appointed,  whose  duty  it  shaU 
be  to  secure  aU  necessary  information  as  to  the  forms  of  charters  and 
the  conditions  of  secimng  them  in  the  several  States  where  they  may 
be  required,  and  report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Assembly ;  and 
also  that  the  conamittee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  be  requested 
to  report  the  result  of  their  elforts  to  this  committee.  Committee: 
Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.,  Rev.  John  ReAburn,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  S.  Gladney, 
Judge  A.  H.  Handy,  and  Wm.  P.  Webb. 

1863,  p.  122.  A  letter  from  the  chairman  of  this  committee  was  read 
and  placed  on  the  docket. 

P.  124.  A  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Kirkpatrick,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  W.  L.  MitcheU,  J.  N.  Whitner,  W. 
P.  Finley,  and  Geo.  J.  S.  Walker,  was  appointed,  to  report  to  this  As- 
sembly some  action  with  reference  to  the  whole  subject  of  the  charter, 
and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Baird's  communication  be  taken  from  the  docket 
and  referred  to  this  committee. 

P.  131.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  from  the  committee  on  the  charter, 
reported  as  follows,  and  the  report  was  adopted : 


320  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  whole  sul)ject  of  the  charter 
for  the  incorporation  of  the  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  together 
with  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Baii'd,  chairman  of  the  select  com- 
mittee raised  bv  the  last  Assembly  on  the  same  subject,  beg  leave  to 
rejDort : 

The  Assembly  of  1861,  at  Augusta,  adopted  a  form  of  charter,  per- 
petual as  to  time  and  unlimited  as  to  the  amount  of  property  which 
should  be  held,  whose  leading  feature  was  that  there  should  be  one  un- 
divided corporation,  in  which  all  the  legal  rights  of  the  Assembly  should 
be  vested,  and  of  which  all  the  committees,  agencies  or  boards  created, 
and  to  be  created,  by  the  Assembly,  and  connected  with  her  benevolent 
pui-poses  and  operations,  should  be  held  to  be  branches — obviating  thus 
the  necessity  of  incorporating  them  separately  and  individually.  This 
form  of  charter  the  Assembly  desired  should  be  obtained  from  as  many 
of  the  States  in  the  Confederacy  as  possible,  especially  the  States  of 
Virginia,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  and  Louisiana,  in  each  of  which  com- 
mittees were  appointed,  charged  with  the  duty  of  securing  the  legisla- 
tion necessary  to  this  end. 

In  conseqvience  of  the  troubled  state  of  the  country,  the  Assembly  of 
1862,  which  met  five  months  later  at  Montgomery,  was  without  satisfac- 
tory information  as  to  the  result  of  the  efforts  made  by  these  committees 
respectively,  and  raised  a  special  committee,  of  which  Dr.  Baird  was 
the  chairman,  to  collect  these  results,  and  also  to  secure  the  necessary- 
information  as  to  the  forms  of  charters  and  the  conditions  of  securing 
them  in  the  several  States  where  they  maybe  required.  This  commit- 
tee, however,  like  those  previously  appointed,  has,  from  the  same  cause, 
been  prevented  from  convening,  as  is  fully  stated  in  the  letter  of  Dr. 
Baird.  In  this  posture,  the  subject  comes  up  anew  for  the  considera- 
tion of  this  General  Assembly. 

Were  not  grave  interests  involved,  which  must  suffer  by  dela}',  cour- 
tesy might  reqiure  the  continuance  of  the  committee  appointed  last  year 
until  such  time  as  the  results  of  their  inquiries  might  be  laid  before 
the  Assembly.  But  the  complete  organization  of  our  benevolent  agen- 
cies will  thus  be  suspended  for  at  least  eighteen  months,  during  which 
time  most  important  trusts  will  be  in  jeopardy.  Bequests  may  at  any 
time  be  made  to  each  of  the  great  interests  of  the  Church,  which  can 
be  held  only  by  some  body  knovm  to  the  law.  It  is  ascertained,  more- 
over, that  there  is  a  large  amount  of  valuable  property,  both  real  and 
personal,  within  the  Confederate  States,  which  was  originally  donated 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  or  to  the  several  boards  of  that  Church,  all  of  which  justly  and 
equitably  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States 
of  Amei-ica.  The  incor})()ration  of  trustees  for  the  Assembly,  at  as  earlj' 
a  day  as  practicable,  is  important,  in  order  to  preserve  this  property 
from  sequestration,  inasmuch  as  the  said  trustees  are  the  proper  per- 
sons, in  law  and  in  fact,  to  represent,  secure,  and  protect  all  the  rights 
and  interests  of  this  Church  to  all  the  property  which  justly  and  ec^uit- 
ably  belongs  to  it,  and  were  distinctly  charged  with  this  duty  by  the 
Assembly  at  Augusta. 

Your  committee  are  agreed  that  the  way  is  open  for  this  Assembly 
to  proceed  to  immediate  and  final  action  in  the  premises.  They  are  in 
possession  of  an  attested  copy  of  an  act  of  incorporation  passed  by  the 


Sec.  534.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  321 

Legislature  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  March  19,  1862,  which  is  here- 
with submitted,  and  which  is  identical  with  that  adopted  by  the  As- 
sembly at  Augusta,  with  the  single  exception  that,  instead  of  being 
peii:)etual,  it  is  Umited  to  the  term  of  ninety-nine  years.  Under  this 
charter  the  trustees  originally  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  with  a  few 
changes  hereafter  to  be  indicated,  may,  in  the  committee's  judgment, 
organize  at  once,  and  proceed  to  the  execution  of  their  high  trust. 
The  committee,  therefore,  concur  in  the  following  recommendations: 

1.  That  the  charter  granted  by  the  State  of  Tennessee  be  at  once 
accepted  by  this  General  Assembly. 

2.  That  with  a  view  to  localizing  the  trustees  as  much  as  possible, 
the  Assembly,  during  its  present  sessions,  proceed  to  elect  trustees  in 
place  of  Thomas  Henderson,  of  Mississippi,  deceased ;  of  W.  P.  Camp- 
bell, of  Louisiana,  now  an  exile  in  Eiu'ope :  and  of  Moses  Greenwood 
and  of  Joseph  A.  Maybin,  of  the  same  State,  now  within  the  lines  of 
the  enemy ;  taking  care  to  select  persons  who  reside  sufficiently  near 
to  each  other  to  be  convened  without  difficulty,  and  who,  with  others 
of  the  original  trustees  quite  accessible,  will  secure  a  quorum  for  an 
early  meeting. 

3.  That  the  Assembly  designate  some  one  of  these  trustees  to  act 
temporarily  as  chairman,  and  charge  him  with  the  duty  of  convening 
the  rest  at  some  central  place  at  the  earhest  day  possible,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  under  the  charter  obtained  from  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. 

4.  That  these  trustees,  when  convened,  be  directed  to  take  the  ne- 
cessary steps  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  same  or  a  similai'  chai'ter  to 
that  ah'eady  obtained,  in  as  many  of  the  States  of  this  Confederacy  as 
may  be  induced  to  grant  it. 

5.  That  the  by-laws  and  ordinances  which  they  may  make  for  their 
own  government,  as  empowered  to  do  in  the  second  section  of  the 
charter,  shall  be  submitted  for  exammation  and  revision  to  the  next 
Assembly. 

6.  That  to  avoid  complexity  and  friction,  as  well  as  delay  in  the  busi- 
ness operations  of  the  four  Committees  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Mis- 
sions, of  Education,  and  of  Publication,  the  trustees  be  directed  so  to 
aiTange  in  their  b\ -laws  that  all  contributions  and  gifts  designated  to 
these  particular  objects  may  flow  dii-ectly  to  the  treasurers  of  these 
committees  respectively,  whose  receipts  shall  be  a  full  and  legal  dis- 
charge to  the  parties  b}'  whom  these  gifts  and  payments  shall  be 
made. 

P.  136.  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  was  apiDointed  chairman  of  the 
board  of  trustees,  with  instructions  to  call  them  together  at  Columbia, 
S.  C,  at  the  earliest  day  practicable. 

1864,  p.  247.  Extract  from  the  report  of  the  board :  "  The  trustees, 
under  the  call  of  Dr.  Palmer,  met  at  Columbia  on  the  21st  of  May, 
1863.     The  charter  granted  by  the  State  of  Tennessee  was  considered, 

freely  discussed,  and  accepted In  accordance  with  the  views  of 

the  Assembl}^  a  committee  of  two  was  appointed  from  each  of  the 
States  of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama, 
and  Louisiana,  to  apply  to  the  State  authorities  for  chai'ters  of  incor- 
poration, to-wit:  North  Carolina:  Joseph  H.  "Wilson  and  J.  G.  Shep- 
herd. South  Carolina :  T.  C.  Perrin  and  J.  A.  Inglis.  Georgia :  W. 
L.  MitcheU  and  E.  A.  Nesbit.     Florida:  B.  F.   AVhitner  and  W.  A. 

21 


322  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

Forward.     Alabaraa :  G.  J.  S.  Walker "aud  J.  M.  Calhoun.     Louisiana : 
T.  A.  Clarke  and  J.  A.  Maybin." 

P.  253.  Thereon  the  following  report  was  adopted:  "The  select 
committee  to  whom  has  been  referred  the  report  from  the  trustees  of 
this  Assembly  in  relation  to  the  Church  charter,  having  had  under  con- 
sideration the  subject-matter  embraced  in  the  reference,  respect  full}'' 
submit  that  it  is  deemed  expedient  to  make  an  application  to  the  Le- 
gislature of  North  Carolina  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  an  act  of  incor- 
poration which  shall  contain  large  and  liberal  provisions.  No  State, 
except  Tennessee,  has  granted  to  us  3'et  the  corporate  existence  for 
which  we  have  sought ;  and  even  in  this  instance,  enough  has  not  been 
done  to  secure  such  rights  as  we  may  acquire.  Although  the  charter 
allowed  by  tlie  State  of  Tennessee  has  been  received  by  the  corpora- 
tors named  in  it,  and  a  meeting  held  for  the  pm-pose  of  organization, 
yet  the  work  has  not  been  done  with  that  regularity  which  relieves  the 
case  of  serious  embarrassment  and  doubt.  The  corporation  must  have 
a  residence,  although,  by  the  comity  of  nations,  it  may  exercise,  when 
in  existence,  corporate  rights  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  creating  power. 
The  acceptance  and  the  organization  under  the  act  being  made  in 
South  Carolina,  and  not  in  Tennessee,  the  corporate  body  assumed  its 
functions  beyond  the  territory  which  had  authorized  a  residence  and 
existence  in  its  limits.  The  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina  wiU 
meet  on  the  17th  instant,  and  it  is  recommended  that  Giles  Mebane, 
Esq.,  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  Col.  John  A.  Young,  Col.  Thomas  A.  Al- 
lison, WiUiam  S.  Harris,  and  J.  G.  She^Dherd,  at  present  members  of 
the  Legislature  of  the  State,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  biU 
and  procure  an  act  of  incorporation  from  the  said  General  Assembly, 
which  shall  be  as  full  and  as  hberal  in  its  provisions  as  may  be  ob- 
tained." 

1865,  p.  356.  The  Assembly  heard  a  statement  from  Eev.  Dr.  Kirk- 
patrick,  with  reference  to  the  proceedings  of  the  trustees  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  from  which  body  no  report  has  been  received.  A  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Eev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick,  Col.  W.  L.  Mitchell,  and  N. 
S.  Graham,  was  appointed  to  report  to  this  Assembh^  what  additional 
steps,  if  any,  are  necessaiy  in  order  to  secure  a  competent  charter  for 
this  body. 

1865,  p.  364.  The  Committee  on  Charters  made  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  adopted : 

Although  no  official  information  has  been  laid  before  the  General 
Assembly,  the  following  statement  of  facts  touching  the  matter  of  the 
charter,  as  provided  for  hj  the  last  Assembly,  ma}^  be  received  as  un- 
doubtedly correct,  viz. : 

Soon  after  the  adjournment  of  the  last  General  Assembly  an  api)li- 
cation  was  made  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  for 
an  act  of  incorporation,  which  application  proved  successful,  and  a 
charter  was  obtained  with  only  one  slight  and  immaterial  modification 
of  the  terms  proposed  by  the  committee  of  the  General  Assembly. 

As  required  by  the  charter,  the  ti-ustees  assembled  in  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
on  the day  of ,  1864,  declared  their  acceptance  of  the  char- 
ter, and  organized  by  the  appointment  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  C.  Perrin, 
of  Abbeville,  S.  C,  president;  the  Eev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer,  of  New  Or- 
leans, secretary ;  and  John  Crawford,  Esq.,  of  Columbia,  S.  C,  treas- 
urer. . 


Sec.  534.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  323 

It  is  believed  that  all  that  is  now  necessary  to  be  done  is  for  the 
General  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  to  make  appHcation  to  the 
Legislature  of  North  Carolina  to  change  the  name  and  style  of  the 
body  to  which  the  charter  has  been  granted  from  the  "  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  "  to  "  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  I'nited  States." 

We  therefore  recommend  tliat  Joseph  H.  Wilson,  James  M.  Hutch- 
ison, A.  A.  McLean,  and  Duncan  Shaw,  ruling  elders  of  our  Chm-ch, 
now  holding  seats  in  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  be  appointed 
and  rec]uested  to  obtain  from  that  body  the  above  chang'e  in  the 
charter,  and  do  what  else,  if  anything,  may  be  necessary  to  seciu'e 
to  lis  the  full  benefits  of  that  instrument. 

Dr.  Kirkj)atnck  was  appomted  to  make  known  the  last  resolution  of 
this  report  to  the  gentlemen  mentioned  in  it. 

18G6,  p.  28.  A  report  from  the  Committee  on  tlie  Charter  was  pre- 
sented by  RuHng  Elder  B.  M.  Estes,  which  report  was  adopted,  and  is 
as  follows : 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  communication  of  the  Hon. 
Thomas  C.  Perrin  in  reference  to  the  charter  of  the  Chm-ch,  and,  as 
an  exhibit  thereto,  a  copy  of  the  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  incorporating  and  chartering  "  the  trustees  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Umted 
States,"  ratified  on  the  19th  day  of  February,  186G,  beg  leave  most  re- 
spectfully to  report  that  they  have  carefully  considered  the  said  com- 
munication and  examined  the  provisions  of  the  charter,  and  are  of  the 
opinion  that  said  charter,  although  subject  to  some  criticism  and  ob- 
jections, ought  to  be  accepted,  even  upon  the  terms  prescribed  by  the 
laws  of  North  Carohna,  as  set  forth  in  the  communication  of  IMr.  Per- 
rin. The  defects  in  and  objections  to  said  charter  as  ah-eaiy  passed 
may  probably,  without  much  difficulty,  be  remedied  and  overcome 
hereafter  by  amendments  to  the  charter,  to  be  prescribed  by  some  fu- 
tiu'e  General  Assembly ;  but  for  the  time  being,  it  is  unquestionably 
the  part  of  wisdom  to  accept  and  organize  under  the  charter  as  it  now 
stands.  The  committee  therefore  recommend  the  acceptance  of  the 
charter  granted  by  the  Legislatiu'e  of  North  Carolina,  and  an  organi- 
zation thereunder  at  as  eai'ly  a  da}'  as  practicable. 

The  committee  having  collected,  by  contributions  from  the  ruling  el- 
ders present  and  members  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  smn  of  one 
hundi'ed  dollars,  now  tender  the  same  to  the  General  Assembly  on  be- 
half of  the  said  elders,  and  recommend  that  it  be  placed  m  the  hands 
of  some  suitable  person,  to  be  selected  by  this  body,  who  shall  i)ay  it 
into  the  treasiuy  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  in  piu'suance  of  the 
"  revenue  law  "  of  said  State,  which  presciibes  "  that  before  any  organi- 
zation imder  an  act  or  amended  act  of  incorporation  of  the  State  can 
be  formed,  a  certified  cojn'  of  said  charter  must  be  obtaiued  from  the 
Secretary  of  State,  who  shall  not  grant  the  same  imtil  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  dollars  is  paid  into  the  treasuiy  of  the  State."  The  committee 
further  recommend  that  the  trustees  nominated  in  said  charter,  or  the 
person  appointed  by  this  Assembly  to  receive  said  sum  of  money,  be 
requested  to  submit  to  the  proper  officials  of  the  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina the  question  as  to  whether  said  "  revenue  law  "  above  referred  to 
was  intended  or  will  be  construed  to  extend  to  and  include  chartei*s 
for  religious  purposes ;  and  if  it  shall  be  determmed  that  it  does  not, 


324  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.        [Bouk  IV. 

and  by  that  reason  the  one  hundred  dollars  hereby  tendered  and  paid 
shall  not  be  needed  for  the  piu'pose  herein  before  indicated,  the  com- 
mittee are  authorized  by  the  donors  of  said  sum,  to  recommend  and 
request  that  the  same  be  paid  to  the  secretary  of  Domestic  Missions, 
to  be  used  for  the  piu'poses  of  that  committee.  The  committee  further 
recommend  that  the  board  of  trustees  incorporated  by  said  charter 
be  requested  and  instructed  to  take  proper  steps,  at  the  earliest  auspi- 
cious period,  to  obtain  charters  from  other  State  legislatures. 

P.  25.     The  following  is  the  charter  referred  to  in  the  above  report : 

An  Act  to  Incokpokate  the  Trustees  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly  of  the  Peesbt- 

TEKIAN  ChUECH  IN  THE  UNITED  StATES. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  tlie  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina, 
and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  aiithority  of  the  same,  that  Thomas  C.  Perrin,  liev. 
B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Samuel  McCorkle,  Joseph  H.  Wilson,  Jesse  H.  Lindsay, 
Robert  Adger,  J.  A.  Ansley,  J.  A.  Crawford,  James  B.  "Walker,  J.  A.  Inglis,  John 
Whiting,  R.  M.  Patton,  Eev.  George  Howe,  D.  D.,  Piev.  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  D  , 
and  William  L.  Mitchell,  and  their  successors  duly  chosen  in  manner  as  herein  di- 
rected, be,  and  they  are  hereby,  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by  the 
name  and  style  of  ' '  The  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States, "  and  by  the  name  and  style  aforesaid,  shall  be  able 
and  capable  to  take  and  hold  all  such  estate,  property,  and  effects  as  may  be  ac- 
qiiired  by  gift,  purchase,  devise,  or  bequest,  to  aid  and  enable  the  said  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  undertake  and  carry  on  the  work  of  Chris- 
tian education,  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions,  of  the  publication  of  such  books, 
tracts  and  papers  as  are  connected  with  the  diffusion  of  religious  literature  and 
learning,  and  of  the  bi;ilding  iip  and  supporting  churches  of  their  faith  and  wor- 
ship in  the  United  States  aforesaid ;  and  all  the  said  estate,  property  and  effects 
that  shall  be  acqirired  by  the  said  trustees  and  their  successors,  at  any  time,  shall 
be  held,  used,  and  disposed  of,  according  to  the  directions  of  the  General  Assembly 
aforesaid ;  provided,  that  the  proj)erty,  real  and  personal,  held  or  possessed  by  said 
corporation  shall  not  exceed  two  million  dollars. 

Section  2.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  said  trustees,  and  their  successors,  shall 
have  and  use  a  common  seal,  and  alter  the  same  at  pleasure,  and,  by  the  name 
aforesaid,  may  sue  and  be  sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded  ;  and  they  are  hereby  au- 
thorized to  make  all  by-laws  and  ordinances,  prescribe  the  duties  and  qualifications 
of  their  officers,  elect  such  officers  as  are  necessary,  and  do  anything  proper  or  in- 
cident to  the  due  government  and  siipport  of  the  corporation,  and  for  the  manage- 
ment of  the  funds  and  revenues  thereof ;  provided  such  by-laws,  ordinances,  or  acts 
done,  shall  not  be  repugnant  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  or  this  State, 
or  any  direction  of  the  said  General  Assembly. 

Section  3.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  said  corporation  shall  consist  of  fifteen 
persons,  unless  the  said  General  Assembly  shall,  at  some  future  time,  change  that 
number,  five  of  whom  shall  be  sufficient  for  the  transaction  of  any  business  ;  and 
as  vacancies  may  occur,  said  General  Assembly,  at  their  pleasure,  may  hll  them. 

Section  4.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  if  the  General  Assembly  shall  establish 
any  committees,  boards,  or  agencies,  for  any  of  the  j^urposes  recited  in  section  first, 
the  same  shall  be  held  and  deemed  to  be  branches  of  this  incorporation  ;  and  if 
any  gift,  grant,  sale,  devise,  or  bequest,  shall  be  made  to  the  ' '  trustees  of  the  Gen 
eral  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,"  for  the  use  of  such 
committees,  boards,  or  agencies,  the  same  shall  be  good  and  effectual,  to  pass  to 
such  objects  whenever  the  donor,  gi-antor,  bargainor  or  testator  shall  name  the  afore- 
said corporation  in  general  terms. 

Section  5.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  said  corporation  may  alienate  any  real 
estate  owned  by  them  for  any  of  the  trusts  aforesaid,  and  the  conveyance  shall  be 
executed  by  the  president,  with  the  seal  attached,  and  be  attested  by  a  witness. 

Section  6.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  first  meeting  of  the  persons  named  in 
this  act  as  corporators  shall  be  held  in  the  town  of  Charlotte;  and,  for  the  due  ad- 
ministration of  justice,  after  this  charter  is  accepted,  process  may  be  served  on  any 
officer  of  the  said  corporation,  or  any  of  the  said  trustees. 

Section  7.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  General  Assembly  reserves  the  right 
to  amend  the  charter  hereby  granted,  by  restricting  or  enlarging  its  privileges. 

Section  8.  And,  be  it  further  enacted.  That  this  act  shall  be  in  force  from  and 
after  its  ratification.     (Ratified  the  nineteenth  day  of  February,  A.  D.  1866.) 


Sec.  535.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  325 

Rilling  Elder  E.  Nye  Hutchison  was  appointed  the  principal,  and  Rul- 
ing Elder  J.  A.  Womack,  alternate  agent  of  the  General  Assembly,  to 
receive  the  $100  raised  by  contribution  by  the  ruling  elders  of  tliis  As- 
sembly, for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  tax  required  by  the  laws  of  North 
Carolina,  in  (n-der  that  an  organization  may  be  had  under  the  charter 
gi'anted  by  that  State  to  this  body,  as  recommended  by  the  report  of 
the  special  committee  on  the  subject  of  the  charter. 

(This  charter  was  later  amended  and  enlarged.     See  below.  — A. ) 

1868,  p.  298.  The  trustees  effected  a  legal  organization  as  a  coipo- 
rate  body  under  the  above  charier  granted  by  the  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina, in  the  town  of  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  May  15th,  1808,  and  submitted 
their  first  annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly  of  that  year. 

535.  AjypUcation  for  a  new  charter. 

1869,  p.  390.  liesolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  and  having  enacted  a 
new  and  comprehensive  charter  for  this  body,  and  that  for  this  piu'pose 
they  be  empowered  to  employ  competent  legal  counsel. 

The  moderator  announced  the  following  committee,  to  act  with  the 
present  trustees  of  the  General  xlssembly  in  procux'ing  a  new  charter  : 
A.  D.  Dickinson,  J.  J".  Gresham,  and  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.  This  commit- 
tee was  instructed  to  secure,  if  practicable,  a  provision  in  the  said 
charter  by  which  the  secretaries  of  Foreign  Missions,  Sustentation, 
Publication,  and  Education,  shall  be  ex-qfficio  members  of  the  board  of 
trustees. 

1870,  p.  532.  This  committee  submitted  a  repori,  which,  as  amended 
and  ado2)ted,  is  as  follows  : 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of  the  charter  of  the 
board  of  trustees  begs  leave  to  report  that,  after  mature  consideration, 
it  is  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  present  charter,  obtained  from  the  State 
of  Kortli  Carolina,  is  ample  in  its  provisions  for  all  the  actual  necessities 
of  our  Church ;  and  that  the  enactment  of  such  by-laws  or  regulations 
as  may  be  necessary  can  be  made  by  the  General  Assembly  under  the 
provisions  of  the  charter. 

The  difficulties  which  presented  themselves  to  the  last  General  As- 
sembly, and, led  to  the  appointment  of  this  committee,  are  supposed  to 
have  been  the  following,  viz. : 

1.  No  seat  for  the  operations  of  the  trustees  has  been  established, 
and  it  is  understood  they  have  held  meetings  outside  of  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  whicli,  it  A\as  believed,  would  render  their  proceedings 
enacted  at  such  meeting  null  and  void,  xnider  decisions  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States. 

2.  The  scattered  character  of  the  board  of  trustees  renders  it  diffi- 
cult to  obtain  a  quorum. 

3.  The  charter  makes  the  executive  committees  of  the  Assembh' 
branches  of  the  corjjoration,  but  points  out  no  method  by  which  this 
provisit)n  can  be  made  available. 

4.  The  existing  order  of  the  General  Assembly,  authorizing  and  di- 
recting the  trustees  to  obtain  the  enactment  of  the  same  charter  by 
other  States  besides  North  Carolina,  it  was  feared,  would  have  the  effect 
to  create  confusion,  and  render  it  difficult  to  identify  the  corporation. 

Whether  all  these  difficulties  are  real  or  onlv  imaginary,  it  is  not 


326  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

necessaiy  to  discuss.  The  practical  and  important  fact  is,  that  the 
remedy  is  in  the  power  of  the  General  Assembly',  without  the  necessity 
of  an}'  new  act  of  incorporation,  or  any  amendment  of  the  present  one. 
The  provisions  of  oiu-  charter  are  liberal  and  ample,  and  by  its  express 
terms  the  General  Assembly  has  the  appointment  of  the  trustees,  and 
the  regulation  of  their  tenm-e  of  olfice ;  and  "no  by-laws,  ordinances,  or 
acts  done,"  are  valid  if  "repugnant"  to  "any  direction  of  the  General 
Assembly."  Moreover,  all  the  property  which  may  be  acquired  by  the 
trustees  "  shall  be  held,  used,  and  disposed  of  according  to  the  direc- 
tions of  the  General  Assembly."  No  charter  could  give  the  Assembly 
more  complete  control  of  the  corporation. 

The  committee  therefore  recommend  that  no  effort  be  made  to  obtain 
a  new  act  of  incorjioration  from  any  other  State,  but  that  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  be  adopted,  to  give  greater  efficiency  to  the  present  cor- 
poration, viz. : 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  seat  of  the  operations  of  the  board  of  trvistees 
be  established  at  Charlotte,  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  that 
the  trustees  be  directed  to  hold  all  their  meetings  at  Charlotte,  unless 
circumstances  make  it  advisable  to  meet  in  some  other  place. 

Ilesolved,  2,  That  a  sufficient  niimber  of  trustees  be  elected,  re- 
siding in  Charlotte  or  its  immediate  vicinity,  to  make  a  quorum  of 
the  board. 

In  order  to  give  effect  to  the  provision  of  the  charter  which  consti- 
tutes the  executive  committees  of  the  Assembly  branches  of  the  cor- 
poration, 

Resolved,  That  the  secretaries  of  Education,  Foreign  Missions,  Pub- 
hcation  and  Sustentation  shall  be  e.r-ofjteio  trustees,  in  addition  to  the 
number  required  b}'  existing  by-laws. 

The  trustees  are  directed  to  consider  the  subject  of  this  resolution 
at  their  first  meeting  after  the  rising  of  this  Assembly,  and,  after  con- 
ference with  the  executive  committees,  and  in  concurrence  with  them, 
to  take  such  action  and  establish  such  additional  by-laws  as  may  be 
necessary  to  give  practical  effect  to  the  provision  of  the  charter  alluded 
to.  The  trustees  are  further  directed  to  make  a  full  report  of  their 
proceedings  in  the  premises  to  the  next  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  the  number  of  the  trustees  be  gradually  reduced  to 
nine,  in  addition  to  the  secretaries  aforesaid ;  and  that,  in  order  to  do  this, 
at  every  election  three  persons  shall  be  appointed  to  lill  the  vacancies 
which  annually  occur. 

Resolved,  That  the  resolutions  adopted  by  previous  Assemblies,  au- 
thorizing the  trustees  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  same  charter  by 
legislatures  of  other  States  besides  North  Carolina,  be  rescinded. 

536   Secretaries  of  the  ceeciitive  committees  as  ex.-ojfcio  members  of 

the  hoard. 

1872,  p.  166.  The  trustees  having  complained  of  the  embarrass- 
ment produced  by  the  order  of  1870  (see  above)  constituting  the  secre- 
taries of  the  executive  committees  e.r-officio  members  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  and  haAdng  set  forth  the  legal  difficulties  that  such  order  gives 
rise  to  (1872,  p.  210),  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  concur  with  the  trustees  of  the  General 
Assembly  as  to  the  difficulty  of  the  secretaries  of  our  executive  commit- 
tees being  ex-op'cio  members  of  the  ('orpt)ration  of  the  trustees  of  the 


Sec.  537.  J 


The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  327 


General  Assembly ;  but  if  membei's  at  all,  they  should,  as  persons  by 
name,  be  duly  appointed  members  of  the  corj)oration. 

537.  jRelations  between  the  executive  committees  rind  the  board  of 

trustees. 

1873,  J).  305.  A  paper  was  read  from  the  Executive  Committee  of 
Susteutation  in  regard  to  the  relation  it  sustains  to  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  General  Assembly.  This  was  referred  to  a  special  commit- 
tee, consisting  of  W.  O.  N.  Perkins,  A.  P.  Smith,  N.  ^McKay,  D.  D.,  L. 
J.  Rothrock,  and  E.  M.  Patton. 

P.  319.  The  rejjort  of  this  committee  was  adopted,  and,  so  far  as  it 
bears  on  this  point,  is  as  follows : 

Your  committee  have  considered  the  differences  existing  between 
these  co-ordinate  agencies  of  the  General  Assembly  with  an  earnest 
inquiry  for  the  truth,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  serve  the  best  interests 
of  the  Church  and  the  advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom  upon  the 
earth. 

It  is  considered  by  yoiu*  committee  that  the  oi'ganization  of  the  cor- 
poration, in  May,  18G8,  under  the  chai'ter  of  1866,  is  the  only  legal  or- 
ganization, and  embodies  the  life  and  legal  existence  of  this  body  and 
all  its  co-ordinate  branches.  As  all  charters  are  construed  strictly,  and 
no  powers  are  taken  or  enjoyed  under  them  by  implication,  we  ai'e 
forced  to  confine  our  investigations  to  the  literal  terms  of  that  charter, 
the  by-laws  framed  imder  it,  and  the  subsequent  action  of  the  Assem- 
blies pertinent  to  it.  The  charter  of  1861  was  proposed,  but  not 
passed,  and  all  resolutions  based  upon  it  we  are  constrained  to  ignore. 
We  therefore  consider  that,  under  the  charter  of  1868,  a  strict  compli- 
ance with  the  fourth  section  required  that  the  General  Assembly  should 
have  formally  established  her  executive  committees ;  but,  inasmuch  as 
said  committees  have  from  year  to  year  been  actually  recognized,  and 
from  year  to  year  appointed,  your  committee  believe  that  they  are,  to  all 
intents  and  purjioses,  legally  estabhshed.  The  fourth  section  declares 
that  if  the  Assembly  "shall  establish  any  committees,"  etc.  While 
there  is  a  radical  difference  between  the  establishment  of  a  committee 
of  such  great  necessitj^  and  such  vital  power,  and  their  annual  appoint- 
ment, we  nevertheless  believe  that  the  recognition  of  these  commit- 
tees, their  actings  and  doings,  by  the  General  Assemblies  for  foiu'  suc- 
cessive years  renders  them  sufficiently  estabhshed  to  make  their  as- 
sumption of  i^ower  and  authority  entirely  legal. 

The  said  fourth  section  further  declares  that,  if  any  gift  shall  be 
made  to  the  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  ui  the  United  States  for  the  use  of  such  committees,  the  same 
shall  be  good  and  effectual  to  pass  to  such  objects  whenever  the  donor 
shall  name  the  corporation  in  general  terms.  Now,  the  words  "Trus- 
tees of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States"  are  separated  and  emphasized  by  quotation  marks,  and  evi- 
dently were  intended  as  a  provision  which  would  justify  the  ti'ustees 
in  passing  such  a  gift  to  the  appropriate  committee,  notwithstanding 
the  gift  was  simply  to  the  trustees.  It  does  not  say  that  such  gift 
shall  pass  immediately,  nor  as  a  matter  of  right,  but  it  shcdl  be  good 
and  e^ff'ectual  to  j>ass.  Even  in  such  a  case  it  may  be  seriously  ques- 
tioned whether  a  gift  in  general  terms,  which  did  not  specify  the  par- 
ticular charity  or  use  for  which  it  was  designed,  could  pass  to  any  com- 


328  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

mittee  until  the  General  Assembly  should  direct  what  use  or  what 
particular  charity  should  be  the  beneficiary  thereof.     This  clause  in 
the  fourth  section  is  .specific  and  precise,  and  provides  onty  for  one 
particular  class  of   cases — a  class  where  bequests  are  made  to  "the 
Trustees   of  the   General  Assembly  of   the  Presbyterian   Church  in 
the  United  States,"  and  the  donor  names  said  corporation  in  general 
terms.     It  does  not  appear  that  a  gift  made  in  any  other  way,  but  not 
specifying  the  particular  charity,  would  or  could  pass  directly  to  the 
committee,  but  must  wait  the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly. 
This  ^dew  of  the  case  is  especially  strengthened  by  the  tenth  by-law  of 
the  board  of  trustees,  passed  in  1868,  which  seems  to  have  received  the 
solemn,  sanction  of  the  Assembly,  and,  so  far  as  we  can  ascertain,  re- 
mains of  force,  and  is  binding  ujDon  the  Assembly  and  the  board. 
This  by-law  declares  the  board  shall  make  no  apphcation  of  funds  until 
ordered  by  the  General  Assembly,  unless  directed  to  do  so  by  the  giver. 
The  plausible  assumption  that  these  committees  are,  de  facto,   the 
General  Assembly  during  the  intervals  between  its  sessions,  and  there- 
fore can  rightfully  command  the  trustees  to  pay  over  any  and  all  be- 
quests, we  think,  cannot  be  legally  sustained  under  the  strict  construc- 
tion of  the  charter  of  1868  and  the  accepted  by-laws  of  the  board  of 
rtrustees.     That  these  committees,  when  established,  are  branches  of 
the  incorporation,  is  clearly  set  forth  in  the  charter,  and,  as  such,  they 
have  a  continuous  vitality — a  continuous  power  of  executing  the  will  of 
the  Assembly,  but  they  are  not  the  General  Assembly.     They  have  no 
self-creating  power.     They  are  simply  the  Assembly's  agents, — its  in- 
struments, its  hands, — and  can  do  nothing  except  what  the  Assembly 
has  authorized  and  instructed  them  to  do.     The  charter  gives  the  com- 
mittees no  extraneous  or  independent  power,  but  onAj  qualifies  them 
to  be  the  legal  recipients  of  such  funds  as  might  otherwise  possibly 
lapse  or  fail  by  reason  of  misnomer  on  the  part  of  the  donor.     The 
Very  section  that  declares  them  to  be  branches  qualifies  and  limits  their 
power  of  receiving  bequests  to  that  class  of  gifts  which  are  specifically 
made  "  to  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presb\'terian 
Church  in  the  United  States."     Nor  does  the  said  section  declare  that, 
even  in  such  cases,  the  gift  or  bequest  sludl  pass,  but  that  it  shall  be 
"  good  and  effectual  to  pass" — that  is,  it  may  legally  pass,  ur  that  the 
trustees  will  be  justified  in  passing.     If  a  bequest  is,  in  general  terms, 
to  the  trustees,  without  specifying  which  charity  shall  have  it,  who  but 
the  General  Assembly  itself,  in  actual  session,  could  rightfully  dispose 
of  it ''':     What  committee  could  rightfully  receipt  for  it  ?     Whose  voucher 
would  protect  the  trustees  from  individual  responsibility  to  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  donors"?     The  consideration  of  all  these  questions, 
and  the  vmcertain  and  conflicting  action  of  past  Assemblies,  seem  to 
demand  such  special  and  decided  legislation  at  the  hands  of  this  vener- 
able court  as  will  clearly'  and  distinctly  define  for  the  future  the  pre- 
cise spheres  and  duties  of  the  committees  and  the  board  of  trustees. 
We  deeply  feel  the  responsibility  of  advising  the  Assembly  upon  a  mat- 
ter so  important,  and,  about  which  the  oldest,  purest,  and  most  experi- 
en(;ed  of  oiu-  commissioners  have  widely  difiered.     On  the  one  hand, 
we  must  respect  the  dignity  and  prudence  of  that  high  body  who  are 
the  Assembly's  chosen  corpcjrators,  and  through  whom   all  bequests 
must  come,  and  who  certainly  have  no  interest  to  serve  but  that  of  the 
Chiu-ch.     To  regard  them  as  mere  automatons,  without  power  or  discre- 


Sec.  538.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chitrch.  329 

tion,  and  subject  at  all  times  to  the  dictation  of  the  Assembly's  commit- 
tees, would  seem  to  be  a  degradation  of  theii*  high  office ;  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  we  hesitate  to  recommend  any  action  that  will  cramp  the 
sinews  of  our  Church  organization — an  organization  wliich  has  its  veiy 
life-blood  bound  up  and  flowing  through  the  arteries  of  these  executive 
committees.  They  are  the  power  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch.  Through 
them  the  good  work  of  the  Chm'ch  is  constantly,  vigilantl}',  and  aggres- 
sively going  on.  They  are  our  chosen  and  trusted  agents.  Of  them 
we  have  no  fear  or  apiDrehension ;  and  it  has  been  the  honor  and  pride 
of  the  Church  throughout  the  land  that,  while  they  have  shown  no 
want  of  diligence,  no  remissness  of  duty,  no  breach  of  trust,  they  have, 
at  the  same  time,  exhibited  the  highest  degree  of  sound  and  successful 
judgment.  We  hesitate  to  recommend  such  action  as  Avill  hmit  the 
power  or  authority  of  such  agencies,  and  would  fain  refer  these  ques- 
tions back  to  the  l^etter  and  more  experienced  judgment  of  the  Assem- 
bly. AVe  will,  however,  so  far  trust  ourselves  as  to  present  to  this  As- 
sembly a  recommendation  which  our  judgment  has  constrained  us  to 
make,  at  the  same  time  congratulating  ourselves  that,  if  our  sugges- 
tions are  adopted,  they  cannot  work  irreparable  mischief  dm'ing  the 
ensuing  year,  and  if  fomid  to  work  unsatisfactorily,  can  then  be  modi- 
lied  or  repealed. 

Yoiu'  committee,  therefore,  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following 
resolutions : 

That,  hereafter,  when  the  trustees  shall  receive  any  gift,  devise,  or 
bequest,  without  direction  from  the  donor  as  to  the  particular  use  or 
chai'ity  for  which  it  is  designed,  the  same  shall  be  retained  by  them 
until  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Asseml^ly. 

That,  whenever  the  donor  declares  the  particular  use,  and  the  man- 
nei'  of  its  use,  the  trustees  shall  pay  over  the  same  to  the  appropriate 
committees. 

That,  when  the  donor  declares  the  particular  object  of  his  charity, 
but  not  the  manner  of  its  use,  the  same  shall  be  paid  over  to  the  execu- 
tive committee  of  such  use,  unless  the  gift  or  bequest  to  that  use  shall 
exceed  the  sum  of  $3,000,  in  which  case  the  trustees  shall  pay  over  only 
the  interest  as  it  accrues,  and  the  next  General  Assembly  shall  dispose 
of  the  principal. 

That,  in  all  other  cases  nt)t  embraced  in  the  above  resolutions,  the 
trustees  shall  retain  and  control  the  fund  until  instructed  by  the  As- 
sembly as  to  its  disposition. 

That  the  several  executive  committees  which  have  been  and  are  now 
at  work  as  the  Assembly's  agents  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  estabhshed 
as  the  executive  committees  for  the  purpose  recited  in  the  first  section 
of  the  act  of  inc^orijoration ;  and  all  the  actings  and  doings  of  said  com- 
mittees which  have  been  heretofore  approved  by  the  Assembly  ai-e  now 
ratified  and  confirmed. 

The  regulation  adopted  above,  restricting  the  trusteis  in  paving  over  to  the  execu- 
tive committees  amounts  in  excess  of  the  sum  of  f  3,0()(»,  was  repealed  1886  (p.  55). 
See  below,  method  of  distributing  legacies.  — A. 

538.    77/('  chui'U'r  amended  and  enlarged. 

1871,  p.  27.     The  following  was  adopted: 

The  report  of  the  Committee  <in  Relief  for  the  Widows  and  Children 
of  Deceased  Ministers,  recommends  the  Assembly  to  adopt  the  proper 


330  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  IV. 

meaxis  to  liave  the  charter  so  enlarged  as  to  enable  the  "  Trustees  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  "  to  hold  the  funds  for  such 
purpose,  and  also  for  other  eleemosynary  objects  of  the  Chui-ch.  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  trustees  be  requested  to  apply  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  North  Carolina  for  an  enlargement  of  their  powers  in  this  re- 
spect ;  and  that  a  copy  of  this  proceeding  be  furnished  by  the  stated 
clerk  to  said  trustees. 

1872,  p.  211.     Extract  from  the  report  of  the  board  of  trustees: 

In  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  apph- 
cation  was  made  to  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  to  amend  the 
charter  of  incorporation,  so  as  to  enable  the  trustees  to  hold  the  funds 
that  may  be  contributed  for  the  relief  of  the  widows  and  children  of  de- 
ceased ministers,  and  for  other  eleemosynary  objects  of  the  Church, 
which  apphcation  was  granted,  and  the  charter  amended  in  the  first 
section:  between  the  words,  "learning"  and  "and,"  insert  "for  the  re- 
hef  of  invalid  ministers  and  the  widows  and  children  of  deceased  min- 
isters, and  all  other  benevolent  objects  of  the  Church." 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by  order  of  the  board. 

539.    Claim  of  the  Clnirch  to  certain  property  vnthin  the  Confederate 

States. 

1861,  p.  12.  W.  P.  Webb  offered  a  resolution  touching  the  claims  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America  to  pro- 
perty, the  title  to  which  has  heretofore  been  vested  in  the  several 
boards  of  trustees  in  connection  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  which  resolution,  together 
with  the  whole  subject,  was,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Pryor,  referred  to  a 
special  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Webb,  Mitchell,  Perrin,  Shep- 
herd, Gregory,  Johnstone  and  Forward. 

P.  33.    This  committee  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted : 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  resolution  "to  make  such 
enqmries  and  suggest  such  action  as  may  be  necessary  to  secure  the 
rights  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  to  all  pro- 
perty to  which  it  has  a  legal  or  equitable  claim,"  beg  leave  to  make  the 
following  report : 

The  committee  have  not  had  access  to  such  sources  of  information 
as  would  enable  them  to  ascertain  fully  the  nature,  value  and  amoimt 
of  property  to  which  this  Church  has  a  just  or  equitable  claim  ;  nor  do 
they  deem  it  at  all  necessary  that  this  Assembly  should  have  a  detailed 
statement  of  any  or  all  such  property,  in  order  that  they  may  secure 
and  protect  the  just  rights  and  interests  of  the  Chvu'ch. 

They  would,  however,  state:  they  have  ascertained  that  there  is  a 
large  amount  of  valuable  property,  both  real  and  personal,  within  the 
Confederate  States,  which  was  originally  donated  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  or  to  the  several 
boards  of  that  Church,  all  of  which  now,  in  the  opinion  of  your  commit- 
tee, justly  and  e(iuitably  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States  of  America. 

The  committee  have  also  had  under  consideration  the  Act  of  the  Con- 
federate Congress,  known  as  the  "Sequestration  Act,"  which  was  re- 
ferred to  in  tlie  discussions  of  the  Assembly ;  but  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duty  assigned  to  the  committee,  they  have  not  thought  it  necessary 


Secs.  540,541.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  331 

fiu'ther  to  consider  or  discuss  the  provisions  of  that  Act,  which  must  be 
remitted  to  the  judicial  tribunals  of  the  Confederate  States,  which  are 
charged  with  its  construction  and  execution. 

Since  the  appointment  of  this  committee,  a  report  has  been  submit- 
ted to  the  Assembly  by  the  Committee  on  Charters,  which  recommends 
the  appointment  by  the  Assembly  of  a  board  of  trustees,  who  shall  pro- 
cure an  Act  of  Incorporation,  by  which  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States  may  be  authorized  to  acquire  and  hold  all  the  pro- 
perty to  Avhich  this  Church  may  now  be,  or  hereafter  shall  become,  en- 
titled in  any  manner. 

The  api^ointment  of  such  board  of  trustees,  in  the  opinion  of  youi' 
committee,  supersedes  the  necessity  of  any  further  action  on  the  part 
of  this  Assembly,  inasmuch  as  the  said  trustees  will  be  the  proper  per- 
sons in  law  and  in  fact  to  represent,  secure  and  protect,  all  the  rights  and 
interests  of  this  Church  to  all  the  property  which  justly  and  equitably 
belongs  to  it. 

Your  committee  would  therefore  respectfully  recommend  to  the  As- 
sembly, that  the  said  board  of  trustees,  when  they  are  duly  appointed 
and  incorporated,  be  authorized  and  instructed  to  take  such  action  and 
institute  such  proceedings  as  they  may  think  necessary  to  seciu'e  and 
protect  the  rights  of  this  Church  to  any  property  to  which  it  may  have 
any  legal  or  equitable  claim. 

The  committee,  therefore,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
resolution : 

Mesolved,  That  the  trustees  appointed  by  this  Assembly  be,  and  they 
are  hereby,  authorized  and  instructed  to  take  such  action  and  institute 
such  proceedings  as  may  be  necessary  to  secure  and  protect  the  rights 
of  this  Church  to  all  j)roperty  to  which  it  has  any  jiist  or  equitable 
claim. 

540.  TS-iiMecx  to  pay  over  bequests  to  the  apjiropriatc  e.recxitive  com- 

mittees. 

1861,  p.  38.  T.  C.  Perrin  presented  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted : 

Hesolved,  That  the  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  whenever 
fimds  by  Avay  of  gift,  devise  or  bequest  shall  come  intt)  their  hands  for 
either  of  the  executive  committees  of  the  Assembly,  established  at  its 
present  session,  be  directed  to  pay  over  the  said  funds  to  the  treasui'er 
of  the  executive  committee  which  is  designated  in  the  gift,  devise  or 
bequest ;  and  the  release  of  the  treasvu'er  of  such  executive  committee 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  trustees  shall  be  siifficieut  to  serve  as  a  discharge 
to  the  trustees. 

541.  Foi-iii  (if  bequest  or  testamentary  donatio?i  reco7nmen(le<I  by  the 

board  of  trustees 

18()8,  p.  299.  "  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  '  the  Trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,' — 
(here  insert  the  estate  devised  and  becpieathed) — for  the  use  and  bene- 
fit of  said  Church." 

In  case  the  testator  desires  to  give  a  special  direction  to  his  devise  or 
bequest,  omit  the  words  "for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  Church,"  and 
add,  "for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Committee  of  Sustentation  of  said 
Church,"  or  "  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Committee  of  Foreitni  Mis- 


332  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IV. 

sions  of  said  Church,"  or  "  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Committee  of 
Pubhcation  of  said  Church,"  or  "  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Education  of  said  Church." 

1886,  p.  55.  The  board  of  trustees  is  authorized  to  have  printed  a 
form  of  devise,  beqiiest  or  grant  to  the  board,  such  as  will  be  effectual 
in  law  to  make  the  gift  vaUd;  which  forms  may  be  printed  in  such 
shape  as  will  be  adapted  for  hanging  upon  the  walls  of  chiu'ch  buildings, 
and  be  distributed  for  that  purpose  in  such  manner  as  the  board  deems 
best. 

1887,  p.  216.  The  board  of  trustees  are  directed  to  prepare  and 
pubhsh  "Forms  of  Bequest "  adapted  to  each  of  the  Assembly's  bene- 
volent schemes,  and  suitably  advertise  these  "Forms." 

542  By-laws  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
terian  Church  in  the  United  States." 

1868,  p.  298.     Record  of  approval,  p.  270. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  corporation  shall  consist  of  u  president,  vice-president,  sec- 
retary, and  treasurer,  to  be  elected  annually  by  the  trustees,  or  a  majority  of  those 
present,  who  shall  continue  in  office  until  successors  shall  be  chosen  and  enter  upon 
their  respective  offices. 

2.  The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be  to  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the  trustees  and 
preserve  order ;  to  supervise  the  business  and  action  of  the  other  officers  in  relation 
thereto ;  to  superintend  all  transfers  of  property  to  or  from  the  corporation,  and 
the  investment  of  its  funds ;  to  see  that  the  conveyances  are  in  proper  form,  and 
good  and  sufficient  in  law  to  effect  the  purpose  intended ;  to  bring  to  the  attention 
of  the  trustees  all  gifts,  conveyances,  devises,  and  bequests ;  and  under  the  advice 
of  the  trustees,  or  the  executive  committee,  to  order  and  direct  all  suits  at  law  and 
in  equity,  to  recover,  possess,  and  protect  the  property  and  effects  therein  con- 
tained ;  and  to  enable  him  to  perform  his  duty,  he  shall  at  all  times  have  free  ac- 
cess to  the  books  and  pajjers  of  the  cori^oration  in  the  hands  of  any  officer  thereof, 
and  shall  report  to  the  trustees  at  any  meeting  all  improper  conduct  or  omission  in 
the  discharge  of  duty  on  the  part  of  any  officer. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vice-president,  in  the  absence  of  the  president,  to 
preside  at  the  meetings ;  and,  in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of  president  from  anj' 
cause,  to  discharge  the  duties  of  president. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  keep  in  writing  an  exact  account  of 
all  the  meetings  of  the  trustees,  and  to  record  the  same  in  a  book  kept  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  to  conduct  all  the  correspondence,  except  such  as  may  necessarily  devolve 
upon  the  president. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  d  uty  of  the  treasurer  to  keep  safely  all  the  money  and  funds 
of  the  corporation ;  to  keejD  a  correct  account  of  all  the  receipts  and  expenditures, 
the  choses  in  action,  evidences  of  indebtedness  and  title  papers ;  and  to  make  a  re- 
port thereon  at  the  annual  meeting,  setting  forth  the  amount  and  condition  thereof, 
with  such  remarks  as  he  may  choose  to  make. 

6.  The  offices  of  secretary  and  treasurer  may  be  filled  by  one  and  the  same  person. 

7.  The  treasurer  shall  give  bond  and  security  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  duty, 
the  amount  to  be  prescril)ed  bj'  the  trustees  or  executive  committee,  with  the  right 
to  increase  the  amount  at  pleasure;  to  be  approved  by  the  executive  committee, 
and  kept  bj'  the  president. 

8.  Vacancies  in  any  of  the  offices  may  be  tilled  by  thi>  order  of  the  trustees;  and 
if  at  any  meeting  of  the  trustees  the  president  and  vice-president  shall  both  be  ab- 
sent, the  trustees  shall  have  the  power  to  appoint  a  i3 resident  pro  tevi. 

9.  The  officers  shall  Ije  an  executive  committee,  who,  in  the  absence  of  instruc- 
ticms  upon  the  particular  subject-matter,  shall  have  the  power  of  the  trustees  dur- 
ing the  interval  between  their  meetings,  subject  to  revision  by  the  board  of  trustees 
at  an  annual  meeting.        ^ 

10.  The  trustees,  at  all  times  and  in  all  matters  i^ertaining  to  the  corporation, 
shall  be  subject  to  the  control,  orders,  and  directions  of  the  General  Assembly.  No 
application  of  the  funds  shall  be  made  without  such  orders,  imless  directed  by  the 
giver,  whose  instructions  in  all  cases  shall  be  strictly  ^carried  out. 

11.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  trustees  shall  be  on  the  second  Thursday  in  May 


Secs.  543-54:7.]  The  Agexcies  of  the  Church.  333 

of  each  year,  to  be  lieUl  at  such  place  as  the  tnistees  maj'  appoint  at  an  annual 
meetin;^. 

12.  The  president  shall  have  power  to  call  extra  meetinf^s  of  the  trustees  at  his 
discretion,  tixing  the  time  and  place ;  and  it  shall  be  his  diity,  upon  the  request  of 
two  of  the  trustees,  to  call  such  meetings. 

13.  The  trustees  shall  make  an  annual  report  of  their  proceedings  and  the  state 
of  the  funds  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  signed  by  the  president. 

14.  The  corjjoration  shall  have  and  iise  a  seal  of  metal,  with  the  following  in- 
scription: "Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,"  with  the  anchor  as  a  de- 
vice, and  the  motto,  "I.  H.  S.  —  Spes  Nostra. " 

15.  The  seal  shall  be  and  remain  in  the  custody  of  the  president. 

IG.  The  expenses  of  the  trustees  in  attending  the  meetings  of  the  corporation 
shall  be  paid  out  of  any  money  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  not  otherwise  appro- 
priated. 

17.  These  by-laws  may  be  amended  under  the  orders  of  the  General  Assembly, 
or  by  a  majority  of  the  triastees  present  at  an  annual  meeting. 

1872,  p.  209.  By-law  number  11  has  been  amended  by  striking  out  the  words 
' '  such  place  as  the  trustees  may  appoint  at  an  annual  meeting "  and  insei-ting 
"Charlotte,  N.  C,"  and  by  striking  out  "second  "  and  inserting  "first,"  as  to  the 
time  of  meeting. 

543.   Trustees  divided  into  three  classes. 

1868,  p.  270.  The  trustees  llH^dng•  suggested  in  their  report  that 
the  number  of  trustees  be  reduced  by  the  General  Assembly  to  nine, 
the  committee  recommend  that  no  change  be  made  in  this  particular. 
It  is  further  recommended  that  the  present  number  of  trustees,  which 
is  fifteen,  be  divided  into  three  classes  of  five  each,  of  whom  the  first 
class  shall  be  appointed  to  hold  office  for  one  year,  the  second  class  for 
two  yeai'S,  the  third  class  for  three  years,  and  that,  as  the  term  of  of- 
fice of  these  classes  shall  severally  expire,  the  vacancy  annually  occiu'- 
ring  shall  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of  five  trustees,  who  shall  serve 
for  three  yeai's. 

The  number  was  reduced  gradually  to  nine,  beginning  in  1870  (see  above  Sec.  535). 

544.  Seal. 

1869,  p.  375.  From  the  report  of  the  president  of  the  board :  The 
trustees  have  procured  a  seal  which  they  think  is  neat  and  appropriate, 
and  makes  a  pretty  and  perfect  impression.  To  Dr.  Howe  is  due  the 
credit  of  the  design  and  execution  of  the  seal. 

545.  Executive  committees  to  defray  the  expense  of  securing  certain 

legacies. 

1870,  \).  532.  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committees  of  Educa- 
tion, Foreign  Missions,  Pubhcation  and  Sustentation  be  authorized  to 
defray,  pro  rata,  the  nece?f:ary  expenses  of  the  trustees  which  may  be 
incurred  in  securing  the  legacies  to  which  the  aforesaid  report  relates 
(the  Fitzgerald  and  Kennedy  legacies),  to  be  refimded  out  of  said 
legacies. 

546.  Reports  to  be  published. 
1870,  p.  56.     The  annual  reports  of  the  board  required  to  be  pub- 
hshed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  annual  Minutes. 

547.   Trustees  holding  over. 

1879,  p.  57.  AMien,  for  any  reason,  the  places  of  membei's  of  the 
board  whose  terms  expire  are  not  filled  at  a  meeting  of  the  Assembly, 
such  members  hold  over  until  their  successors  iU'e  elected. 


334  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

548.  Treasurer  of  the  hoard. 

1883,  p.  54.  The  trustees  are  authorized  to  allow  their  treasurer 
reasonable  compensation,  and  they  are  allowed  to  appoint  a  treasurer 
who  is  not  a  trustee,  if  they  deem  such  an  appointment  desirable. 

549.  JSlethod  of  distrlhating  legacies. 

1886,  p.  55.  Resolved,  1,  When  a  bequest  has  been  made  to  the 
trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  paid  to  two  or  more  of  the 
executive  committees  of  the  Church,  and  the  terms  of  the  bequest  do 
not  specify  the  proportion  according  to  which  the  amount  of  the  be- 
quest shall  be  divided  among  the  committees,  the  board  of  trustees  is 
authorized  and  instructed  to  divide  the  amount  between  the  several  ex- 
ecutive committees  for  whom  the  bequest  is  intended,  according  to  the 
proportion  of  the  annual  contributions  of  the  churches  (excluding  lega- 
cies) to  these  committees  for  the  three  years  next  preceding  the  time 
when  the  amount  is  divided. 

2.  When  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  have 
in  its  hands  any  sum  of  money  which  is  specifically  directed  by  the 
donor  to  be  paid  in  prescribed  amounts  to  any  of  the  executive  com- 
mittees of  the  Church,  or  to  any  other  person,  the  board  of  trustees  is 
authorized  to  pay  such  money  without  waiting  for  any  action  to  be 
taken  by  the  Assembly. 

3.  So  much  of  any  orders  heretofore  made  by  the  General  Assembly 
as  conflicts  with  the  provisions  of  the  above  resolutions  is  hereby  re- 
pealed. 

Section  2  was  adopted  in  response  to  the  lecpiest  of  the  board  of  trustees  that  the 
Assembly  -would  remove  the  restriction  preventing  the  board  from  paying  out  to 
parties  named  in  the  deeds  of  gift  any  sums  that  may  exceed  three  thousand  dollars. 
(1886,  p.  90.)— A. 

550.   The  Leonard  legacy. 

1885,  p.  409.  The  board  of  trustees  were  instructed  to  notify  Mrs. 
A.  E.  Leonard,  of  Westfield,  Mass.,  that,  at  her  request,  the  Assembly 
releases  the  trustees  of  her  (deceased)  husband  from  giving  "  security  as 
such,"  her  husband,  the  late  Norman  T.  Leonard,  having  given  the  As- 
sembly, by  his  last  will  and  testament,  two-thirds  of  his  estate  after  the 
death  of  his  widow.     (P.  456.) 

551.    Costs  of  litigating  in  tlie  matter  of  legacies. 

1887,  p.  246.  The  overture  of  the  trustees  asking  for  power,  where 
expenses  are  necessarily  incurred  in  Htigation  as  to  legacies,  to  appro- 
priate for  this  object  amounts  needed  from  any  funds  in  hand  not  other- 
wise appropriated,  was  granted. 

552.  Expenses  of  trustees. 

1878,  p.  337.  It  is  ordered  that  the  trustees  of  the  Assembly  be 
authorized  to  pay  expenses  incurred  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties  out 
of  any  funds  not  otherwise  appropriated. 

553.   JE.rpenses  of  the  president  of  the  hoard. 

1881,  p.  372.  The  board  having  asked  the  Assembly  to  provide  for 
defraying  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  president  of  the  board  in 


Secs.  554-557.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Chi'rch.  335 

attending  the  sessiims  of  the  General  Assembl}^  (p.  422),  the  matter  was 
referred  to  the  auditing  committee,  who  reported  as  follows,  which  was 
adopted : 

Your  committee  cannot  reahze  a  necessity''  for  the  attendance  at  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  there- 
fore offer  no  recommendation  as  to  that  matter. 

554.    Quorum  of  the  honrd. 

The  Assembly  of  1864  fixed  on  jive  as  a  quorum  of  the  trustees  com- 
petent to  transact  business.     (P.  289.) 

555.  President  of  the  board  ex-officio  a  meitiber  of  the  Assenihlij. 

1879,  p.  56.  The  following  suggestion  of  the  auditing  committee  was 
adopted : 

Yoiu:  committee  W(juld  respectfully  suggest  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the 
board  of  trustees  that  their  president  should  be  ex-officio  a  member  of 
the  General  Assembly,  the  same  as  the  secretaries  of  the  various  execu- 
tive committees  are,  that  he  may  be  present  at  the  meetings  of  the  As- 
sembly, so  as  to  explain  the  business  of  the  board  if  desired.  We  re- 
commend that  the  desu'e  be  granted,  if  in  the  wisdom  of  the  Assembly 
it  can  be  done. 

556.  Jlembers  of  the  board  entitled  to  the  2'>rivileges  of  the  floor. 

1886,  p.  55.  Any  member  or  officer  of  the  boai'd  of  trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly,  chosen  by  said  board  for  that  pui'pose,  shall  have 
the  pri^dlege  of  speaking  upon  the  floor  of  the  Assembly  on  any  matter 
pertaining  to  the  business  of  the  board  which  is  under  consideration  by 
the  Assembly. 

557.  Hon.  T.  C.  Perrin. 

1878,  p.  626.  The  committee  to  whom  papers  were  referred  touch- 
ing the  death  of  Hon.  T.  C.  PeiTin,  would  report  that  he  died  at  his 
home  in  Abbeville,  S.  C,  on  the  14th  inst.,  in  the  seventy -thu-d  year  of 
his  age.  He  was  a  hfe-long  citizen  of  his  native  State,  whose  people 
knew  him  well  and  honored  him  as  such.  He  liUed  many  stations  of 
trust  and  confidence,  was  a  man  of  pure  character  and  consistent  hfe, 
maintaining  an  unblemished  reputation  throughout  a  long  and  useful 
career. 

He  was  for  a  long  period  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  as  such  had  fre- 
quent mention  of  his  name  as  a  judicious  adviser  and  a  faithful  officer. 

The  committee  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  this  minute  : 
That  his  pious  hfe,  public  vii'tues  and  faithful  church  service  entitle 
the  Hon.  T.  C.  Perrin  to  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  roll  of  our  honored 
dead,  and  that  his  family  have  the  fi'aternal  sympathy  of  this  Assemlily. 
Adopted. 


336  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  IV. 

CHAPTER  YIII. 

YOLUNTAKY  AGENCIES. 

558.  National  Bible  Society  for  the  Confederate  States. 

1861,  p.  36.  Mesolved.  That  the  General  Assembly  contemplates 
with  the  highest  satisfaction  the  proposed  organization  of  a  National 
Bible  Society  for  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  and  for  which  a 
meeting  or  convention  is  proposed  to  be  held  in  the  city  of  Augusta, 
Ga.,  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  March,  1862;  and  we  take  the  present 
suitable  occasion  to  express  a  hope  that  a  work  so  sacred  and  great  as 
that  to  be  embraced  by  this  catholic  institution  may  receive  the  hearty 
and  liberal  support  of  all  our  people,  churches,  and  judicatories. 

1862,  p.  19.  Resolved,  That  this  Presb}i,ery  send  up  to  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  the  following  overtui*e,  \dz. : 

"  That  the  General  Assembly  would  take  proper  measures  to  ascertain 
and  keep  itself  informed  whether  or  not  the  Bible  Society  of  the  Con- 
federate States  j^ublishes,  or  will  publish,  the  Word  of  God  pure  and 
entire,  and  in  case  it  does,  and  affords  sufl&cient  assurance  that  it  will 
continue  so  to  do,  that  the  Assembly  adopt  that  society  as  its  organ  for 
publishing  and  circulating  the  Holy  Scriptiu'es,  and  enjoin  upon  the 
ministers  and  churches  under  its  care  to  support  it  by  regular  annual 
contributions,  and  require  such  contributions  to  be  reported  by  the 
Presbyteries  and  exhibited  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly." 

Mesolved,  That  this  Presbytery  send  also  a  memorial  to  the  General 
Assembly  in  favor  of  the  above  overture. 

Afisicer :  This  General  Assembly  has  heard  with  much  gratification 
of  the  organization  of  the  Bible  Society  of  the  Confederate  States,  and 
cordially  recommends  it  to  the  favor  and  patronage  of  oiir  churches  and 
people. 

It  does  not  appear  from  the  record  in  what  Presbytery  this  overture  originated. — A. 

559.  American  Bible  Society. 

1866,  p.  38.  Although  it  is  the  ojoinion  of  your  committee  that  this 
society  ought  to  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  different  chtu-ches, 
appointed  through  their  constitutional  forms,  yet,  as  there  is  nothing 
in  its  constitution  to  prevent  the  free  action  of  every  church  in  carry- 
ing forward  the  work,  and  as  its  organization  is  simply  for  the  printing 
and  circulation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  your  committee  recommend  the 
adoption  of  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  1,  That  oiu-  ministers  and  churches  be  earnestly  recom- 
mended to  use  all  proper  efforts  to  promote  the  circulation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  that  the  efforts  of  the  American  Bible  Society  in  this 
behalf  deserve  the  cordial  approbation  of  this  Assembly,  and  recom- 
mend it  to  the  confidence  and  support  of  our  Christian  people. 

2.  That  our  ministers  and  sessions  be  earnestly  recommended  to 
make  the  Bible  cause  a  special  object  in  connection  with  their  contri- 
butions for  Systematic  Benevolence. 


Secs.  560,  561.]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  337 

1868,  p.  272.  liesolved.  That  this  General  Assembly  express  its 
confidence  in  the  work  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  with  acknow- 
ledgment of  the  extent  and  generosity  of  their  benefactions  to  our- 
people,  both  in  the  large  donations  they  have  made  and  are  making  to 
supply  the  destitute,  and  their  magnanimous  recognition  of  the  in- 
ability of  many  of  their  auxiliary  societies  within  our  bounds  to  meet 
theii"  engagements  to  the  parent  society,  or  to  contribute  to  their 
treasur}-. 

187G,  p.  237.  Whereas  the  Bible  is  the  foundation  on  which  rests 
all  our  benevolent  enterprises  underlying  the  missionary  work,  the 
Sabbath-school,  and  the  Chui'ch  itself :  and  whereas  the  American  Bi- 
ble Society  has  been,  and  still  is,  an  efficient  instrumentality  in  accom- 
plishing the  great  work  of  the  distribution  of  the  Scriptures :  therefore, 

Jiesoli'ed,  That  this  General  Assembly  renewedly  commends  the 
American  Bible  Society  to  the  confidence  and  support  of  all  our  chm'ches 
and  congregations. 

1878,  p.  612.  liesolved,  1,  That  we  cordially  recommend  all  our 
ministers  and  churches  to  co-ojaerate  with  said  society  in  its  most  com- 
mendable efforts,  by  colporteurs  and  otherwise,  to  supply  the  world  with 
the  Holy  Scriptures. 

2.  That  our  ministers  be  requested  to  present  the  claims  of  the 
American  Bible  Society  to  their  congregations,  and  take  up  collections 
for  it  or  its  auxiliaries  at  such  times  as  may  be  deemed  most  suitable. 

At  other  places,  such  as  1874,  p.  492;  1877,  p.  409;  1882,  p.  553;  1883,  p.  48; 
1885,  p.  434,  the  Assembly  commeuiled  this  society  to  the  confidence  and  contribu- 
tions' of  its  churches.  — A. 

560.    77ie  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society. 

186G,  \).  27.  The  Assembly  retiu-ns  its  hearty  acknowledgments 
to  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  for  its  generous  relinquish- 
ment of  the  debt  of  $2,500  in  gold  due  to  it  by  the  Publication  Com- 
mittee. 

This  debt  was  for  Bibles  generously  advanced  the  committee  by  that  society  dur- 
ing the  war.      (See  page  GG. ) 

561.    Bible  revision. 

1881,  p.  383.  Inasmuch  as  the  Revised  Version  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, which  has  been  prepared  by  two  committees  of  Christian  scholars 
from  all  the  leading  evangehcal  denominations  of  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States,  has  been  published  and  widely  circulated  ;  and  inas- 
much as  the  language  of  the  Directory  of  Worship  is  that  "the  Scrip- 
tures shall  be  read  from  the  most  approved  version  in  the  vulgar 
tongue" — 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  examine  the  Bevised 
Version  of  the  New  Testament,  and  to  report  thereon  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

This  committee  was  appointed,  to  consist  of  the  Kev.  G.  D.  Aim- 
strong,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  W^  Pratt,  D.  D., 
Rev.  J.  N.  W^addell,  D.  1).,  and  Rev.  Charles  C.  Hersman. 

1882,  p.  524.  This  committee,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the  whole 
subject,  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  that,  in  their  judgment,  it  is 
inexpedient  for  the  Assembly  to  take  any  action  on  the  subject  at  the 
present  time,  for  the  reason  that  the  work  of  the  revisors  is  as  yet  in- 

22 


338  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekai,  Assembly.        [Book  IV. 

complete — the  New  Testament  only  having  been  published,  and  even 
that  with  no  assurance  that  it  maj  not  receive  further  amendment  at 
the  hands  of  the  revisors.     Adopted. 

562.  Assembly  declines  to  add  the  Sihle  Society  to  the  list  of  heneco- 
lent  causes  for  tchich  it  asks  collections. 

1877,  p.  409.  The  General  Assembly  resi^ectfully  declines  comply- 
ing with  the  requests  of  the  Synods  of  Memphis  and  Alabama,  while 
cordially  commending  their  zeal  in  the  great  work  of  promoting  the 
circulation  of  the  Word  of  God. 

The  overture  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis  was  that  the  Assemblj'  would  ' '  ijlace  the 
Bible  cause  on  the  list  of  benevolent  causes,  and  designate  a  time  when  collections 
shall  be  taken. "  The  overture  of  the  Synod  of  Alabama  was  for  the  same,  with 
the  further  request  that  "a  column  be  added  to  our  blank  forms  for  statistical  re- 
ports, that  the  result  of  such  collections  may  appear  in  the  summary  of  the  benevo- 
lent work  of  the  Church. " — A . 

.  563.   T7ie  Presbyterian  Historical  Society. 

1876,  p.  244.  A  communication  having  been  received  from  Rev.  -J. 
G.  Craighead,  D.  D.,  general  secretar}-  of  the  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society,  calling  the  attention  of  this  body  to  the  effort  now  in  progress 
to  provide  a  fire-proof  building  for  the  preservation  of  valuable  docu- 
ments relating  to  the  history  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  United  States, 
and  suggesting  the  preservation  of  historical  discourses  by  Presbyte- 
rian ministers,  to  be  deposited  with  the  Society ;  whereupon, 

He.^olved,  That  this  Assembly  expresses  gratification  to  learn  that 
such  an  enterprise  has  been  undertaken,  and  commends  the  effort  to 
the  liberality  of  our  people,  and  recommends  that  our  ministers,  during 
the  present  3'ear,  prepare  historical  discourses,  treating  of  the  impor- 
tant facts  in  the  history  of  their  churches  severally,  for  dejDosit  with 
the  Presbj^terian  Historical  Society. 

1877,  p.  432.  A  communication  from  the  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society,  asking  the  attention  of  this  Assembly  to  its  claims. 

Reply :  The  Assembly  reiterates  its  cordial  recognition  of  the  claims 
of  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society,  and  earnestly  commends  to 
Presbyteries,  pastors,  and  members  of  our  churches,  all  proper  efforts 
for  securing  contributions  of  historical  matter  to  the  library  of  the  so- 
ciety, and  of  means  to  promote  its  laudable  purposes  in  establishing  a 
suitable  receptacle  for  the  safe  preservation  of  the  books  and  other 
documents  placed  in  its  care. 

1878,  p.  635.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  to  whom  was 
referred  the  annvial  report  of  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society  at 
Philadelphia,  report  that  they  examined  the  same,  and  recommend 
that  the  Assembly  express  its  satisfaction  with  the  progress  made  by 
said  society  in  the  collection  of  various  documents  and  a  large  library 
as  contributions  to  the  general  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  also  the  provision  of  a  fireproof  building  for  their  preservation. 

1881,  p.  363.  The  Assembly  recognizes,  with  great  pleasure,  the 
successfiil  prosecution  of  the  important  work  of  the  Presbyterian  His- 
torical Society,  and  the  erection  of  a  fire-proof  building  for  the  preser- 
vation of  its  invaluable  historic  material.     The  Assembly  hereby — 

llesohes,  1,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  co-operate  with  the 
society  in  every  appropriate  method. 


Secs.  564,  565.  ]  The  Agencies  of  the  Church.  339 

2.  That  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries  be  recommended  to  appoint 
similar  committees  to  procui'e  material  for  the  society,  and  in  all  prac- 
ticable ways  to  further  its  interests  for  the  benefit  of  oui'  entire  Church. 

Rev.  M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  Rev.  W.  T.  Richardson,  D.  D.,  and  W. 
AVirt  Henry,  Esq.,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond  with  the 
Historical  Society  in  regard  to  such  matters  as  may  be  suitable. 

Resolutions  of  commendation  similar  in  tone  to  the  above  were 
adopted  in  1882.     (P.  525.) 

564.  iSotct/ieni  Presbyterian  Historical  Society. 

1883,  p.  41.  Resolrcd,  That  the  General  Assembly  commends  to 
the  attention  of  all  its  ministers  and  churches  the  Southern  Presbyte- 
rian Historical  Society,  recently  organized,  and  located  at  Columbia, 
S.  C,  and  that  they  co-operate  with  this  society  in  its  purposes  and 
aims  to  collect  material  which  will  be  of  value  in  making  up  the  history 
of  our  Church. 

1884,  p.  217.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and 
Florida :  In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  General  Assembly  has  commended 
both  the  Presbj'terian  Historical  Society  and  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society  to  the  "active  sympathies  and  assistance  of  all  our 
people  "  :  and  whereas  it  seems  impracticable  efficiently  to  co-operate 
with  both,  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  respectfully  over- 
tures the  General  Assembly  to  say  which  of  these  societies  shall  receive 
the  co-operation  and  assistance  of  our  people. 

It  is  recommended  that  we  retui-n  answer  to  this  overture  by  express- 
ing a  preference  for  the  Southern  Historical  Society.     Adopted. 

565.    Collecting  materials  for  the  history  of  the  Southern  Church. 

1878,  p.  635.  Overtm-e  fi-om  the  SjTiod  of  Texas,  asking  that  steps 
be  taken  for  gatheiing  up  and  preserving  the  past  and  current  history 
of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 

Ansirer  .■  The  Assembly  urges  upon  aU  our  ministers  and  judicatories 
to  take  all  necessar}^  steps  for  the  early  preparation  and  collection  of 
materials  for  the  history  of  our  Church,  and  their  careful  preservation 
until  the  Assembly  shall  arrange  for  their  safe  keeping. 


ROOK    V. 

ORDINANCES. 

566.  Memorial  to  the  Confederate  authorities  on  Sabbath  observance 

in  the  army. 

1862,  p.  16.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Ttiskaloosa,  that  the 
General  Assembly  memorialize  the  Congress  or  the  President  of  the 
Confederate  States  to  require  our  military  officers  to  have  the  Sabbath 
respected  and  observed  as  a  day  of  rest  and  religious  exercises. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  following  letter  be  adopted  by 
the  General  Assembly,  signed  by  the  moderator  in  behalf  of  this  body, 
and  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

MoNTGOMEEY,  May,  1862. 
To  the  President,  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America  : 

Sir  :  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America  venture  to  address  your  Excellency  in  refer- 
ence to  the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  in  our  armies. 

In  common  with  very  many  of  our  fellow  citizens,  we  have  been  deeply 
pained  at  the  prevailing  disregard  of  an  institution  that  lies  at  the 
foundation,  not  only  of  Christianity,  but  of  morahty  as  well.  The  God 
who  ordained  the  Sabbath  is  that  God  to  whom  we  are  accustomed  to 
appeal  for  the  justice  of  om'  cause — upon  whom  we  are  caDiug  for  that 
help  which  alone  can  avail  to  bring  our  country  successfully  and  triumph- 
antly through  this  great  struggle.  How  can  we  hope  for  God's  bless- 
ing, or  consistently  ask  it,  when  we  are  dehberately  and  habitually  set- 
ting aside  and  treating  with  contempt  that  which  he  has  enjoined 
uf)on  us  to  remember  and  keep  holy "?  Surely  never  could  circumstances 
more  imperiously  call  upon  us  as  a  people  to  put  away  everything 
which  might  be  displeasing  to  that  Great  Being  on  whose  favor  we  are 
so  utterly  dependent;  and  do  not  om-  soldiers  and  officers  eminently 
require  the  salutary  influence  of  the  Sabbath  amid  the  manifold  temp- 
tations of  the  camp  and  the  tierce  perils  of  the  battle-field? 

The  Assembly  have  learned  with  regret  that  it  is  not  uncommon  for 
the  military  arrangements  of  the  Sabbath  to  be  of  such  a  nature  as 
seriously  to  interfere  with  the  observance  of  public  worship. 

The  General  Assembly  would  therefore  respectfully  request  your 
Excellency  to  use  yom-  influence  and  authority  as  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  Army,  to  do  away  with  dress  parades,  inspections,  reviewals,  or 
unnecessary  movements  of  troops  on  the  Sabbath,  and  also  to  see  that 
the  officers  shall  not  interfere  with  the  observance  of  religious  services, 
but  on  the  contrary,  afibrd  all  proper  facilities  for  the  same. 

The  uniform  interest  manifested  by  your  Excellency  in  all  that  per- 
tains to  Christianity  leads  us  to  hope  that  a  matter  of  such  moment 
will  secure  the  attention  it  merits.  Let  us  remember  that  "righteous- 
ness exalteth  a  nation,"  and  that  God  has  declared  that  they  that 


Sec.  567.  J  Ordinances.  341 

honor  him  will  be  honored,  whilst  they  that  despise  him  shall  be 
lightly  esteemed. 

With  earnest  prayer  to  God  that  he  will  gi-ant  you,  dear  sir,  wisdom 
and  grace  for  your  exalted  and  responsible  station  in  these  dark  and 
troublesome  times,  and  with  great  respect,  we  are,  etc. 

It  does  not  apijear  from  the  Miuiites  whether  or  not  this  pajier  was  adopted, 
though  doubtless  it  was. — A. 

567.    Trunsmitting  nydl  on  the  Sabbath. 

1863,  p.  164.  The  following  minute  was  presented  by  Col.  J.  T.  L. 
Preston,  which  was,  on  motion,  unanimously  adopted;  and,  in  connec- 
tion herewith,  it  was  ordered  that  so  much  of  a  letter  from  the  lamented 
Gen.  T.  J.  Jackson,  very  recently  addressed  to  Col.  Preston,  as  relates  to 
the  subject  hereof,  shall  be  spread  v;pon  the  Minutes  of  this  Assembly, 
as  an  addition  to  the  subjoined  preamble  and  resolutions: 

Whereas  in  our  present  struggle  it  is  the  conviction  of  this  Assembly 
that  God  is  solemnly  asserting  his  supremacy  as  Governor  of  the 
nations ;  and  whereas  the  lesson  of  all  history  confirms  the  teaching  of 
all  Scripture,  that  no  nation  can  permanently  pi'osper,  nor  enjoy  a  stable 
government,  which  deliberately  sets  aside  the  oixlinances  and  statutes 
of  Jehovah  ;  and  whereas  it  is  ascertained  that  some  of  om'  statesmen, 
impressed  with  the  same  views,  are  seriously  meditating  the  repeal  of 
existing  laws  wliich  require  the  transmission  of  the  mail  on  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath ;  therefore, 

lie  solved,  That  this  General  Assembly,  representing  the  views  and 
wishes  of  an  important  branch  of  the  Christian  Church,  hfts  its  voice 
in  earnest  testimony  against  this  form  of  public  and  national  sin;  and 
in  view  of  God's  present  dealings  with  our  young  nation,  in  which  his 
hand  is  so  heavy  upon  us  for  our  sins,  implores  the  legislators  of  our 
land  to  put  awa}'  from  the  nation  this  cause  of  the  Divine  anger,  and, 
by  restoring  that  honor  to  the  Lord's  day  which  is  due  to  it  as  the 
solemn  court- day  of  our  Sovereign  King,  to  draw  Aown  upon  our  land 
that  blessing  which  is  promised  to  those  who  remember  the  Sabbath 
to  keep  it  holy. 

Resolved,  That  we  solicit  other  branches  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
throughout  this  Confederacy  to  unite  their  testimony  with  our  own,  that 
those  who  guide  our  political  fortunes  may  be  at  no  hesitation  in  under- 
standing that  the  nation's  voice  is  pleading  for  its  Sabbath,  and  for  the 
blessing  of  liim  who  is  Lord  of  the  Sabljath:  and  to  this  end  the  stated 
clerk  be  directed  to  communicate  this  paper  to  the  ecclesiastical  or- 
ganizations of  the  leading  evangelical  churches  of  this  Confederacy. 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Gen.  T.  J.  Jackson  to  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Preston. 

"  Near  FREDERioKSBURci,  April  27,  1863. 
"  Dear  Colonel  :  I  am  much  gratified  to  see  that  you  are  one  of  the 
delegates  to  the  General  Assembly  of  our  Church,  and  I  wi'ite  to  ex- 
press the  hope  that  something  may  be  accomplished  by  you  at  the  meet- 
ing of  that  influential  body  towards  repeahng  the  law  requiring  our 
mails  to  be  carried  im  the  Christian  Sabbath.  Recently  I  received  a 
letter  from  a  member  of  Congress,  expressing  the  hope  that  the  House 
of  Representatives  would  act  upon  the  subject  during  its  present  session ; 
and  from  the  mention  made  of  Col.  Chilton  and  IMr.  Curry,  of  Alabama, 
I  infer  that  thev  are  members  of  the  committee  which  recommend  the 


342  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

repeal  of  the  law.  A  few  days  since  I  received  a  very  gratifying  letter 
from  Mr.  Curry,  which  was  entirely  voluntary  on  his  part,  as  I  was  a 
stranger  to  him,  and  there  had  been  no  previous  correspondence  be- 
tween us.  His  letter  is  of  a  cheering  character,  and  he  takes  occasion 
to  say  that  divine  laws  can  be  violated  with  impunity  neither  by  gov- 
ernments nor  individuals.  I  regret  to  say  that  he  is  fearful  that  the 
anxiety  of  members  to  return  home,  and  the  press  of  other  business, 
will  prevent  the  desii-ed  action  this  session.  I  have  said  thus  much  in 
order  that  you  may  see  that  congressional  action  is  to  be  looked  for 
at  the  next  Congress,  and  hence  the  importance  that  Christians  act 
promptly,  so  that  our  legislators  may  see  the  current  of  public  opinion 
before  they  take  up  the  subject.  I  hope  and  pray  that  such  may  be 
our  country's  sentiment  upon  this  and  kindred  subjects,  that  our  states- 
men will  see  their  way  clearly.  Now  appears  to  me  an  ausj^icious  time 
for  action,  as  our  j)eople  are  looking  to  God  for  assistance. 
"  Very  truly  your  friend." 

568.  Permanent  Committee  on  the  /Sabbath  appointed. 

1878,  p.  626.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  BiUs  and  Overtures 
in  relation  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  and  a  letter 
from  the  International  Sabbath  Association  of  New  York,  concerning  a 
concert  of  Christian  effort  in  promoting  the  obsei-vance  of  the  Sabbath, 
was  adopted,  recommending  that  this  subject  be  referred  to  a  special 
committee. 

The  Eev.  E.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  Eev.  J.  E.  Dunlop,  with  Euling  Elders 
I.  D.  Jones  and  J.  A.  BiUups,  were  appointed  the  committee  provided 
for  in  the  above  report. 

P.  641.     This  committee  reported: 

That  they  find  the  evil  named  wide-spread  and  formidable,  and,  ac- 
cordingly, exceedingly  difficult  to  control.  Some  enquiry  shows  that  the 
legislation  of  the  civil  commonwealths  is  in  most  cases  wholesome  as  it 
aiiects  private  citizens,  and  as,  according  to  the  equity,  and  even  the 
letter  of  the  laws,  it  should  affect  Sabbath- breaking  corporations; 
but  the  wealth,  jiower  and  recklessness  of  these  bodies  in  aU  the  States, 
except,  perhaps,  Georgia,  practically  set  at  defiance  these  righteous 
laws,  which  all  other  citizens  are  required  to  obey.  And  it  seems  very 
obvious  that  any  ordinary  protest  of  any  one  body  of  Christians  would 
be  slighted  by  these  privileged  law-breakers,  before  whose  will  the 
majesty  of  the  commonwealth  and  the  statute  law  is  sometimes  effec- 
tually palsied  and  silenced.  The  sense  of  power  and  irresponsibility, 
the  numbers  employed  and  salaried  by  them,  and  the  greed  of  the  vast 
commercial  interests  which  these  corporations  profess  to  serve  as  car- 
riers, seemingly  mock  at  a  restraining  public  opinion  as  at  the  laws  of 
the  land. 

The  evil  results  of  these  abuses  are  wide  and  deplorable.  The  con- 
sequence, which  is  of  least  moral  weight,  but  which  is  most  likelj'  to  in- 
fluence the  transgressors,  is  a  material  one,  viz. :  that  by  resolving  to 
desecrate  systematically  God's  holy  day,  these  corporations  virtually 
resolve  to  banish  from  their  service  every  man  who  truly  fears  God,  or 
whose  body  and  spirit  enjoy  the  healthtul  and  calming  influences  of 
home.  Sabbath,  and  sanctuary,  and  to  commit  their  valuable  machineiy 
and  the  jDroperty  and  lives  of  their  patrons  only  to  such  men  as  are 
•wiUing  to  defy  the  commandments  of  Almighty  God,  to  forego  all  the 


Sec.  568.]  Ordinances.  343 

elevating  and  soothing  influences  of  the  domestic  Sabbath's  rest,  and  to 
cany  to  their  tasks  a  spirit  debauched  and  a  set  of  nerves  fevered  by 
this  habitual  violation  of  nature's  law,  and  by  the  spending  of  the  holy 
houi's  of  rest  amidst  the  clangor  of  machinery  and  profanity.  The  re- 
sult is  easUy^  foreseen  in  murderous  collisions  of  trains,  neglect  of  of- 
ficial tnists,  waste  of  employers'  property,  and  fierce  outbreaks  of  arson 
and  riot. 

But  our  concern  is  with  the  moral  results.  Among  these  must  be 
coiuited  the  influence  of  an  evil  example  almost  as  wide  as  the  land,  and 
the  seduction  of  temptation  and  opportunity^  to  profane  the  Sabbath, 
offered  to  weak  consciences.  The  armies  of  officials  and  servants  em- 
ployed by  these  corporations  are  seduced  into  a  common  neglect  of  the 
sanctuaiy,  and  of  the  duties  of  the  Christian  family.  The  quiet  and 
order  to  which  even  the  civil  law  entitles  all  citizens  is,  in  a  multitude 
of  our  towns  and  ^•illages,  invaded  by  noise  and  turmoil.  And  last,  the 
pretext  of  associated  and  incoi'})orate  action  sophisticates  the  consciences 
of  the  transgressors,  making  them  bold  in  actions  which  as  private  in- 
dividuals they  would  blush  to  perpetrate.  And  this  is  one  instance  of 
that  tendency  attending  the  growth  of  such  corporations  which  is  one 
of  the  gravest  dangers  of  modern  civilization. 

Seeing  that  there  is  no  remedy  m  the  reach  of  Christians,  except  the 
power  of  a  widely  combined  and  universal  public  opinion,  yovu-  com- 
mittee recommend  the  following  action  : 

I.  That  a  permanent  Sabbath  Committee  of  three  members,  residing 
near  enough  to  each  other  for  concert  and  vigorous  action,  be  appointed, 
to  serve  until  the  next  Assembly  and  report  to  it,  and  to  proceed 
forthwith  in  the  following  duties,  viz. :  to  correspond  and  concert  ac- 
tion with  all  such  ecclesiastical  and  other  bodies  as  are  willing  to  act 
with  them  for  this  good  cause;  to  assist  in  the  production  and  circula- 
tion of  suitable  pubhcations  to  instruct  the  people ;  and  to  procure  such 
moneys  as  may  be  raised  by  vohmtary  contribution  to  defray  this  ex- 
pense. 

Besides  the  prelates,  councils,  conventions,  assembhes,  synods,  and 
conferences  of  the  ditferent  Christian  denominations  of  the  land,  this 
committee  should  enter  into  coirespondence,  for  this  special  work  only, 
with  such  Sabbath  associations  as  may  be  found  in  Baltimore,  New 
York,  and  other  cities,  and  with  the  General  Council  of  the  Young  ]\Ien's 
Christian  Association  in  the  United  States,  to  combine  the  exertions 
of  these  voluntary  associations  for  Sabbath  reform  under  the  cathohc 
principles  of  Christ's  Church  visible. 

II.  This  Assembly  faithfully  admonishes  all  its  pastors,  officers  and 
people  against  overt  breaches  of  the  Sabbath  law  ordained  by  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  for  aU  dispensations  and  times ;  and  esj^ecially,  that  it  is 
their  positive  and  personal  duty  to  clear  their  own  skiits  of  all  compU- 
city  with  these  sins,  by  refraining  from  all  travel  upon  Sabbath-breaking 
raih'oad  trains,  steamers,  etc.,  and  to  refrain,  as  far  as  their  knowledge 
may  enable  them,  from  committing  to  them  any  goods  or  commodities 
for  transport  on  the  Lord's  day. 

The  committee  provided  for  in  the  above  paper  was  appointed,  to 
consist  of  the  Rev.  James  Stacj-,  D.  D.,  Newnan,  Ga.  ;  Rev.  Donald 
Frazer,  Decatur,  Ga. ;  "William  A.  IMoore,  ruling  elder,  Atlanta,  Ga., 
and  Thomas  (^.  Cassells,  ruling  elder,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Since  tliis  beginning  tlie  Assembly  has  anniially  appointed  a  similai  executive  or 
permanent  committee  on  this  subject. — A. 


344  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

569.  Preshyterial  committees  on  the  Sahhath. 

1879,  p.  45.  Hesolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  recommends  to 
all  our  Presbyteries  and  Synods  that  thej  give  this  subject  their  care- 
ful consideration,  taking  such  action  for  the  promotion  of  the  general 
end  sought  as  may  seem  to  themselves  to  be  wise  and  prudent ;  and  as 
one  of  the  means  for  the  better  organization  of  this  work  in  our  Chui'ch, 
the  Assembly  further  recommends  the  appointment  of  Presbyterial 
committees,  whose  object  shall  be  to  secure  the  proper  agitation  of  this 
question  in  their  respective  Presbyteries,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  co- 
operate with  the  Assembly's  committee  in  the  way  of  furnishing  them 
with  facts,  statistics,  or  such  other  aid  as  may  be  desirable. 

Eepeated  in  1880.     (P.  216.) 

570.  Applicatio?i  to  civil  authorities  on  the  /Sabbath  question. 

1881,  p.  377.  Hesolved,  That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  insti- 
tute such  correspondence  with  other  evangelical  churches  as  will  secm'e 
their  co-operation  in  bringing  the  "  Sabbath  question  "  to  the  attention 
of  the  civil  authorities  of  all  the  States. 

The  Assembly  would  not  recommend  any  overture,  either  as  citizens 
or  as  ecclesiastics,  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  until  the  co- 
operation of  the  great  bulk  of  the  evangehcal  churches  of  the  whole 
country  may  be  obtained. 

571.  Difficidty  of  co-operation  among  the  deno)ninations  on  the  Sab- 
bath movement. 

1883,  p.  87.  The  permanent  committee  say :  A  difficulty  that  stares 
us  in  the  face  is  the  want  of  a  co-operative  movement  on  the  part  of 
the  different  denominations  of  the  country.  In  accordance  with  the 
direction  of  former  Assemblies,  your  committee  have  opened  corre- 
spondence with  several  of  these  different  Christian  denominations. 
Though  our  communications  have  uniformly  been  received  with  the 
greatest  courtesy,  and  in  some  instances  corresponding  committees 
have  been  appointed,  yet  we  regret  not  yet  to  be  able  to  report  any 
tangible,  practical  result.  How  this  co-operative  movement  is  to  be  se- 
cured in  the  present  divided  state  of  religious  sentiment  is  a  problem 
of  difficult  solution. 

572.  Discipline  in  cases  of  infraction  of  the  Sabbath  laic. 

1884,  -p.  210.  The  Assembly  directs  the  Presbyteries  to  enjoin  upon 
sessions  to  take  notice  of  infi'actions  of  this  law,  and,  when  necessary, 
to  administer  discipline,  at  least,  so  far  as  admonition  and  reproof  are 
concerned. 

1885,  p.  413.  Resolved,  That  sessions  take  notice  of  the  violation 
of  the  Sabbath  by  members  of  the  Church,  and  admonish  and  reprove 
them  in  the  name  of  Christ ;  and  if  they  persist  in  their  infi'actions  of 
the  Fom-th  Commandment,  that  it  be  regarded  as  an  offence  demand- 
ing and  justifying  suspension.  (See  Chap.  III.,  Art.  I.,  Rules  of  Dis- 
cipline.)    Similar  action  taken  in  1886.     (P.  52.) 

578.  Sunday  newspapers  and  railway  trains. 

1886,  p.  52.  Whereas  we,  a  court  of  the  Lord's  house,  beheve  that 
the  Christian  religion  and  Christian  civihzation  rest  largely  upon  the 


Secs.  574,  575.]  Ordinances.  345 

proper  obsei'vance  of  the  Sabbath  day;  and  whereas  we  believe  that 
the  rmining  of  railway  trains  and  Sunday  editions  of  newsj^apers  are 
two  most  potent  agencies  for  destroying  the  sanctity  and  proper  use  of 
the  da.j ;  therefore, 

JResolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  condemns  in  most  emphatic  terms  the  pubhcation 
and  reading  of  Stmday  editions  of  newspapers  and  the  running  of  all 
railway  trams  on  Sunday,  and  earnestly  advises  all  our  people  not  to 
read  newspapers  of  Sunday  editions,  nor  to  patronize  in  any  way  Sun- 
day railway  trains. 

1887,  p.  229.  Iit'solved,  That  Presbyteries  be  enjoined  to  take  such 
steps  as  to  them  appear  wisest  to  discourage  and  put  a  stop  to  such 
riding  on  Sunday  trains  and  steamboats  by  church  members,  and  by 
ministers  of  the  gospel  in  going  and  returning  from  appointments,  as 
cannot  be  justified  on  the  grounds  of  necessity  or  mercy. 

574.  Meeting  of  Synod  ori  the  /Sabbath. 

188G,  p.  47.  The  Committee  on  the  Records  of  the  Synod  of  Ala- 
bama report  that  they  have  examined  the  same,  and  recommend  their 
approval,  except  that  the  Synod  held  a  business  meeting  on  the  Sab- 
bath, November  8,  1885.  This  the  Assembly  emphatically  disapproves. 
Adopted. 

575.  li<(ptisvi  as  a  burial. — Its  true  significance. 

1863,  p.  136.  The  following  overture,  signed  by  Rev.  George  H. 
Coit,  was  reported : 

"  The  undersigned,  believing  the  question,  '  Unto  vhat  were  ye  bap- 
tized ? '  to  be  one  of  much  importance,  respectfully  oveiiures  this  As- 
sembly in  the  following  case,  viz. : 

"  A  person  presents  himself  for  admission  into  this  Church,  who  de- 
clares that  he  has  been  baptized  in  water  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity ; 
that  when  he  received  the  ordinance  his  views  were  intelligent  and 
clear,  and  that  his  sole  api)rehension  of  the  nature  of  the  ordinance 
was  that  it  symbohzed  the  burial  and  resurrection  of  Christ. 

"  The  administrator  of  the  ordinance  in  this  case  is  duly  quahfied, 
imless  the  holding  and  teaching  of  the  above  sentiments  respecting  the 
nature  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism  disqualify  one  from  properly  admin- 
istering the  same. 

"  Is  such  a  ceremony  valid  Christian  baptism  ? 

"  Again,  where  the  notion  respecting  baptism  indicated  in  the  above 
case  becomes  the  prevailing  and  c(»itrolling  idea  in  respect  to  the  or- 
dinance, does  this  invahdate  the  ordinance  ?  " 

The  committee  do  not  feel  prepared  to  recommend  an  answer,  either 
affii'mative  or  negative,  to  the  questions  raised  in  this  overtiu'e,  without 
an  opportunity  for  a  more  careful  examination  than  can  now  be  made 
of  the  subject.  To  represent  the  ordinance  of  baptism  as  the  symbol 
of  the  burial  and  resurrection  of  Christ,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  it  is  designed  primarily  to  signify,  is  a  grave 
error,  and,  it  is  feared,  a  growing  error  in  our  day.  It  is,  however,  no 
shght  matter,  but  one  of  great  delicacy  and  responsibility,  to  determine 
how  much  of  error,  whether  of  defect  or  of  perversion,  on  the  part 
either  of  the  administrator  or  of  the  subject,  may  exist  without  invali- 
dating the  ordinance  itself. 


346  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [.Book  V. 

Still,  as  the  question  is  imjiortant,  and  one  which  our  pastors  and 
sessions  must  frequently  encounter  in  the  discharge  of  their  functions, 
it  is  desirable  that  it  should  receive  a  definite  answer  from  the  highest 
judicatory  of  our  Church,  in  order  that  the  practice  of  the  Chm'ch  may 
be  uniform  throughout  the  country.  The  committee,  therefore,  suggest 
that  it  be  referred,  according  to  a  good  and  ancient  custom  of  the  Ee- 
formed  Church  in  Europe,  to  our  learned  brethren  of  the  Theological 
Seminaries  in  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  requesting  them  to  bestow 
upon  it  such  attention  as  they  may  be  able,  and  to  report  their  views 
to  the  next  Assembly. 

If  this  suggestion  shall  be  approved  hj  the  Assembly,  the  committee 
recommend  that  the  Eev.  Drs.  Adger  and  Howe,  of  the  Seminary  at 
Columbia,  and  the  Eev.  Drs.  Dabney  and  Smith,  of  the  Seminary  in 
Prince  Edward,  Va.,  constitute  a  committee  to  whom  the  matter  shall 
be  specially  entrusted.     Adopted. 

1864,  p.  274.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  to 
prepare  an  answer  to  the  overture  respecting  baptism,  recorded  on 
page  136  of  the  Minutes  of  the  last  Assembly,  would  recommend  to 
this  Assembly  the  adoption  of  the  following : 

The  question,  "  Unto  tohat  were  ye  baptized  ?"  is,  without  doubt,  of 
vital  importance.  This  Assembly  holds,  with  Calvin,  that  "  a  sacra- 
ment is  an  external  sign  by  which  the  Lord  seals  his  promises  upon 
our  conscience,"  and  that  "it  is  a  fixed  point  that  the  office  of  the  sac- 
rament differs  not  from  the  Word  of  God,  and  this  is  to  hold  forth 
and  offer  Christ  to  us,  and  in  him  the  treasures  of  the  heavenly  grace." 
(Inst.,  Book  IV.,  Chap.  XIV.,  Sections  1-17.)  This  Assembly  holds 
also,  with  Pictet,  that  the  sacrament  of  baptism  was  instituted  in  order 
to  set  forth  "the  blood  and  the  Spirit  of  Christ;  ov;r  justification  by 
his  blood,  and  our  sauctification  by  his  Spirit."  (Book  XV.,  Chap. 
XL,  Sec.  III.)  It  holds,  with  the  Eeformed  Church  m  general,  that 
baptism  was  designed  to  signify  and  seal  our  fellowship  with  Christ  in 
his  death  and  resurrection,  with  aU  the  benefits  thereof,  among  which 
are  the  remission  of  sins,  regeneration,  and  eternal  life.  These  things 
being  so,  of  course  a  baptism  administered  and  received  in  attestation 
of  falsehood  cannot  be  valid  Christian  baptism.  This  is  the  ground 
upon  which  our  Church  has  rejected  Eomish  baptism. 

But  it  is  equally  clear  that  some  distinctions  must  be  made  in  refer- 
ence to  the  cases  to  which  this  principle  is  to  be  appUed. 

1.  We  cannot  say  that  errors,  even  very  sei'ious  errors,  in  the  appre- 
hensions with  which  a  person  receives  baptism  necessarily  render  it  in- 
valid. If  it  be  rightly  administered,  and  he  should  wrongly  conceive 
of  it,  we  are  not  to  repeat  the  baptism  afterward  when  he  becomes  bet- 
ter informed. 

2  We  cannot  even  say  that  serious  errors  in  the  teachings  of  the  in- 
dividual administrator  render  it  necessary  to  repeat  baptism.  He  bap- 
tizes by  aiathority  from  the  Church  that  ordains  him,  and  the  baptism 
which  he  administers  is  to  be  judged  according  to  her  doctrines,  and 
not  those  of  each  one  of  her  individual  ministers. 

The  first  inquiry  which  arises  upon  a  consideration  of  the  ovei'ture 
submitted  t(j  us  is.  Does  baptism  symbolize  the  biu'ial  of  Christ  1  This 
Assembly  holds  that  baptism  symbolizes  the  burial  of  Chx'ist  only  in 
the  sense  in  which  the  apostle  speaks  of  our  being  buried  with  Christ 
in  baptism.    What  that  sense  is,  in  bt)th  the  passages  where  the  phrase 


Sec.  575.]  Ordinances.  347 

occurs,  we  consider  to  be  very  clear,  viz. :  as  merely  embodying  an  in- 
tensive form  of  the  idea  of  death.  The  apostle's  object  is  to  set  forth 
the  believer's  being-  one  -with  Christ  in  his  dying ;  and,  with  character- 
istic wai'mth,  he  says  not  onh'  that  we  are  dead  with  Christ,  but  buried 
with  him.  It  is  just  as  when  we  intend  to  declai'e,  with  emphasis,  to 
any  person  the  certaintj^  of  another's  death  ;  we  often  say  not  only  that 
he  is  dead,  but  that  he  is  dead  and  buried.  We  do  not  perceive  any 
aUusion  to  immersion  in  Paul's  language,  either  in  Colossiaus  ii.  12,  or 
in  Komans  vi.  4 ;  nor  does  the  inteUigeut  Haldane,  in  his  Commentary 
on  Romans,  point  out  any,  although  himself  a  Baptist. 

Indeed,  there  was  nothing  in  the  mode  of  our  Saviour's  burial  which 
could  possibly  have  suggested  any  such  allusion  to  the  writer  of  those 
epistles.  Our  Lord  was  not  buried  doirn  in  the  earth  as  v:e  bury  our 
dead,  and  as  he  must  have  been  buried  if  his  burial  had  been  intended 
to  be  symbolized  by  the  believer's  immersion  in  and  rising  out  of  what 
is  so  often  called  "the  liquid  grave  "  ;  but  he  was  laid  away  in  a  cham- 
ber hewn  out  of  the  rock,  and  a  great  stone  was  rolled  to  the  door 
thereof.  Surely  there  was  nothing  in  the  mode  of  our  Lord's  entrance 
into  the  sepulchre  which  resembles,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the  immer- 
sion of  a  believer  under  the  water. 

The  next  question  is,  whether  the  ordinance  is  invahdated  by  the 
notion,  on  the  part  of  the  recipient  and  the  administrator  both,  that 
baptism  is  symbolic  of  the  mode  of  our  Saviour's  burial.  This  ques- 
tion is  presented  before  us  in  the  overture  in  two  forms :  First,  Avhether 
this  apprehension  solely,  and  Secondly,  whether  this  apprehension  pre- 
vaihngly,  is  error  sufficient  to  invalidate  the  ordinance. 

The  proper  answer  to  both  these  ciuestions  we  conceive  to  be,  that 
the  prevalence  of  this  idea  in  either  form  is  not  enough  to  invalidate 
the  ordinance,  imless  it  exclude  positively  the  true  idea  of  baptism, 
viz. :  that  it  sets  forth  the  death  of  Christ.  It  appears  to  us  that  those 
who  hold  that  baptism  symbolizes  Christ's  burial  must  all  do  so  with 
this  apprehension,  that  it  symbolizes  his  burial — he  beinc/  de<id.  So 
long  as  this  is  the  case,  the  Assembly  cannot  take  it  upon  them  to  say 
that  the  erroneous  conception  referred  to  makes  it  necessaiy  to  repeat 
the  baptism  accompanying  it,  if  otherwise  rightly  administered.  That 
baptism  does  signify  real  pardon  of  sin,  puritication  from  it  by  his 
Spirit,  and  engrafting  into  Christ  so  that  we  become  one  with  him  in 
bis  dying  and  in  his  rising,  there  can  be  no  question.  Christ  is  the 
matter  or  salmtance  of  the  sacrament.  It  sets  him  foi'th  to  us  as  cruci- 
fied for  us,  and  raised  for  our  justification.  Let  these  truths  not  be 
shut  out  of  riew,  and  the  application  of  water  to  the  person,  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  by  any  diUy  authorized 
Christian  minister,  is  valid  baptism.     Adopted. 

18G5,  p.  363.  Ovei'ture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Mississippi, 
dissenting  from  ceriain  language  used  in  the  ^linutes  of  the  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly  on  the  subject  of  valid  and  invalid  baptism,  and  request- 
ing this  Assembly  to  make  a  new  and  more  satisfactoiy  deliverance. 

lii'pli/  :  The  language  from  which  the  Presbyteiy  dissents,  that  this 
is  "  the  true  idea  of  baptism,  viz.  :  that  it  sets  forth  the  death  of  Christ," 
taken  by  itself,  is  possibly  liable  to  misapprehension.  But  inasmuch 
as  the  minute  in  (question,  in  two  or  three  different  forms,  does  dis- 
tinctly state  the  true  doctrine,  it  is  manifest  that  the  last  Assembly 
meant  to  teach  that  baptism  "sets  forth  the  death  of  Chi-ist"  by  ex- 


348  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

hibiting  to  us  the  benefits  thereof  in  theii*  effectvial  application  to  us 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  In  the  similar  expression  in  the  same  dehverance, 
where  it  is  said  that  baptism  "  sets  him  (Christ)  forth  as  crucified  for 
us  and  raised  again  for  our  justification,"  it  is  evident  that  this  lan- 
guage is  used  in  the  sense  previously  explained  in  the  minute  itself, 
viz.:  "that  baptism  was  designed  to  signify  and  seal  our  fellowship 
with  Christ,  in  his  death  and  in  his  resiu'rection,  with  all  the  benefits 
thereof."  These  expressions,  thus  explained,  are  assirredly  in  accord- 
ance with  our  standards  and  with  the  Word  of  God. 

576.  3Iay  a  Presbyterian  minister  baj^tize  by  immersion? 

1872,  p.  167.  In  answer  to  an  overture  from  certain  members  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  the  following  was  adopted : 

Ovu"  Confession  of  Faith  teaches  that  "dipping  of  the  person  into  water 
is  not  necessary,  but  baptism  is  rightly  administered  by  pouring  or 
sprinkling  water  upon  the  person;"  and  oiu*  Directory  prescribes 
"poming  or  sprinkling  water  on  the  face  of  a  child,  without  adding 
any  other  ceremony."  This  Assembly  judges  that  for  a  Presbyterian 
minister  to  baptize  by  immersion  is  such  a  departure  from  the  ways 
approved  in  our  standards  as  should  be  discouraged. 

577.  JRomisJi  baptism. 

1884,  p.  206.  "The  session  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Andei*- 
^on,  S.  C,  respectfully  petition  the  General  Assembly  to  pass  a  deliver- 
ance on  the  vahdity  of  Eomish  baptism," 

We  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly,  as  its  answer,  reaffirm 
the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1871  (printed  Minutes,  page 
30),  viz. : 

Oiu-  Church  has  always  held,  agreeably  to  Scripture,  that  the  ad- 
ministration of  baptism  may  present  irregularities  or  imperfections 
which  are  not  to  be  approved,  but  the  sacrament  may  still  have  sub- 
stantial validity.  It  is  plain  from  the  Scriptures  that  baptism  has,  by 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  been  given  to  his  true  visible  Church  cathoHc, 
and  cannot  be  out  of  her  pale. 

The  administration  of  this  sacrament  may,  in  two  ways,  be  invali- 
dated: either  by  the  apostasy  of  the  body  wherein  it  is  exercised,  so 
that  this  society  is  no  true  part  of  Christ's  visible  Church,  or  by  the 
utter  change  or  corruption  of  the  element  and  doctrine  of  the  sacra- 
ment. And  our  Assemblies  have  correctly  held  that  the  form  called 
by  the  Popish  communion  "Christian  baptism"  has  ceased  for  both 
reasons  to  be  valid,  because  that  society  is  declared  in  Scriptvu'e  to  be 
antichrist,  and  Babylon,  and  apostate,  out  of  which  the  Lord  requireth 
his  "people  to  come,  that  they  may  not  be  partakers  of  her  plagues," 
and  because  she  hath,  with  superstitious  design,  substituted  a  mixed 
element  in  place  of  water,  which  Christ  ordained  to  be  used  as  the 
emblem,  and  hath  utterly  corrupted  the  doctrine  of  holy  baptism  into 
an  incantation  working  ex  opere  operato.  (See  sections  on  "Baptism 
as  a  Bui'ial,"  (p.  345,)  and  "Valid  Baptism"  (p.  351).) 

578.    (JiimpbelUte  and  Unitarian  baptism. 

1870,  p.  536.  Inquiry  fro;n  Rev.  W.  H.  Vernon:  "When  members 
in  good  standing  in  the  Christian  Church  (commonly  called  Camj)beDite), 
who  have  been  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  apply,  with 


Sf.cs.  579,  580.]  Ordinances.  349 

or  witliout  letters,  for  membership  in  connection  with  our  Chui'ch,  shall 
such  persons  invariably  be  re-baptized?" 

Reply :  The  priiiciples  set  forth  in  the  deUverance  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  1814,  concerning  the  baptism  of  Unitarians,  and  in  the 
deliverance  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1845,  concerning  Poj^ish  bap- 
tism, (see  Eaird's  Digest,  Book  III.,\Secs.  12,  18,  pp.  102,  103,)  neces- 
sarily imply  the  invalidity  of  baptism  as  administered  by  ministers 
commonly  known  as  CampbeUites;  and  persons  so  baptized  only  by 
ministers  of  that  body,  coming  into  our  connexion,  should  invariably 
be  baptized  before  being  admitted  to  the  Lord's  table. 

1882,  JO.  573.  Overture  from  Transylvania  Presbytery,  asldug  the 
Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  to  consider  the  vaUdity  of  Campbellite 
baptism,  and  the  C[uestions  involved  in  a  recagnition  of  the  same,  with 
a  view  to  rescinding  the  action  of  the  Assembly  of  1870  in  this  matter. 
It  is  recommended  that  the  Assembly  give  the  following  answer: 

The  organization  known  as  the  Campbellite,  or  Christian,  Church 
px'ofesses  to  receive  the  Scriptures  as  the  Word  of  God,  but  has  no 
authoritative  exposition  thereof,  or  confession  of  faith;  further,  as  each 
church  is  absolutely  independent  of  all  the  other  chui'ches,  the  greatest 
variety  of  doctrine  must  of  necessity  prevail.  It  seems  difficult,  there- 
fore, to  deal  with  the  denomination  as  a  unit  or  organic  whole — diffi- 
cult to  affirm  or  deny  anything  as  true  or  false  of  the  whole  body.  To 
affiLi'm  that  no  minister  of  that  denomination  ever  administers  Christian 
baptism,  is  a  proposition  that  this  Assembly  is  not  prepared  to  accept ; 
and  the  decision  of  the  question  of  how  far  the  certificates  and  sacra- 
ments of  the  churches  of  that  denomination  are  to  be  recognized  and 
received  must  be  left  to  the  sessions  and  Presbyteries  immediately  in- 
terested in  the  subject. 

579.  May  non-professing  parents  present  their  children  for  baptism  f 

1869,  p.  376.  Overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Charleston,  which  is 
in  these  words  :  "Is  it  an  infraction  of  our  standards  for  one  of  oui* 
ministers  to  baptize  the  infant  child  of  a  parent,  or  the  ward  of  a  guar- 
dian standing  in  loco  parentis,  who  has  not  professed  personal  faith 
in  Christ,  but  who  was  baptized  in  infancy  I" 

Answered  in  tlie  affirmative.  The  Assembly  would  refer  the  Pres- 
byteiy  to  the  following  portions  of  our  standai'ds  as  reasons  for  this 
answer :  first,  Sec.  IV.  of  Chap.  XXVIII.  of  the  Confession  of  Faith ; 
secondly,  the  answer  to  the  166th  Question  of  oiu-  Larger  Catechism ; 
thirdly,  the  answer  to  the  95th  Question  of  owe  Shorter  Catechism. 

580.  Baptism  of  the  children  of  susjiended  membtrs. 

1870,  p.  537.  Inquiry  from  Rev.  W.  H.  Vernor:  "Are  the  infants 
of  suspended  members,  upon  the  application  of  suspended  parents,  to 
receive  the  ordinance  of  baptism  before  said  suspension  i.-^  removed?" 

The  following  minute  was  adopted :  The  cases  being  so  various  in 
which  the  disciplinary  sentence  of  suspension,  which  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  Chap.  XXX.,  defines  as  "  suspension  from  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  for  a  season,"  may  be  pronounced,  it  would  be  inexpe- 
dient to  enact  an  invariable  rule  to  cover  all  cases  alike.  The  decision 
upon  each  case  as  it  arises  should  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  ses- 
sion of  the  church. 


350  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  V. 

581.  Neglect  of  infant  baptism. 

1871,  p.  32.  Whereas  there  appears  to  be  in  some  portions  of  our 
Church  a  degree  of  neglect  on  the  part  of  Christian  parents  in  present- 
ing their  children,  at  the  proper  time,  for  baptism,  which  this  Assem- 
bly regards  as  giving  occasion  to  those  who  do  not  appreciate  this  holy 
sacrament  to  speak  against  the  truth,  and  which  is  detrimental  to 
household  religion  and  to  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  children  of  the 
covenant ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  Presbyteries  composing  this  General  Assem- 
bly be,  and  they  are  hereby,  instructed  to  bring  this  subject  distinctly 
before  the  minds  of  our  people,  and  to  take  measui-es  to  ascertain  to 
what  extent  parents  in  their  respective  bounds  are  forgetting  their 
covenant  vows,  and  send*up  to  the  next  General  xlssembly  specific  re- 
ports on  this  subject. 

2.  That  the  publications  of  our  committee  on  the  subject  of  baptism, 
and  especially  on  infant  baptism,  should  be  disseminated  and  carefully 
read  throughout  our  whole  boiuids,  in  order  to  correct  the  evil  referred 
to ;  and  that  the  stated  clerks  of  the  several  Presbyteries  be,  and  they 
are  hereby,  advised  to  procure  and  circulate  such  publications  among 
their  chui'ches. 

582.  Baptism  of  unconscious  adults. 

1871,  p.  19.  Overture  from  the  Eev.  T.  L.  DeVeaux,  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Florida  :  Is  it  right  to  baptize  a  person  whose  recovery  from  the 
delirium  of  fever  is  despaired  of,  but  who,  inimedlately  before  he  lapsed 
into  the  delirium,  professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  asked  to  be  baptized "? 
In  other  words.  Is  it  right  ever  to  baptize  an  unconscious  adult  person? 

Ileply:  The  sacraments  are  rational  and  spiritual  means  of  grace, 
and  cannot  change  the  spiritual  state  of  any  soul  ex  opere  operato.  The 
Shorter  Catechism  (Question  94)  defines  baptism  as  "signifying  and 
sealing  our  ingrafting  into  Christ,  and  partaking  the  benefits  of  the 
covenant  of  grace,  and  our  engagement  to  he  the  Lords."  The  Scrip- 
tures hold  out  sundry  instances  of  believers  in  a  state  of  salvation  with- 
out water  baptism,  thereby  showing  that  it  is  not  in  every  case  neces- 
sary to  redemption.  Experience  has  also  taught  us  the  propiiety  of 
caution  in  judging  professions  of  faith  and  repentance  made  in  sickness, 
either  favorably  or  adversely.  For  all  which  reasons  this  Assembly 
decides  that  an  unconscious  adult,  in  the  condition  described  in  the 
above  overture,  is  not  a  suitable  subject  for  baptism. 

583.   Baptism  in.  extremis. 

1878,  p.  634.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Potosi,  asking,  "  Is 
it  agreeable  to  the  faith  and  practice  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  a 
minister  of  the  gospel  to  administer  the  sacrament  of  baptism  to  an 
adult  in,  extremis,  in  case  said  person  professes  faith  in  Christ,  without 
being  received  into  church  membership  f 

To  this  inquiry  it  is  answered : 

1.  That  the  Assembly  does  not  question  the  right  of  pastors  to  ad- 
minister the  ordinance  of  baptism  to  any  who  make  a  creditable  pro- 
fession (^f  faith  in  Christ,  but  advises  the  exercise  of  great  care  and 
prudence  in  teaching  such  adult  applicants  as  are  in  extreme  iUness 
the  true  use  and  meaning  of  this  ordinance,  in  order  that  no  counte- 
nance be  given  to  the  doctrine  of  baptismal  regeneration. 


Sec.  584.]  Ordinances.  351 

2.  As  to  use  of  baptism  in  admitting  such  persons  into  the  Chiu'ch, 
see  Larger  Catechism,  Questions  165, 166,  especiaDy  the  clause  "where- 
by the  parties  baptized  are  solemnly  admitted  into  the  visible  Ohiu'ch," 
and  "baptism  is  not  to  be  administered  to  any  out  of  the  visible 
Church." 

584.    Valid  baptism. 

1870,  p.  537.  -Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  apjjointed,  which  shaU 
present  to  the  next  Assembly  a  report  of  full  and  clear  instruction  to 
the  Church  on  the  whole  subject  of  valid  baptism,  and  the  extent  to 
which  baptism  administered  by  other  churches  should  be  recognized. 

This  committee  was  appointed,  to  consist  of  the  Kev.  Drs.  R.  L.  Dab- 
ney,  Thomas  E.  Peck,  J.  B.  Adger,  and  George  Howe. 

1871,  p.  30.  Your  committee,  in  fubSlment  of  the  duty  above  as- 
signed them,  would  beg  leave  to  refer  to  the  Assembly's  Digest,  Book 
in.,  Pt.  I.,  Chap  2.  This  chapter,  from  the  enactments  of  previous 
Assemblies,  presents  what  aj)pears  to  us  to  be  a  safe  and  scriptural 
collection  of  rules  concerning  vahd  and  invaUd  baptism.  We  are  there 
taught  that  baptism  is  in  no  case  to  be  administered  by  any  save  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  called  to  be  a  steward  of  the  myste- 
ries of  God  (see  Dii'ector}'  of  Worship,  Chap.  "VTL,  Sec.  I.) :  that 
baptism  by  a  clerical  imposter,  who  has  in  fact  never  received  ordi- 
nation to  the  ministry  in  any  church  of  Christ,  or  by  a  minister  duly 
suspended  or  deposed,  is  invalid,  and  so  null  and  void ;  that,  although 
the  personal  unworthiness  of  a  minister  officiating  in  any  church  of 
Christ  does  not  invahdate  the  ordinances  of  that  communion,  yet  pecu- 
liar and  intentional  profanity  in  the  administration  of  a  particular  bap- 
tism may  properly  render  it  invalid;  but  in  this  case  the  chiu'ch  ses- 
sion and  pastor  are  the  best  judges,  and  must  decide  from  the  particu- 
lar circumstances  whether  to  re-administer  the  sacrament  in  a  regular 
manner;  and  that  all  baptisms  administered  in  the  Unitaiian  and 
Popish  communions  are  invalid.  We  respectfully  recommend  to  the 
Assembly  to  reaffii'm  all  these  rules. 

The  Assembly  of  1870,  being  asked  whether  persons  who  have  been 
baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity  in  the  "Christian  Church" 
(commonly  called  CampbeUite),  and  applying  for  membership  in  our 
Chiu'ch,  shall  be  invariably  re-baptized,  did,  from  the  same  principles, 
answer  this  question  in  the  affii'mative,  whereupon  was  adopted  the 
resolution  a^Dpointing  to  the  undersigned  the  present  duty. 

If  any  other  instruction  to  the  churches  is  needed  on  "the  whole 
subject  of  valid  baptism,  and  the  extent  to  which  baptism  administered 
by  other  churches  should  be  recognized."  we  would  respectfully  sub- 
mit the  following: 

Inasmuch  as  contact  may  hereafter  arise  with  religious  denomina- 
tions now  having  no  relations  with  our  Church,  or  not  even  in  existence 
at  present,  this  instruction  cannot  now  be  given  by  a  complete  specific 
enumeration.  It  can  only  consist  of  the  statement  of  scriptural  princi- 
ples which  determine  each  case  as  it  arises. 

Our  Church  has  always  held,  agreeably  to  the  Scripture,  that  the 
administration  of  baptism  may  present  ii'regularities  or  imperfections 
which  are  not  to  be  apjiroved,  but  the  sacrament  may  stUl  have  sub- 
stantial validity.  It  is  plain  from  the  Scripture,  that  baptism  has  by 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  been  given  to  his  true  visible  Church  catholic 


352  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  V. 

(see  Matt,  xviii,  19,  20 ;  Acts  ii.  41,  42 ;  1  Cor.  xii.  13 ;  Book  of  Gov- 
ernment, Chap.  VII. ;  Directory  of  Worship,  Chap.  VII.,  Sec.  I ),  and 
cannot  be  out  of  her  pale.  The  administration  of  this  sacrament  may- 
be in  two  ways  invahdated :  either  by  the  apostasy  of  the  body  wherein 
it  is  exercised,  so  that  this  society  is  no  true  part  of  Christ's  visible 
Church ;  or  by  the  utter  change  or  corruption  of  the  element  and  doc- 
trine of  the  sacrament.  And  our  Assemblies  have  correctly  held,  that 
the  form  called  by  the  Popish  communion  "Christian  baptism"  has 
ceased,  for  both  reasons,  to  be  valid ;  because  that  society  is  declared 
in  Scripture  to  be  antichrist,  and  Babylon,  and  apostate,  out  of  which 
the  Lord  requireth  his  "people  to  come,  that  they  may  not  be  partakers 
of  her  plagues;"  and  because  she  hath,  with  superstitious  design,  sub- 
stituted a  mixed  element  in  place  of  water,  which  Christ  ordained  to 
be  used  as  the  emblem,  and  hath  utterly  corrupted  the  doctrine  of  holy 
baptism  into  an  incantation  working  e.i-  opere  operato. 

In  other  societies,  as  the  Unitarian,  their  rites  may  have  due  regu- 
larity of  outward  form,  and  yet  be  no  valid  baptism,  because  these 
bodies  are  not  true  parts  of  Christ's  visible  Church.  The  vahdity  of 
such  cases  therefore  depends  upon  the  claim  of  the  communion  in 
which  they  are  administered  to  be  true  churches  of  Jesus  Christ.  But 
the  scriptural  mark  of  a  true  church  is  its  holding  forth  the  Word  of 
God.  (See  Eom.  iii.  2  ;  1  Tim.  iii.  15  ;  Book  of  Government,  Chap.  II., 
Sec.  II. ;  Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXV.,  Sec.  III.) 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  several  churches  hold  grave  errors  in  con- 
nection with  much  saving  truth,  and  that  perhaps  no  church  receives  in 
everything  the  exact  mind  of  the  Spirit,  it  may  be  asked.  With  what 
degree  of  strictness  or  liberality  this  mark  of  a  true  visible  Church  is 
to  be  applied.  It  seems  to  us  consonant  to  the  Scriptures  and  the 
judgment  of  charity  to  answer,  that  so  long  as  any  communion  so  re- 
tains the  essential  truths  of  God's  Word  and  the  aids  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  as  to  save  souls  by  its  ministrations,  it  shaU  be  held  a  true, 
though  imperfect,  member  of  his  visible  body.  Though  it  may  omit 
or  impugn  some  principles  which  we  have  received  from  God,  and  may 
even  deny  to  oui-  ordinances  all  recognition,  and  to  our  communion  all 
church  character,  yet  we  may  not  imitate  its  uncharitableness ;  so  long 
as  Christ  visibly  entrusts  it  with  his  sa\dng  Word  and  Spirit,  we  are 
bound  to  recognize  it  as  of  his  visible  body,  notwithstanding  its  errors, 
and  to  pray  for  its  attainment  of  a  more  peaceable  unity  in  the  bonds 
of  the  truth.  But  in  judging  the  tendency  of  its  ordinances  to  save 
souls,  it  is  obviously  proper  that  we  shall  estimate  those  ministrations 
as  a  consistent  whole,  as  set  forth  by  this  communion.  If  their  only 
tendency  as  a  whole,  taken  as  it  expoimds  them  to  its  members,  is  de- 
structive to  souls,  then  we  cannot  admit  that  it  is  a  piUar  and  ground 
of  saving  truth,  merely  because  of  some  disjointed  fragments  of  the 
gospel  verities,  mixed  with  heresies  which,  if  heartily  accepted  by  the 
people  as  taught,  must  be  fatal  to  souls,  or  because  a  few  persons, 
through  the  special  teaching  of  God's  Spirit,  leachng  them  to  select  the 
spiritual  meat  and  reject  the  poison,  actually  find  Christ  imder  those 
ministi-atious ;  for  the  proper  fimction  of  a  visible  Chm-ch  is  instru- 
mentaUy  to  communicate  to  its  disciples  spiritual  discernment,  and  not 
to  presuppose  it ;  and  the  hapjjy  escape  of  these  souls  from  damnable 
error  is  due  to  the  special  grace  of  God  shielding  them  against  the  regu- 
lar effect  of  these  ministrations,  rather  than  employing  and  blessing 


Sec.  584.]  Ordinances.  353 

them.  If  this  rule  of  judgment  be  denied,  then  might  a  vahd  chvurch 
character  possibly  be  estabhshed  for  an  association  of  infidels  investi- 
gating parts  of  God's  Word  only  for  purposes  of  ca"sil,  since  the  Al- 
mighty Spirit  might,  against  those  purposes,  employ  those  parts  of  the 
Word  to  awaken  and  convert  some  member. 

When  we  examine  the  numerous  societies  fomided  by  Mr.  Alexander 
Campbell  and  his  coadjutors,  we  find  that  their  distinctive  principle  is 
a  rejection  of  all  use  whatsoever  of  creeds  or  symbols  of  faith  of 
human  composition,  as  anti-scriptural,  and  infringing  liberty  of  con- 
science and  Christian  unity ;  but  none  the  less  do  we  find,  in  the  teach- 
ings of  their  recognized  fotmders  and  leaders,  a  particular  theological 
system  which  has  generally  among  them  the  virtual  force  of  an  accepted 
creed,  even  to  the  extent  of  being  employed  as  a  test  of  ministei'ial 
standing  and  rule  of  expulsion.  The  leading  points  of  this  system  we 
find  to  be  the  following : 

The  inspiration  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  is  admitted,  but  the 
authority  of  the  former  as  a  rule  of  salvation  under  the  new  dispensa- 
tion is  superseded.  The  death  of  man's  soul  in  sin,  and  his  inability  of 
wiU  unto  aU  spiritual  good,  are  denied.  A  temporal  sonship  of  Christ, 
with  his  diriuity  and  vicarious  sacrifice,  are  held,  as  also  the  personaHty 
and  mission  of  the  Holy  Ghost  as  Comforter.  Justification,  which  is 
defined  to  be  remission  of  sins  only,  is  on  account  of  the  merit  of 
Christ's  sacrifice  alone  ;  and  this  merit  received  by  faith  is  first  appHed 
and  sealed  to  the  believer  only  in  immersion,  than  which  no  other 
water-baptism  is  recognized.  This  faith,  when  genuine  and  justifying, 
always  worketh  by  love,  producing  repentance  imto  hfe;  but  the  re- 
newing and  quickening  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  producing  this 
faith  and  repentance  is  expressly  denied,  save  as  he  exercises  a  moral 
suasion,  by  holding  forth  inducements  thereto  in  the  Scriptui'es :  and 
the  sinner  is  required  to  quicken  himself  unto  the  exercise  of  these 
saving  graces  of  his  own  free  will ;  for  it  is  declared  that  no  man  can 
receive  the  Spirit  until  after  he  hath  received  Christ  and  been  recon- 
ciled to  him  in  immersion.  The  mission  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  there- 
fore, according  to  them,  only  to  promote  the  comfort  and  sanctification 
of  the  behever  after  his  adoption  by  dwelling  in  his  soul.  Regeneration 
is  taught  to  be  no  more  than  the  introduction  of  a  j^erson  into  an  es- 
tate of  reconcihation.  This,  taken  \rith  other  preceding  propositions, 
manifestly  abolishes  the  whole  doctrine  of  effectual  calling.  As  faith 
is  made  prerequisite  to  baptism  in  every  case,  infant  baptism  and  the 
membership  of  the  children  of  believers  in  Christ's  Church  are  utterly 
repudiated.  And  as  the  only  faith  reqiiired  for  adult  baptism  is  the 
temporally  faith  of  the  soul  exercising  solely  its  native  powers  (whereas 
the  Scriptures  require  of  adults  a  livmg  faith  in  order  to  baptism),  it  is 
hard  to  see  what  part  of  the  doctrine  of  baptism  is  left  uncorrupted. 
While  this  is  the  system  of  faith  which  distinguishes  tlieu*  body,  they 
require,  as  the  only  declared  basis  for  Christian  communion,  the  recep- 
tion of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  salvation,  expressed  and  sealed  in  im- 
mersion. 

If  yoiu-  committee  may  believe  the  current  testimony  within  and  with- 
out these  societies,  while  some  who  are  admitted  to  them  hold  more, 
many  hold  less  of  God's  saring  truth  than  is  embraced  in  the  above 
eri'oneous  and  fragmentary  doctrine.  Such  must  be  the  result  of  theii* 
rejection  of  all  symbols  of  behef.     If  this  first  principle  be  consistently 

23 


354  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  V. 

carried  out,  any  one  who  is  willing  to  attest  in  immersion  a  profession 
of  his  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  as  God's  Son,  and  his  Saviour,  must  be  ad- 
mitted to  communion,  and  may  be  admitted  to  the  ministry — whatever 
may  be  the  sense  in  which  he  construes  the  terms  "faith,"  "Messiah," 
"sonship  to  God,"  and  "salvation" — although  that  construction  maybe 
Sabellian,  Arian,  Pelagian,  or  Socinian.  To  this  must  be  added  the  fact 
that  these  societies  admit  no  theory  of  church  government  save  the  In- 
dependent, and  no  superior  church  com'ts  of  review  and  control. 
Whatever,  then,  may  be  the  excellence  of  one  member  or  one  congre- 
gation in  this  denomination,  the  Christian  world  has  no  evidence  or 
guarantee  that  the  next  is  not  of  a  far  diflerent  chax'acter. 

In  such  circumstances,  even  if  the  Assembly  admitted  that  the  sys- 
tem above  delineated  contained  sufficient  substance  of  saving  truth  to 
redeem  the  soul  embracing  it,  this  difficulty  would  remain :  this  com- 
munion refuses  us  all  guarantee  that  the  person  baptized  into  its  pale 
held  at  the  time  even  that  fragmentary  outline.  We  are  persistently 
left  in  the  dark  whether  both  he  and  the  minister  who  baptized  him, 
and  the  congregation  which  received  him,  may  not  have  apprehended 
the  Trinity  whose  name  was  used,  the  faith  professed,  and  the  salva- 
tion embraced,  in  the  sense  of  the  unbelieving  Pelagian  or  Socinian, 
unless  we  happen  to  have  the  incidental  evidence  of  a  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  these  several  parties.  In  these  circumstances,  there  aj)pears 
no  way  for  the  Church  to  protect  the  testimony  and  sacraments  of  her 
divine  Head  from  disparagement  (a  sacred  duty,  in  the  performance  of 
which  no  option  is  left  us),  except  to  refuse  to  recognize  in  that  body, 
as  a  whole,  a  part  of  Christ's  true  \'isible  Church.  Believing  that  it 
embraces  many  individuals  and  some  congregations  who  are  true  saints 
of  God,  we  sincerely  regret,  for  the  sake  of  these,  the  necessity  of  assum- 
ing this  gromid.  But  it  is  a  necessity  which  they  create,  in  refusing  to 
separate  themselves,  by  a  definite  testimony,  from  those  who  teach 
"  another  gospel " ;  for  om'  Sovereign  Lord  has  strictly  forbidden  us  to 
bid  God-speed  to  such.     Adopted. 

585.   Liturgy  for  Public  Worship). 

18G4,  p.  388.  The  following  paper  was  presented  by  J.  T.  L.  Pres- 
ton, and,  on  motion  of  Eev.  P.  T.  Penick,  laid  on  the  table : 

Inasmuch  as  the  Directory  of  Worship  of  the  Presbyterian  Chm-ch 
prescribes  an  outline  of  prayer  in  the  public  worship  of  God,  and  sug- 
gests topics  which  are  always  appropriate  to  his  people  in  their  solemn 
assemblies  in  his  house — such  as  adoration,  supplication,  and  peni- 
tential confession  of  sin — wovild  it  be  in  accordance  with  the  princi- 
ples and  early  usages  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  calculated  to 
promote  the  decorum  and  devotional  character  of  its  public  service,  to 
introduce  a  iew  scriptural  and  well  considered  forms  of  i)rayei-,  requir- 
ing responses  on  the  i:»art  of  the  congregation,  the  use  of  such  forms 
to  be  optional  on  the  part  of  pastors  conducting  these  services  ? 

jRcfiolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  to  take  into  consid- 
eration the  above  subject,  and  to  repcn't  thereon  at  the  next  meeting  of 
the  Assembly. 

1865,  p.  375.  A  motion  was  made  by  Col.  Preston  to  take  up  a  reso- 
lution in  regard  to  liturgies,  which  had  been  laid  on  the  table  at  the 
last  General  Assenil)lv,  which  motion  was  lost. 


Secs.  586-589.]  Ordinances.  355 

1872,  p.  154.  Ruling  Elder  J.  T.  L.  Prestou  introduced  the  follow- 
ing resolution.  After  citing  by  way  of  preamble  the  same  language, 
word  for  word,  found  in  his  resolution  ofifered  in  1864  (see  above),  these 
words  follow :  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  by  this  Assem- 
bly to  make  to  the  next  General  Assemljly  a  repcjrt  responsive  to  the 
above  in{|uirv. 

P.  102.  This  paper  was  taken  fmni  the  docket,  and,  after  discus- 
sion, the  motion  to  adopt  the  paper  was  rejected;  on  an  "aye  and  no" 
vote — ayes,  5;  noes,  102;  non  liq'iet,  1. 

580.    Dlrtciorii  for  the  Ohldtloii. 

1868,  p.  278.  The  committee  Avould  suggest  to  the  Assembly  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a  "Directory  for  the  Oblation," 
to  be  inserted  in  the  Directory  of  Worship,  consisting  mainly  of  refer- 
ences to  passages  of  Scripture  containing  the  doctrine  of  oblation,  which 
might  be  recited  by  the  minister  before  or  during  the  offering  of  their 
gifts  by  the  congregation.  In  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  such  a 
directory  would  serve  to  keep  this  great  doctrine  before  the  faith  and 
consciences  of  believers.     Adopted. 

P.  281.  Rev.  Drs.  M.  D.  Hoge  and  T.  E.  Peck  were  appointed  such 
committee. 

587.  Jiurial  Service. 

1880,  -p.  190.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Orange,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  provide,  and  have  bound  with  our  collection  of  Psalms  and 
H^Tiins,  a  suitable  burial  serrice  for  the  optional  use  of  la>-men. 

This  overture  was  referred  to  the  committee  appointed  to  revise  the 
Directory  of  Worship. 

588.   77ie  Benediction. 

1881,  p.  300.  The  records  of  the  S}Tiod  of  Missouri  wei*e  approved, 
with  the  exception  that,  on  page  23,  it  appears  that  the  S}Tiod,  in  reply 
to  an  overture  asking,  "Are  not  oiu'  various  forms  of  so-caUed  benedic- 
tions prayers?"  gave  the  answer,  "They  are  prayers."  Exception  was 
taken  to  this  answer,  because  of  its  inconsistency  with  the  Form  of 
Government,  Chap.  II.,  Sec.  IV.,  Art.  V.:  and  ^-ith  Chap.  TV.,  See. 

.n.,  Art.  IV. 

589.  JJ<iy  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

1866,  p.  39.  In  view  of  the  manifold  sins  and  dangers  of  oiu-  peo- 
ple, the  privations  and  distress  to  which  many  of  them  have  been  re- 
duced, and  especially  in  the  hope  that  it  may  please  God,  in  answer  to 
our  i)rayei's,  to  bestow  his  blessing  on  our  Church  in  all  her  spiritual 
interests  and  Christian  enterprises,  liesolced.  That  the  last  Thursday 
of  February,  1807,  be  appointed  a  day  of  fasting,  humihatit)n,  and 
prayer,  to  be  observed  by  all  the  ministers,  families  and  congrega- 
tions under  the  General  Assembly. 

1867,  p.  137.  Overture  from  the  Synod  of  South  Carohna,  in  regai'd 
to  appointing  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.     The  following  was  adopted : 

lii'.tolred,  That  this  Assembly  recommend  the  24th  day  of  Januaiy, 
1868,  as  a  da}'  of  fasting  and  prayer,  and  ui'ge  upon  all  our  churches, 
in  view  of  the  extraordinary  distress  of  God's  people  in  this  land,  to  ob- 
sei've  said  dav  bv  suitable  reli<Trious  exercises. 


356  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

1868,  p.  280.  Ill  \iew  of  the  general  condition  of  ova-  Chiu-ch  and 
country,  be  it  Hesolved,  That  Thursday  before  the  first  Sabbath  in 
August  next  be  appointed  and  set  apart  by  this  Assembly  as  a  day  of 
fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer,  to  be  observed  in  all  our  churches. 

590.  Day  of  thanksgiving  a7id prayer. 

1872,  p.  166.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  SjTiod  of  South 
Carolina,  tlie  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures  recommend  that  the 
third  Thursday  of  November  next  be  observed  as  a  day  of  special 
thanksgiving  to  God  for  his  mercies  to  us  as  a  church,  and  of  humilia- 
tion and  earnest  supplication  to  God  for  an  abimdant  outpouring  of  his 
Spirit  on  all  our  pastors  and  congTegations.     Adopted. 

591.  Family  worship. 

1883,  p.  21.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbj-tery  of  Pa- 
ducah,  the  committee  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  grant  the 
request,  and  appoint  a  committee  to  draft  a  pastoral  letter,  bringing 
the  subject  of  family  worship,  and  the  apparent  results  of  its  neglect  ia 
a  prevalent  w^oiidliness  and  startling  failure  of  the  covenant  sons  of  the 
Church  to  consecrate  themselves  to  the  gospel  ministiy,  before  the  con- 
gregations under  its  care. 

Note. — It  does  uot  appear  that  this  committee  was  ever  appointed. 

1884,  p.  207.  The  Presbytery  of  Paducah  respectfully  overtui-es  the 
General  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  to  draft  a  pastoral  letter, 
bringing  the  subject  of  family  prayer  before  the  congregations  under 
its  care,  and  impressing  upon  our  pastors  the  solemn  obligation  of 
urging  it  on  their  respective  congregations. 

Ansioer:  We  recommend  that  the  request  be  granted,  and  that  a 
committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  draft  said  letter. 

This  committee  thus  ordered  was  appointed,  to  consist  of  Rev.  T.  R. 
Markham,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  R.  Burgett,  D.  D.,  and  RuHng  Elder  J.  S. 
Raymond.  Elder  W.  F.  Ogden  was  later  substituted  for  the  last  named 
on  the  committee.  The  letter  prepared  is  found  on  page  459,  Appendix 
to  Minutes  for  1885. 

1885,  p.  425.  Whereas  the  Narratives  from  Presbyteries  so  uni- 
formly report  sad,  deplorable,  distressing  neglect  of  family  worship  and 
catechetical  instruction  in  the  household,  therefore^ — 

Be.  it  resolved^  That  this  Assembly  recommends  that  the  Presbyte- 
ries instruct  eveiy  minister  having  the  care  of  souls  within  oiu'  boimds, 
to  preach  during  the  month  of  October,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practi- 
cable (and  frequently  in  the  future),  a  sermon  on  the  importance  of 
family  worship,  to  be  followed  by  one  on  parental  responsibihty ;  these 
sermons  to  be  preached  in  every  congregation,  at  a  time  most  favorable 
for  a  large  attendance ;  and  that  Presbyteries  require  from  every  pas- 
tor a  report  as  to  his  dihgence  in  the  performance  of  this  duty. 

592.  Pastoral  letter  on  religious  training  hi  the  family,  and  the  church 
attendance  of  children. 

1873,  p.  306.  In  response  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Memphis,  the  Assembly  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  pastoral 
letter  on  religious  training  in  the  family,  and  the  importance  of  parents 
accustoming  their  children  to  worship  with  them  regularly  ia  the  sanc- 
tuary on  the  Sabbath.     The  letter  is  found  on  page  336  of  the  Minutes. 


Sec.  593.]  Ordinances.  357 

593.    Committee  to  prepare  a  Hymn  Book. 

1861,  p.  31.     From  Rev.  R.  Mclnnis :  "  The  Assembly  is  overtured  to 

appoint  a  committee  of ,  to  revise  and  prepare  for  the  use  of  our 

Church  a  suitable  Hymn  Book,  and  report  the  same  to  the  next  General 
Assembly." 

Ansioer :  It  is  recommended  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  revise 
our  Book  of  Psalms  and  Hymns,  and  report  to  the  General  Assembly  as 
soon  as  they  can  be  prepared. 

P.  40.  Rev.  Drs.  B.  M.  Palmer,  T.  V.  Moore,  Thomas  Smythe,  J.  B. 
Stratton,  and  John  W.  Pratt,  were  constituted  such  committee. 

1863,  p.  123.  A  report  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  tirst  As- 
sembly to  revise  the  collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  now  in  use  was 
read  by  its  chairman,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  and  was,  on  motion  of  the 
Rev.  John  Miller,  referred  to  a  committee  of  five  for  examination,  with 
directions  to  report  to  this  Assembly.  The  moderator  appointed  upon 
this  committee,  C.  W.  Lane,  E.  McNaii',  Dr.  J.  L.  Wilson,  ministers; 
and  J.  N.  AVhitner  and  George  J.  S.  Walker,  ruhng  elders. 

P.  144.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee upon  the  Revision  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  and  Hjnnns,  together 
with  the  manuscript  containing  the  result  of  the  labor  of  said  commit- 
tee, beg  leave  to  report,  recommending  the  adoption  of  the  following 
resolutions : 

Resolved,  1,  That  five  hundred  copies  of  the  entire  report  of  the 
Committee  of  Revision  be  published  in  pamphlet  form ;  also,  that  said 
report  be  published  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly. 

2.  That  inasmuch  as  the  manuscript  Hymn  Book  submitted  can  only 
be  regarded  as  a  beginning  of  the  work  of  revision,  notwithstanding  the 
diligence,  labor  and  skill  expended  upon  its  preparation,  the  committee 
shall  be  continued  for  another  year,  with  the  addition  thereto  of  the  Rev. 
John  Leybuni,  D.  D.,  and  the  Rev.  G.  H.  W.  Petrie,  D.  D. 

3.  That  the  committee  be  dii'ected  to  confer  with  the  Committee 
of  Conference  upon  Psalmody  appointed  by  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  and  to  make  such  propositions  in  the  premises  as  to  them  may 
seem  advisable,  subject  to  the  actiim  of  the  General  Assembly. 

4.  That  suggestions  and  criticisms  relating  to  the  new  Hymn  Book 
be  in\'ited  from  all  parts  of  the  Church,  with  the  request  that  they  be 
communicated  directly  to  one  or  more  members  of  the  Committee  of 
Revision. 

This  report,  specifying  the  particular  changes  which  the  committee  propose  in  the 
Hymn  Book,  together  with  the  canons  they  adopted  for  their  gtiidance  in  their 
work,  is  found  on  page  176,  Minutes  of  1863.  — A. 

18()4,  p.  249.  This  committee  submitted  a  further  report,  recom- 
mending additional  changes,  which  they  specify  in  theii'  report.  They 
aay :  "  In  view  of  the  difficulties  which  now  exist  as  to  publishing,  and 
to  secure  more  fully  the  judgment  of  the  Church  as  to  the  proposed 
changes,  the  committee  would  respectfully  suggest  that  the  book  be 
held  under  consideration  for  another  year;  that  this  report  be  pubhshed 
as  supplementary  to  that  made  to  the  last  Assembly ;  that  further  crit- 
icism be  invited  from  all  who  are  interested  in  the  work,  and  that  the 
committee  be  allowed  another  opportunity  to  review  their  own  selec- 
tions, and  to  present  the  book  to  the  next  Assembly  for  final  adoption." 
Report  adopted  (p.  288). 


358  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  having  reported  in  substance  that  it 
had  been  found  impracticable,  owing  to  the  distracted  state  of  the 
comitry,  for  the  committee  to  convene  since  the  last  report,  and  having 
recommended  the  formation  of  a  new  committee  to  j^rosecute  the  work 
of  revision,  and  that  this  committee  be  so  constructed  that  its  members 
shall  be  locally  convenient  to  each  other,  so  as  to  secure  easily  a  meet- 
ing (1865,  p.  353),  it  was— 

1865,  p.  374.  Resolved,  That  the  suggestion  in  relation  to  a  new 
committee  be  adopted  in  part,  so  as  to  include  a  part  of  the  old  in  the 
new.  That,  according  to  this  arrangement,  the  following  be  the  com- 
mittee, viz. :  Drs.  T.  V.  Moore,  Moses  Hoge,  C.  H.  Eead,  Wm.  Brown, 
J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  Thomas  Smythe,  J.  D.  Mitchell,  E.  L.  Dabney,  and 
B.  M.  Palmer ;  Kev.  Messrs.  Dod  and  J.  L.  Girardeau. 

That  this  committee  be  instructed  to  complete  their  work  as  soon  as 
possible,  consistently  with  its  great  importance,  and  report  to  the  next 
Assembly. 

That  this  committee  be  instructed  -to  initiate  measures  for  the  com- 
pilation of  suitable  music  for  the  Hymn  Book,  which  will  be  adapted 
alike  for  social  and  public  worship,  and  for  the  use  of  Sabbath-schools. 

That  the  Committee  on  Psalmody  be  instructed  to  select  from  the 
book  which  they  may  compile  such  hymns  as  may  be  especially  adapted 
to  the  use  of  Sabbath-schools,  which,  with  such  other  hymns  as  the 
committee  may  deem  suitable,  shall  be  printed  in  a  separate  volume. 

1866,  p.  13.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the 
Hymn  Book  was  presented,  on  behalf  of  that  committee,  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  William  Brown.  The  Rev.  C.  S.  Dod,  a  member  of  the  committee, 
presented  a  minority  report,  when,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Woodrow,  both  of 
these  reports,  with  both  the  volumes  of  hymns  prepared,  were  referred 
to  a  committee,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  report  such  further  action 
as  might  be  judged  advisable.  Messrs.  Woodi'ow,  Graham,  Cochran, 
Campbell,  Estes,  Walker,  and  Bartlett,  were  appointed  said  committee. 

P.  22.  The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Revision  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  and  Hynms,  the  minority  re- 
port presented  by  the  Rev.  Charles  S.  Dod,  with  other  papers,  begs 
leave  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Revision  be  ap- 
proved. 

2.  That  the  minority  report  and  other  papers  referred  to  this  com- 
mittee be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Revision. 

3.  That  the  committee  be  directed  to  incorporate  in  the  Book  of 
Psalms  not  less  than  fifty  from  the  version  used  in  the  Scottish  churches, 
arranging  these  under  the  several  Psalms,  as  part  1st,  2nd,  etc.,  as  it 
may  deem  best. 

4.  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wm.  Banks  and  J.  H.  Bryson  be  added  to 
the  Committee  of  Revision. 

5.  That  the  committee  shall  be  at  liberty  to  make,  in  the  book  sub- 
mitted as  part  of  its  report,  such  minor  alterations,  i.  e.,  additions  or 
omissions  of  psalms  and  hymns,  or  changes  of  phraseology,  as  it  may 
see  fit  after  examining  the  minority  report  and  other  papers  referred 
to  it  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  also  the  suggestions  made  to  it  by 
members  of  the  Church. 

6.  That  the  committee,  through  the  Executive  Committee  of  Pubh- 
cation,  be  directed  to  publish,  for  the  use  of  the  churches,  at  the  earliest 


Secs.  594,  595.  |  Ordinances.  359 

possible  day,  the  Book  of  Psalms  and  H^Tnns,  with  the  changes  bow 
ordered  or  permitted. 

P.  38.  The  folTowing  paper,  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  was 
adopted : 

In  order  that  the  Committee  of  Revision  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  and 
Hymns  may  not  feel  themselves  unduly  restricted  by  the  occurrence  of 
the  word  "minor"  in  the  fifth  resolution  adopted  on  this  subject,  there- 
fore, 

Hesolved,  That  if,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  the  materials 
placed  in  their  hands  by  that  resolution  furnish  a  hundred  or  more  ad- 
ditional hymns  suitable  for  the  worship  of  the  sanctuary,  the  prayer- 
meeting,  and  the  family,  the  committee  is  hereby  authorized  to  adopt 
and  incorporate  them,  provided  that  the  whole  number  of  psalms  and 
hymns  be  not  made  greater  than  in  the  jDresent  book. 

The  Executive  Committee  of  Piiblication  reported  (1867,  p.  195)  that  the  Hymn 
Book  thus  prepared  had  come  into  its  hands,  and  that  20,250  copies  had  been 
printed.  — A. 

594.  Mouse's  version  of  the  Psalms. 

1870,  p.  522.  Hesolved,  That  the  Assembly  hereby  instructs  the 
Committee  of  Publication  to  insert  Rouse's  version  of  the  Psalms  with 
the  book  of  praise  now  in  use  in  the  Church,  as  part  of  the  authorized 
psalmody  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  pro- 
vide the  whole  book  thus  constituted,  or  the  sej)arate  jDarts  of  it,  ac- 
cording to  the  demands  of  the  people  or  congregations  respectively. 

This  action  was  taken  in  view  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  in  the 
"matter  of  orf;anic  union  with  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Kentucky,  which  the 
reader  will  iind  in  the  appropriate  section,  and  to  which  he  is  here  referred.— A. 

595.  Hymn  and  Tune  Booh. 

1869,  p.  387.  Hesolved,  That  the  committee  be  dii'ected  to  consider 
the  practicability  and  expediency  of  preparing  and  publishing  a  Book 
of  Tvmes  adapted  to  the  use  of  our  Church,  and  report  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

1870,  p.  534.  Hesolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  dii'ected 
to  have  a  Book  of  Tunes  adapted  to  the  w-ants  of  our  churches,  and 
suitable  to  be  used  in  connection  with  our  Psalms  and  Hymns,  pre- 
pared and  published  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient. 

1872,  p.  171.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  exj^ress  its  approbation 
of  the  principles  on  which  the  preparation  of  a  Tune  and  Hymn  Book 
for  churches,  recommended  by  the  two  last  Assemblies,  has  been  con- 
ducted. These,  and  the  labor  on  the  part  of  the  secretary  which  has 
been  bestowed  upon  it,  are  the  best  securities  of  its  receiving  the  ap- 
probation and  meeting  the  wants  of  the  Church  when  it  shall  be  com- 
pleted. The  thanks  of  the  Assembly  are  also  due,  and  are  hereby 
tendered,  to  Charles  C.  Converse,  Esq.,  of  New  York  city,  for  his  vfilu- 
able  labors  as  musical  editor,  bestowed  in  the  preparation  of  both  of  these 
works. 

These  principles  are  found  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  for  that  year. — A. 

1873,  p.  370.  The  executive  committee  reported  that  the  book  had 
been  prepared  according  to  the  views  submitted  to  the  last  Assembly 
and  approved  by  it ;  that  the  work  had  been  stereotyped,  and  that  they 


360  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  V. 

had  proof  sheets  for  the  examination  of  the  Assembly,  and  for  the  sug- 
gestion of  changes.  Thereupon  the  following  recommendation  was 
adopted :  * 

P.  325.  Your  committee  would  express  its  approval  of  the  "  Hymn 
and  Tune  Book  "  prepared  by  the  executive  committee,  and  recommend 
that  they  be  directed  by  this  Assembly  to  issue,  as  early  as  practicable, 
the  said  "  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,"  with  an  "AjDpendix,"  containing  such 
hymns  as,  iu  their  judgment,  may  seem  for  the  general  and  best  in- 
terests of  the  Church. 

1874,  p.  521.  The  Assembly  recommends  the  use  of  the  new  Book 
of  Hymns  and  Tunes  in  all  oiu-  churches  and  families. 

596.  Mobinsons  Hymns  and  Tunes. 

1881,  p.  371.  Overture  from  the  Executive  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, as  to  a  proposition  from  Messrs.  Scribner  &  Co.,  publishers,  in 
New  York,  to  furnish  the  Eev.  Dr.  Charles  S.  Robinson's  collections  of 
Hymns  and  Tunes,  for  use  in  various  seasons  of  worship,  to  take  the 
place  of  om'  own  Hymn  Book.  It  is  recommended  that  the  executive 
committee  be  not  authorized  to  make  the  proposed  contract.    Adopted. 

1882,  p.  550.  A  communication  has  been  received  by  the  executive 
committee  from  the  Century  Company,  proposing  to  place  our  impri- 
matur on  the  Psahns,  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,  with  the  music,  of 
Rev.  C.  S.  Robinson,  and  to  furnish  the  executive  committee  with  these 
books,  and  others  of  the  series,  at  such  prices  as  the  committee  deem 
advantageous.  Your  committee  recommend  that,  as  these  books  are 
being  introduced  into  many  of  our  churches,'thBt  the  executive  com- 
mittee enter  into  this  arrangement,  so  that  those  of  our  people  who 
desire  these  books  may  obtain  them  more  conveniently,  and  that  what- 
ever advantages  may  accrue  from  the  plan  may  accrue  to  the  Church, 
if  they  are  approved  after  the  usual  examination  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee.    Adopted. 

597.  Revision  of  the  Hymn  Book. 

1881,  p.  371.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  ask- 
ing for  a  revision  of  the  j)resent  Hymn  Book.  In  answer  to  this  over- 
iwce,  it  is  recommended  that  the  request  be  granted.     Not  adopted. 

1886,  p.  46.  Overture  from  Western  District,  asking  for  a  revision 
of  the  Hymn  Book.     Not  granted  for  the  following  reasons  : 

1.  The  expense  would  be  considerable. 

2.  We  have  already  a  cheap  selection  of  hymns,  fui'nished  by  our 
Committee  of  Publication,  suited  to  the  general  wants  of  our  Sabbath- 
schools,  prayer-meetings  and  congregations. 

3.  The  Atlanta  Assembly  adopted  and  recommended  to  oui*  chui'ches 
the  Psalms  and  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,  edited  by  Dr.  C.  S.  Robin- 
son, and  pubhshed  by  the  Century  Company,  which  bears  the  imprint 
of  our  committee,  and  which  is  coming  fast  into  use. 


BOOK    VI. 


TOPICS  MORAL  AND  SECULAR. 

598.  Fashionable  (onunements  and  social  recreations. 

1865,  p.  361.  A  paper  from  the  Eev.  Dr.  Eoss,  on  the  subject  of 
fashionable  amusements,  containing  three  inquiries,  with  their  proposed 
answers : 

The  inquiries  were  answered  as  follows,  viz. : 

1.  Whether  every  chiu'ch  session  has  the  right  to  make  it  a  rule  that 
dancing  and  other  amusements  are  disciplinary  ! 

Aiisii-er:  No  church  judicatory  has  a  right  to  make  any  new  rules 
of  church  membership  different  from  those  contained  in  the  constitu- 
tion :  but  it  is  the  imdoubted  right  of  the  session,  and  of  every  other 
judicatory,  to  make  a  deliverance  aflfiiining  its  sense  of  what  is  "  an  of- 
fense,'" in  the  meaning  of  the  Book  of  DiscipHne,  Chap.  I.,  Sec.  III. 

2.  ^Miether  such  rule  commonly  exists  in  Presbyterian  churches  I 
Aitsicer:  Probably  none  of  our  judicatories  are  as  faithful  as  they 

ought  to  be :  but  it  is  believed  that  the  chm'ches  generally  do,  in  some 
form,  discountenance  dancing.  And  the  Presbyterian  Church,  through 
its  supreme  judicatory,  has  repeatedly  bonie  its  testimony  against 
dancing  and  other  worldly  amusements. 

3.  Whether  such  rule  is  expedient,  or  what  should  be  the  mind  of 
the  whole  body,  and  what  its  action  f 

Ansioer :  It  is  the  duty  of  every  judicatory  to  enforce  the  teachings 
of  our  standards  on  this  and  other  fashionable  amusements,  such  as 
theatrical  performances,  card-pla^aug,  etc.  And  while  the  Assembly 
beheves  that  the  "  lascivious  dancings "'  declared  to  be  foi'bidden  in  the 
Seventh  Commandment,  by  the  answer  to  the  139th  question  of  the 
Larger  Catechism,  are  not  those  usuiil  in  our  best  society,  yet  it  is  our 
belief  that  the  tenor  of  the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures,  and  of  our 
standards,  is  in  direct  opposition  to  this  social  usage.  Chx'ist's  king- 
dom is  not  of  this  world,  and  the  apostle  exhorts  Christians  not  to  be 
conformed  to  the  world.  Though  we  do  not  say  that  all  these  worldly 
amusements  are  "in  their  own  nature  sinful,"  it  is  clear  that  they 
"may  tempt"  those  who  engage  in  them,  and  others,  to  sin:  and 
moreover,  the  Scriptures  condemn  them  as  worldliness.  If  the  prac- 
tice of  the  dance  in  mixed  assembhes  be  not  conforming  to  the  world, 
it  is  difficult  to  name  any  offense  against  the  injunction  of  the  apostle. 
Nor  need  the  C'hurch  of  Christ  have  any  hesitancy  in  announcing  its 
position  on  this  subject:  for  the  men  of  the  world,  with  one  consent, 
agree  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  the  nature  of  the  Christian  profession 
for  members  of  the  Church  to  engage  in  the  dance. 

In  this  connection,  the  Assembly  would  take  occasion  to  exhort  our 
Christian  jieople  t<j  avoid  the  excesses  into  which  they  are  in  danger 
of  being  drawn  by  the  demands  of  fashion.  The  Scriptm'es  forbid 
"reveUings  '  and  all  intemperate  self-indulgence,  with  which  teachings 


362  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  VI. 

the  prevalent  custom  of  protracting  social  assemblies,  with  or  without 
music  and  dancing,  to  the  hom-s  of  the  morning,  but  especially  when 
accompanied  ■\\dth  drinking  and  card- playing,  is  manifestly  inconsistent. 
Moreover,  the  Assembly,  observing  that  parties  of  pleasure  are  usually 
composed  almost  exclusively  of  unmarried  young  people,  would  give  it 
as  its  earnest  advice,  that  the  best  form  of  social  reunion  be  made  to 
pai'take  as  much  as  possible  of  the  style  and  tone  of  the  family  circle, 
in  which  youthful  enjoyment  is  tempered  by  the  presence  of  the  older 
and  married  members. 

The  Assembly  expresses  itself  with  the  more  earnestness  on  this 
whole  subject,  because  of  the  disposition  which  is  observed  in  all  parts 
of  our  borders  to  run  into  the  inordinate  indulgence  of  worldliness  at 
this  time,  in  forgetf ulness  of  the  mighty  chastenings  of  God  which  are 
even  yet  upon  us,  and  because  we  see  members  of  our  churches  and 
our  beloved  baptized  youth,  in  forgetfulness  of  the  covenant  of  God 
which  is  upon  them,  carried  away  with  the  world's  delusions,  to  the 
subversion  of  the  divine  influences  of  the  sanctuary,  and  to  the  neglect 
of  the  interests  of  their  souls.  Wherefore  the  Assembly  would  urge 
our  people  to  take  the  word  of  exhortation,  to  abstain  from  all  forms 
of  evil,  and  to  study  and  pursue  that  sobriety  which  becometh  the  gos- 
pel, so  that  the  Chiu-ch  of  Christ  shall  indeed  be  "  a  peculiar  people." 
And  we  hereby  exhort  our  ministers  and  church  sessions  to  a  discharge 
of  their  duties.  Let  them  proceed,  by  affectionate  and  faithful  instruc- 
tion from  the  pulpit,  as  well  as  in  private,  by  admonition,  and  by  such 
other  measures  as  Christian  prudence  may  dictate ;  but  when  all  other 
means  fail,  then  let  them  proceed  to  such  methods  of  disciphne  as 
shall  separate  from  the  Church  those  who  love  the  world,  and  practice 
conformity  thereto,  rather  than  to  the  law  of  Christ. 

599.  Discipline  to  be  enforced  against  certain  offenses. 

1869,  p.  390.  Overture  from  the  Eev.  Dr.  Dabney,  that  the  Assem- 
bly would  direct  all  its  moral  and  spiritual  powers,  by  such  measures 
as  shall  seem  to  it  best  to  this  end,  effectually  causing  all  chiu'ch  ses- 
sions and  Presbyteries  to  enforce  the  discipline  provided  in  our  consti- 
tution against  offenses,  and  especially  against  conformity  to  dissipated 
and  lascivious  amusements  of  the  world,  intemperance,  and  relaxed  ex- 
pedients for  evading  pecuniary  obligations  now  permitted  by  the  legis- 
lation of  the  country. 

Ansvjer :  The  Assembly  would  earnestly  and  solemnly  enjoin  upon 
all  the  sessions  and  Presbyteries  vmder  its  care  the  absolute  necessity 
of  enforcing  "  the  discipline  provided  in  our  constitution  against  of- 
fenses," imder  the  word  offenses  including  attendance  by  our  mem- 
bers upon  theatrical  exhibitions  and  performances,  and  promiscuous 
dancings;  against  intemperance,  and  against  availing  themselves  of 
the  "  expedients  for  evading  pecuniary  obligations  now  permitted  by 
the  legislation  of  the  country,"  in  such  a  manner  as  cannot  be  justified 
by  a  conscience  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  and  the  W(^rd  of  God,  and 
as  must  dishonor  the  cause  of  Jesus  Christ. 

GOO.    ('ar<  I -playing,  dancing,  and  dancing-schools. 

1877,  p.  411.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  asking  the 
Assembly  to  interpret  the  law  of  the  Church  concerning  worldly  amuse- 


Sec.  601.]  Topics  Moral  and  8ecul.\e.  363 

merits,  as  set  forth  in  the  deliverances  of  the  Assembhes  of  1865  and 
1869,  in  the  following  particulars : 

I.  Does  the  law  forbid  card- playing  for  jDurposes  of  amusement,  or 
for  piu-poses  of  gambling  merely  '. 

II.  Does  it  forbid  dancing,  or  only  promiscuous  dancing  ? 

III.  If  the  latter  only,  to  what  accident  of  the  dance  does  the  word 
"promiscuous"  refer?  Does  the  law  forbid  roimd  dances  merely  as 
distinguished  from  the  square  ?  or  dancing  at  a  public  ball  as  distin- 
guished from  dancing  in  a  private  house  ?  or  the  mingling  of  males  and 
females  in  this  amusement  for  the  reason,  among  others,  that  in  such 
cases  the  dance  has  a  tendency  to  influence  the  licentious  passions  ? 

Ansver:  1st,  The  Assembly  has  uniformly  discouraged  and  con- 
demned the  modern  dance  in  all  its  forms,  as  tending  to  evil,  whether 
practiced  in  public  balls  or  in  private  j^arlors. 

2d,  Some  forms  of  this  amxisement  are  more  mischievous  than  others ; 
the  I'ound  dance  than  the  square,  the  public  ball  than  the  private  par- 
lor; but  aD  are  evil,  and  should  be  discoimtenanced. 

3d,  The  extent  of  the  mischief-  done  depends  largely  upon  circum- 
stances. The  church  session  is  therefore  the  only  court  competent  to 
judge  what  remedy  to  apply ;  but  the  Assembly  being  persuaded  that, 
in  most  cases,  it  is  the  result  of  thoughtlessness  or  ignorance,  recom- 
mends great  patience  in  dealing  with  those  who  offend  in  this  way. 

4th,  The  following  was  added  by  the  Assembly  as  an  amendment : 
And  we  further  affectionately  urge  all  our  Christian  parents  not  to 
send  their  children  to  dancing  schools,  where  they  acquire  a  fondness 
and  an  aptitude  for  this  dangerous  amusement. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Montgomery,  of  Savannah  Presbytery,  placed  on  record 
his  protest  against  the  above  action.  This  is  found  on  page  429  of  the 
Minutes. 

601.  Tn  ichat  sensfi  the  Assembly's  deliverances  on  tnorldhj  wnusements 
are  to  be  anderstood. 

1879,  p.  23.  The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  asks  the  Assembly  for  defi- 
nite instructions,  among  other  things,  upon  the  following  points  : 

1.  Are  the  deliverances  of  1865,  1869,  and  1877,  on  the  subject  of 
worldly  amusements,  to  be  accepted  and  enforced  as  law  by  judicial 
l^rocess  ? 

2.  Are  all  offenses  named  in  them  to  be  so  dealt  with,  or  are  excep- 
tions to  be  made  ? 

In  answer,  the  following  was  adopted : 

F'lrst,  This  Assembly  would  answer  the  tirst  cjuestion  in  the  negative, 
upon  the  foUoAving  grounds  : 

1.  That  these  deliverances  do  not  require  judicial  prosecution  ex- 
pressly, and  could  not  re(|uire  it  without  vit)lating  the  spii'it  of  our 
law. 

2.  That  none  of  these  deliverances  were  made  by  the  Assembly  in  a 
strictly  judicial  capacity,  but  were  all  deliverances  in  thesi,  and  there- 
fore can  be  considered  as  only  didactic,  advisory,  and  monitoiy. 

3.  That  this  Assembly  has  no  power  to  issue  orders  to  institute  pro- 
cess, except  according  to  the  provisions  of  Bt)ok  of  Discipline,  Chap. 
VII.,  in  the  old,  and  Chap.  XIII. ,  Sec.  I.,  in  the  revised  book;  and  all 
these  provisions  imply  that  the  court  oi  remote  jurisdiction  is  dealing 
with  a  pai'ticulai"  court  of  original  jurisdiction,  and  not  with  such  courts 


364  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General,  Assembly.        [Book  VI. 

in  general.  The  injunctions,  thei'efore,  upon  the  sessions  to  exercise 
discipKne  in  the  matter  of  worldly  amusements  are  to  be  understood 
only  as  utterances  of  the  solemn  testimony  of  these  Assemblies  against 
a  great  and  growing  evil  in  the  Chvu'ch.  The  power  to  utter  such  a 
testimony  will  not  be  disputed,  since  it  is  so  expressly  given  to  the 
Assemblies  in  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XII.,  Sec.  V.,  of  the 
old,  and  in  the  re\dsed  Book  of  Church  Order,  Form  of  Government, 
Chap,  v..  Sec.  VI.,  Art.  VI. ;  and  this  testimony  this  Assembly  does 
hereby  most  solemnly  and  affectionately  reiterate. 

In  thus  defining  the  meaning  and  intent  of  the  action  of  former  As- 
semblies, this  General  Assembty  does  not  mean,  in  the  shghtest  de- 
gree, to  interfere  with  the  power  of  discipline,  in  any  of  its  forms,  which 
is  given  to  the  courts  below  by  the  constitution  of  the  Church ;  or  to 
intimate  that  discipline  in  its  sternest  form  may  not  be  necessary',  in 
some  cases,  in  order  to  arrest  the  evils  in  question.  The  occasion,  the 
mode,  the  degree,  and  the  kind  of  discipline,  must  be  left  to  the  courts 
of  original  jurisdiction,  under  the  checks  and  restraints  of  the  consti- 
tution. All  that  is  designed  is  to  deny  the  power  of  the  Assembly  to 
make  law  for  the  Church  in  the  matter  of  "offenses,"  or  to  give  to  its 
deliverances  in  thesi  the  force  of  judicial  decisions. 

Second,  The  second  question,  which  is,  "Are  all  the  offenses  named 
in  the  deliverances  of  1865,  1869,  and  1877,  to  be  dealt  with  in  the  way 
of  judicial  process,  or  are  exceptions  to  be  made?"  needs  no  answer  after 
what  has  been  said  in  answer  to  the  first. 

602.  Decline.^  to  make  a  further  deliverance  on  the  subject  of  dancing. 

1880,  p.  193.  From  the  Presbytery  of  Athens,  asking  the  Assembly 
to  make  a  more  full  and  explicit  deliverance  on  the  subject  of  dancing 
and  worldly  amvisements. 

This  Assembly  declines  attempting  any  such  dehverance — 

1st,  Because  the  deliverances  of  former  Assemblies  on  this  subject 

are  as  fioll  and  specific  as  the  nature  of  the  case  allows. 

2nd,  Because  the  evils  referred  to  are  to  be  met,  not  by  resort  to 

dehverances  of  the  Assembly,  but  rather  by  care  on  the  part  of  the 

coiu't  of  original  jurisdiction. 

603.  Former  deliverances  have  not  been  revoked. 

1881,  p.  358.  From  Montgomery  Presbytery,  inquiring  whether  the 
dehverance  of  the  Assembly  of  1877,  on  dancing,  has  been  affected  by 
the  action  of  the  Assembhes  of  1879-'80,  and  requesting  that  said  de- 
hverance be  reaffirmed. 

A7isioer :  The  dehverance  of  1877  has  not  been  revoked  by  any  sub- 
sequent action  of  the  Assembly. 

604.  Slaver t/. 
1865,  p.  384.  Extract  from  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  churches : 
"The  extraordinary  circumstances  in  which,  by  recent  events,  this 
people  are  now  placed,  and  our  relations  to  them,  is  a  subject  too  im- 
mense to  be  passed  over  in  silence.  The  former  relation  between  om* 
citizens  and  most  of  this  population  was  that  of  master  and  servant. 
The  address  of  oiir  (General  Assembly,  before  referred  to,  contains  the 
only  fiill,  imambiguous  and  deliberate,  and  authoritative  exposition  of 
our  views  in  regard  to  this  matter.     AVe  here  I'e-affirm  its  whole  doc- 


Secs.  605,  606  ]  Topics  Moral  and  Secular.  365 

trine  to  be  that  of  Scripture  and  reason.  It  is  the  old  doctrine  of  the 
Church,  and  the  only  one  which  keeps  its  foundations  secure." 

(Here  follows  an  extract  from  the  Address  to  all  the  Churches 
throughout  the  Earth:) 

"This  relation  is  now  overthrown,  suddenly  and  violently;  whether 
justly  or  unjustly,  in  wrath  or  in  mercy,  for  weal  or  for  woe,  let  history 
and  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  decide.  But  there  are  two  considera- 
tions of  vital  interest  which  still  remain. 

"One  is,  that  whUe  the  existence  of  slavery  may,  in  its  civil  aspects, 
be  regarded  as  a  settled  question,  an  issue  now  gone,  yet  the  lawful- 
ness of  the  relation  as  a  question  of  social  morality,  and  of  scriptural 
truth,  has  lost  nothing  of  its  importance.  When  we  solemnly  declare 
to  you,  brethren,  that  the  dogma  which  asserts  the  inherent  sinfulness 
of  this  relation  is  uuscriptural  and  fanatical :  that  it  is  condemned  not 
only  by  the  Word  of  God,  but  by  the  voice  of  the  Church  in  all  ages ; 
that  it  is  one  of  the  most  pernicious  heresies  of  modem  times ;  that  its 
countenance  by  any  church  is  a  just  cause  of  separation  from  it  (1  Tim. 
vi.  1-5),  we  have  surely  said  enmigh  to  warn  you  away  from  this  insidi- 
ous error,  as  from  a  fatal  shore. 

"  Whatever,  therefore,  we  may  have  to  lament  before  God,  either  for 
neglect  of  duty  or  for  actual  wrong  towards  our  servants  while  the  re- 
lation lasted,  we  are  not  called,  now  that  it  has  been  abolished,  to  bow 
the  head  in  humihation  before  men,  or  admit  that  the  memory  of  many 
of  oui"  dear  kindi'ed  is  to  be  covered  with  shame  because,  hke  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  they  had  bond-servants  born  in  their  house,  or  bought 
with  their  money,  and  who  now,  redeemed  by  the  same  precious  blood, 
sit  down  together  in  the  kingdom  of  God." 

See  also  several  sections  in  Book  VII.  of  this  Digest. 

605.   Committee  of  inquiry  as  to  intemperance. 

1883,  p.  32.  Whereas  among  the  sins  of  the  age  intemperance  is 
prominent,  as  leading  to  idleness,  poverty,  crime,  and  misery :  and 
whereas  drunkenness  is  greatly  obstructing  the  progress  of  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  on  the  authority  of  the  Bible,  no  drunkard 
can  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  to  report  to  the 
next  General  Assembly  what  steps,  if  any,  can  be  taken  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbj-terian  Chiu'ch  in  the  United  States  to  avert  the 
progress  of  this  great  evil,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  remove  this  barrier 
to  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  over  the  earth. 

The  following  constituted  the  et)mmittee :  Hon.  J.  W.  C.  Watson, 
Jas.  M.  Whai'ey,  J.  P.  Fitzgerald,  Jerry  Witherspoon,  and  J.  T.  Car- 
thel.     (P.  15.)     They  never  made  a  report. 

606.   Suppressing  the  liquor  tra^ffie. 

1886,  p.  60.  In  response  to  a  communication  from  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  through  Mrs.  W.  C.  Sibley,  vice-presi- 
dent, of  Augusta,  Ga.,  on  the  subject  of  the  present  attitude  of  the 
temperance  movement,  the  following  was  adopted : 

As  the  traffic  in  and  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage  are  the 
prolific  causes  of  so  much  crime,  poverty  and  sulieiing  in  our  land, 
and  as  it  costs  the  people  so  much  money  in  criminal  prosecutions  and 
the  support  of  the  victims  of  drink,  and  as  it  is  one  of  the  greatest  ene- 


366  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  VI. 

mies  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  destroying  the  sanctity  of  the  Chi'istian 
Sabbath  in  its  right  observance  wherever  its  bhghting  influence  is  felt, 
and  as  we  are  warned  against  its  effects  in  1  Cor.  \i.  10  ;  therefore,  in 
view  of  these  terrible  effects,  this  General  Assembly  bears  its  testimony 
against  this  evil,  and  recommends  to  all  our  people  the  use  of  all  legiti- 
mate means  for  its  banishment  from  the  land. 

607.  Metailing  ardtnt  s])irits. 

1878,  p.  635.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  asking 
the  Assembly  "  to  make  a  deliverance  with  reference  to  the  duties  of 
sessions  in  regard  to  members  of  the  Church  under  their  care  engaged 
in  the  retail  of  ardent  spii'its." 

The  Assembly  replied  by  referring  to  the  action  of  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1842,  viz. : 

"  Resolved.  That  the  records  (of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg)  be  ap- 
proved, except  so  far  as  they  seem  to  establish  a  general  rule  in  regard 
to  the  use  and  sale  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage,  which  use  and  sale 
are  generally  to  be  decidedly  disapproved,  but  each  case  must  be  de- 
cided in  view  of  all  the  attendant  circumstances  that  go  to  modify  and 
give  character  to  the  same." 

608.  Gambling. 

1862,  p.  38.  Extract  from  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  young  men  of  our 
congregations  in  the  army :  Another  vice,  which  has  heretofore  been 
confined  in  our  country  to  the  saloons  of  dissipation,  we  are  sad  to  be- 
lieve, has  become  very  common  among  the  j^oung  men  of  the  army. 
We  refer  to  gauihling.  Besides  the  moral  turpitude  and  sin  of  gam- 
bling, the  taking  from  your  fellows  that  which  is  theirs  without  a  just 
retiu-n,  this  vice  creates  a  morbid  thirst  after  speedy  gains  and  a  spirit 
of  reckless  extravagance,  which  usually  go  together,  injuring  the  moral 
character,  rendering  a  man  reckless,  dissatisfied,  and  unhappy,  and 
generally  ends  in  his  temporal  ruin.  A  practice  which  produces  such 
results  is  necessarily  evil.  "  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them,"  is  the 
Saviour's  rule ;  and  here  is  a  tree  whose  fruit  is  bitter. 

609.  Profanity. 

1862,  p.  36.  Extract  from  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  young  men  of  our 
congregations  in  the  army :  The  awful  and  prevailing  sin  of  our  people 
is  profanity.  The  name  of  God  is  taken  in  vain  in  the  wicked  curse 
and  the  lewd  joke  ;  yea,  fearful  as  the  statement  is,  our  own  ears  bear 
testimony  to  the  fact  that  the  Great  Name  of  the  majestic  Jehovah  has 
become  a  by-word,  a  jest  and  a  mockery  by  the  dissolute  and  profane 
on  our  public  thorotighfares.  This  is  our  crying  national  sin,  which, 
with  many  others,  has  brought  down  on  our  land  the  wrath  of  t)ftended 
heaven.  This  international  strife,  and  all  the  dreadful  havoc  which 
this  war  is  making,  are  doubtless  sent  on  us  as  judgments  from  God 
on  account  of  our  sins.  How  can  we  expect  the  blessing  of  God  if  we 
thus  dishonor  him,  treat  his  name  with  irreverence,  and  speak  of  his 
authority  and  judgments  with  levity  and  derision  ? 

610.  Evolution. 

1886,  p.  8.  Whereas  it  is  known,  through  the  published  proceedings 
of  the  Presbyteries,  that  several  overtures  wiU  be  presented  to  this 


Sec.  610.  ]  Topics  Moral  and  Secular.  367 

General  Assembl}'^,  asking  for  a  deliverance  on  the  subject  of  the  gen- 
etic evolution  of  man,  therefore, 

Hesolved,  That  a  sj)ecial  committee  be  ajDpointed  by  the  moderator 
at  the  same  tune  the  regular  standing  committee  are,  to  whom  all  these 
overtures  shall  be  referred,  with  instructions  to  report  at  as  early  a 
day  as  practicable. 

P.  10.  The  moderator  announced  the  following  as  such  committee : 
G.  D.  Armstrong,  D.  D.,  Wm.  Flinn,  D.  D.,  W.  F.  Junkin,  D.  D.,  V. 
H.  Henderson,  T.  E.  Smith,  R.  B.  Fulton,  K.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D.,  L.  C. 
Vass,  D.  N.  Kennedy,  A.  N.  HoUitield,  D.  D.,  G.  B.  Strickler,  D.  D., 
F.  L.  Ferguson,  M.  Van  Lear,  D.  D. 

P.  18.  The  order  of  the  day,  the  consideration  of  papers  fi'om  the 
special  Committee  on  Evolution,  was  taken  up,  the  majority  report  of 
the  committee  being  as  follows : 

To  the  several  overtures  on  the  subject  of  the  evolution  of  man  sent 
up  by  the  Presbyteries,  the  General  Assembly  retm-ns  answer  as  fol- 
lows, viz. : 

The  Church  remains  at  this  time  sincerely  convinced  that  the  Scrip- 
tvu'es,  as  truly  and  authoritatively  expounded  in  our  "  Confession  of 
Faith  "  and  "  Catechisms,"  teach — 

That  Adam  and  Eve  were  created,  body  and  soul,  by  immediate  acts 
of  Almighty  power,  thereby  preserving  a  perfect  race  unity. 

That  Adam's  body  was  direct^  fashioned  by  Almight}^  God,  without 
any  natui'al  animal  parentage  of  any  kind,  out  of  matter  previously 
created  from  nothing. 

And  that  any  doctrine  at  variance  therewith  is  a  dangerous  error, 
inasmuch  as,  in  the  methods  of  interpreting  Scripture,  it  must  demand, 
and  in  the  consequences  which  by  fair  impUcation  it  will  involve,  it  v^iU 
lead  to  the  denial  of  doctrines  fundamental  to  the  faith. 

Geo.  D.  Akmstrong,  Chairman,         A.  N.  Hollifield, 
Wm.  F.  Junkin,  M.  Van  Lear, 

R.  K.  Smoot,  R.  B.  Fulton, 

G.  B.  Strickler,  D.  N.  Kennedy. 

L.  C.  Vass, 

Rev.  T.  E.  Smith,  for  himself  and  AVm.  Flinn,  D.  D.,  members  of 
that  committee,  presented  a  minority  rejiort,  which  is  as  follows : 

We,  the  undersigned  members  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Evolu- 
tion, recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  decline  to  make  a  deliver- 
ance on  the  subject :  1.  Because  the  answer  which  is  invoked  by  those 
overtui'es,  if  given,  would  violate  our  constitution  {vide  Confession  of 
Faith,  Chap.  XXXI.,  Art.  TV.).  2.  Because  the  Word  of  God,  as  in- 
terpreted by  oiu-  standards,  gives  the  faith  of  the  Church.  3.  Because 
before  one  of  our  lower  courts  a  concrete  case  is  pending,  involving  the 
matter  of  these  overtures. 

Also,  the  following  paper  was  presented  by  another  member  of  the 
committee : 

The  undersigned  member  of  your  Committee  on  Overtures  on  Evolu- 
tion would  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  special  committee  to  di'aft 
a  pastoral  letter  to  the  churches  and  Presbyteries  of  the  Assembly,  em- 
bodying the  foUowiug  points: 

1.  A  recognition  of  the  alarm  and  imeasiness  pervading  the  Church 
on  account  of  the  evolution  discussion,  tuid  that  this  alarm  and  uneasi- 
ness are  not  unfounded. 


368  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  VI. 

2.  A  reiteration  of  our  loyalty  to  the  syrabols  as  the  correct  interpre- 
tation of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  determination  to  defend  them  against 
any  interpretation  which  would  mar  their  historic  sense,  or  contradict 
any  traditional  doctrine  of  our  faith. 

3.  The  original  appUcation  of  the  law  contained  therein  belongs  to 
the  Presbyteries,  and  the  Assembly  considers  them  competent  for  their 
function :  neither  wovild  it  v;surp  or  forestall  this  function,  nor  hamper 
them  in  its  performance,  by  granting  any  in  thesi  dehverance  which 
could  be  construed  into  an  anticipatoiy  exposition  of  the  law,  but  could 
not  be  of  binding  force. 

4.  The  Assembly  assures  its  Presbyteries  that  the  highest  covirt  of 
the  Chm-ch  will  be  ready  at  the  proper  time  to  uphold  and  endorse  any 
judicial  action  of  the  Presbyteries  founded  on  the  constitutional  law  of 
the  Church.  Francis  L.  Ferguson. 

P.  26.  The  motion  to  adopt  the  report  of  the  minority  of  the  special 
Committee  on  Evolution  was  lost. 

Thereupon  it  was  moved  that  the  report  of  said  committee  be  adopted, 
the  ayes  and  noes  were  ordered,  and  each  commissioner  was  allowed  to 
explain  his  vote.  The  report  was  adopted  by  the  follovping  vote :  Ayes 
137;  nays,  13;  non  liquet,  1. 

1887,  p.  233.  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  reported  on  an 
overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina.  S.  L.  Morris  and  J. 
W.  Green,  members  of  the  committee,  offered  the  follovdng  minority 
report  as  a  substitute  for  the  committee's  report : 

Respecting  the  question  of  South  Carolina  Presbytery,  touching  the 
mode  of  creation  as  defined  by  the  last  Assembly,  we  recommend  that 
this  Assembly  answer :  That  the  Scriptures  clearly  reveal  that  in  the 
highest  sense  God  is  Creator  of  aU  things,  and  consequently  of  Adam's 
body  and  soul ;  and  both  the  Scriptures  and  our  Confession  of  Faith 
teach  that  his  body  was  formed  of  the  dust  of  the  ground,  whether 
mediately  or  immediately ;  but  "  the  inscrutable  mode  "  God  hath  not 
revealed,  and  this  Assembly  holds  that  it  is  not  given  to  the  Church  to 
pronounce  definitely  as  to  the  mode  by  which,  and  the  time  in  which, 
the  Creator  chose  to  work. 

This  substitute  was  indefinitely  postponed,  and  the  report  of  the 
committee  was  adopted,  which  was  as  follows : 

This  Assembly  decUnes  to  formulate  any  detailed  explanation  of  the 
acts  of  the  last  Assembly,  as  any  new  statement,  however  expressed, 
could  only  be  regarded  as  a  new  deliverance  on  the  same  subject, 
which  this  Assembly  does  not  feel  called  upon  to  make. 


BOOK    VI  I. 

RELATIONS  OF  THE  CHURCH  WITH  OTHER  BODIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

NON-SECULAR   CHARACTEE  OF  THE   CHURCH. 
RELATIONS   WITH   THE   STATE. 

611.  Address  to  all  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth. 

1861,  p.  7.     On  motion  of  Dr.  ThomweU,  the  Assembly — 

Hesolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  rul- 
ing elder  fi'om  each  of  the  Sj-nods  belonging  to  this  Assembly,  be  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  an  Address  to  all  the  Chiu'ches  of  Jesus  Christ 
throughout  the  Earth,  setting  forth  the  causes  of  our  separation  from 
the  churches  in  the  United  States,  our  attitude  in  relation.to  slavei-y, 
and  a  general  vicAv  of  the  pohcy  which,  as  a  Church,  we  proj)ose  to 
pursue. 

P.  9.  The  moderator  announced  the  following  committee  on  the  Ad- 
dress to  the  Churches:  James  H.  Thornwell,  D.  D.,  Theodorick  Pryor, 
D.  D.,  F.  K.  Nash,  R.  Mclnnis,  C  C.  Jones,  D.  D.,  R.  B.  White,  D.^D., 
W.  D.  Moore,  J.  H.  Gillespie,  J.  I.  Boozer,  R.  W.  BaUey,  D.  D.,  J.  D. 
Armstrong,  C.  Philhps,  Joseph  A.  Brooks,  W.  P.  Finley,  Samuel 
McCorkle,  W.  P.  Webb,  Wm.  L.  Black,  T.  L.  Dimlap  and  E.  W. 
Wright. 

P.  19.  W.  P.  Webb  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Address  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  through- 
out the  World,  reported  and  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thornwell,  chaii'man 
of  the  special  committee  aj^pointed  for  that  purpose,  be  received,  and 
is  hereby  adopted,  by  tliis  Assembly. 

Hesolved,  That  three  thousand  copies  of  this  address  be  printed, 
imder  the  direction  of  the  stated  clerk,  for  the  use  of  the  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  the  original  addi-ess  be  tiled  in  the  archives  of  the 
Assembly,  and  that  a  paper  be  attached  thereto,  to  be  signed  by  the 
moderator  and  members  of  this  Assembly. 

P.  24.  On  motion  of  Judge  Shepherd,  the  Assembly  directed  that 
the  affixing  of  their  signatures  on  the  part  of  the  members  to  the  "  Ad- 
dress to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughoiit  the  Eai'th,"  should 
take  place  in  connecticm  with  the  regular  calling  of  the  roll  to-morrow 
morning.     This  was  done. 

P.  51.     The  following  is  the  address : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch  in  the  Confed- 
erate States  of  America,  to  all  the  churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout 
the  earth,  greeting :  Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiphed  upon  you ! 

24 


370  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General,  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren  : 

It  is  probably  known  to  you  that  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  in  the 
Confederate  States,  which  were  formerly  in  connection  with  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chvirch  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  have  renounced  the  jurisdiction  of  that  bod«',  and  dissolved 
the  ties  which  bound  them  ecclesiastically  with  then-  brethren  of  the 
North.  This  act  of  separation  left  them  without  any  formal  imion 
among  themselves.  But  as  they  were  one  in  faith  and  order,  and  stUl 
adhered  to  their  old  standards,  measures  were  promptly  adopted  for 
giving  expression  to  their  imity,  by  the  organization  of  a  supreme 
court,  upon  the  model  of  the  one  whose  authority  they  had  just  re- 
hnquished.  Commissioners,  duly  appointed,  from  all  the  Presbyteries 
of  these  Confederate  States,  met  accordingly,  in  the  city  of  Augusta, 
on  the  fourth  day  of  December,  in  the  3'ear  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  sixty-one,  and  then  and  there  proceeded  to  consti- 
tute the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confed- 
erate States  of  America.  The  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States,  that  is  to  say,  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith,  the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms,  the  Form  of  Government, 
the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  the  Directory  of  Worship,  were  unani- 
mously and  solemnly  declared  to  be  the  constitution  of  the  Church  in 
the  Confederate  States,  with  no  other  change  than  the  substitution  of 
Confederate  for  United  wherever  the  country  is  mentioned  in  the 
standards.  The  Church,  therefore,  in  these  seceded  States,  presents 
now  the  spectacle  of  a  separate  and  independent  and  complete  organi- 
zation, under  the  style  and  title  of  the  Presbj'teriau  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States  of  America.  In  thus  taking  its  place  among  sister 
churches  of  this  and  other  countries,  it  seems  proper  that  it  should  set 
forth  the  causes  ,which  have  impelled  it  to  separate  from  the  Church  of 
the  North,  and  to  indicate  a  general  view  of  the  course  which  it  feels 
it  incumbent  upon  it  to  pursue  in  the  new  circumstances  in  which  it  is 
placed. 

W^e  should  be  sorry  to  be  regarded  by  our  brethren  in  any  part  of 
the  world  as  guilty  of  schism.  We  are  not  conscious  of  any  purpose 
to  rend  the  body  of  Christ.  On  the  contrary,  our  aim  has  been  to 
promote  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace.  If  we  know  oui* 
own  hearts,  and  can  form  any  just  estimate  of  the  motives  which  have 
governed  us,  we  have  been  prompted  by  a  sincere  desire  to  promote 
the  glory  of  God,  and  the  efficiency,  energ}^,  harmony  and  zeal  of  his 
visible  kingdom  in  the  earth.  We  have  separated  from  our  brethren 
of  the  North  as  Abraham  separated  from  Lot,  because  we  are  per- 
suaded that  the  interests  of  true  religion  will  be  more  effectually  sub- 
sei"ved  by  two  independent  churches,  under  the  circumstances  in  which 
the  two  countries  are  placed,  than  by  one  united  body : 

1.  In  the  first  place,  the  course  of  the  last  Assembly,  at  Philadel- 
phia, conclusively  shows  that,  if  we  should  remain  together,  the  politi- 
cal questions  which  divide  us  as  citizens  will  be  obtruded  on  our 
church  courts,  and  discussed  by  Christian  ministers  and  elders  with 
all  the  acrimon}',  bitterness  and  rancor  with  which  such  questions  are 
usually  discussed  by  men  of  the  world.  Our  Assembly  would  present 
a  mournful  spectacle  of  strife  and  debate.  Commissioners  from  the 
Noi-thern  would  meet  with  commissioners  from  the  Southern  Confed- 
eracy, to  wrangle  over  the  questions  which  have  split  them  into  two 


Sec.  611.]       Kelations  of  the  Chuech  with  Other  Bodies.  371 

confederacies,  and  involved  them  in  furious  and  bloody  war.  They 
would  denounce  each  other,  on  the  one  hand,  as  tyrants  and  oppressors, 
and  on  the  other,  as  traitors  and  rebels.  The  Spirit  of  God  would 
take  his  departm-e  from  these  scenes  of  confusion,  and  leave  the  Church 
lifeless  and  powerless,  an  easy  prey  to  the  sectional  divisions  and  angry 
passions  of  its  members.  Two  nations,  under  any  circumstances  ex- 
cept those  of  perfect  homogeueousness,  cannot  be  united  in  one  Church 
without  the  rigid  exclusion  of  all  civil  and  secular  questions  from  its 
halls.  Where  the  countries  differ  in  their  customs  and  institutions, 
and  view  each  other  with  an  eye  of  jealousy  and  rivalry,  if  national 
feelings  are  permitted  to  enter  the  cihurch  courts,  there  must  be  an 
end  of  harmony  and  peace.  The  prejudices  of  the  man  and  the  citizen 
will  prove  stronger  than  the  charity  of  the  Christian.  When  they  have 
allowed  themselves  to  denounce  each  other  for  their  national  peculiari- 
ties, it  win  be  hard  to  join  in  cordial  fellowship  as  members  of  the  same 
spiritual  family.  Much  more  must  this  be  the  case  where  the  nations 
ai'e  not  simply  rivals,  but  enemies — when  they  hate  each  other  with  a 
cruel  hatred,  when  the}'  are  engaged  in  a  ferocious  and  bloody  war, 
and  when  the  worst  passions  of  hviman  nature  are  stirred  to  theii'  very 
depths.  An  Assembly  composed  of  representatives  from  two  such 
countries  could  have  no  secuiity  for  peace,  except  in  a  steady,  imcom- 
promising  adherence  to  the  scriptural  principle,  that  it  would  know  no 
man  after  after  the  flesh :  that  it  would  abohsh  the  distinctions  of  Bar- 
barian, Scythian,  bond  and  free,  and  recognize  nothing  but  the  new 
creature  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  moment  it  permits  itself  to  know  the 
Confederate  or  the  United  States,  the  moment  its  members '  meet  as 
citizens  of  these  countries,  our  pohtical  differences  will  be  transferred 
to  the  house  of  God,  and  the  passions  of  the  forum  will  expel  the  spirit 
of  holy  love  and  of  Christian  communion. 

We  cannot  condemn  a  man  in  one  breath  as  unfaithful  to  the  most 
solemn  earthh'  interests — his  country'  and  his  race — and  commend  him 
in  the  next  as  a  loyal  and  faithful  servant  of  liis  God.  If  we  distrust 
his  patriotism,  our  confidence  is  apt  to  be  very  measm-ed  in  his  piety. 
The  old  adage  will  hold  here  as  in  other  things,  falsus  in  uno,  falsus 
in  ornni.bi(s. 

The  only  conceivable  condition,  therefore,  upon  which  the  Church  of 
the  North  and  the  South  could  remain  together  as  one  body,  with  any 
prosj^ect  of  success,  is  the  ^'ig•orous  exclusion  of  the  questions  and 
passions  of  the  forum  from  its  halls  of  debate.  This  is  what  always 
ought  to  be  done.  The  provinces  of  church  and  state  are  pei-fectly 
distinct,  and  the  one  has  no  right  to  usurp  the  jurisdiction  of  the  other. 
The  state  is  a  natural  institute,  founded  in  the  constitution  of  man  as 
moral  and  social,  and  designed  to  reahze  the  idea  of  justice.  It  is  the 
society  of  rights.  The  Church  is  a  supernatural  institute,  founded  in  the 
facts  of  redemption,  and  is  designed  to  reahze  the  idea  of  grace.  It  is 
the  sijciety  of  the  redeemed.  The  state  aims  at  social  order,  the  Church 
at  spiritual  hohness.  The  state  looks  to  the  visible  and  outward;  the 
Church  is  concerned  for  the  invisible  and  inward.  The  badge  of  the 
states  authority  is  the  sword,  by  which  it  becomes  a  terror  to  evil 
doers,  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well;  the  badge  of  the  Church's 
authority  is  the  keys,  by  which  it  opens  and  shuts  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  according  as  men  are  believing  or  impenitent.  The  power  of 
the  Chvu'ch  is  exclusively  spii'itual;  that  of  the  state  includes  the  exer- 


372  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

cise  of  force.  The  constitutiou  of  the  Chiu'ch  is  a  diviue  revelation : 
the  constitution  of  the  state  must  be  determined  by  human  reason  and 
the  coiu'se  of  providential  events.  The  Church  has  no  right  to  con- 
struct or  modif}^  a  government  for  the  stat?,  and  the  state  has  no  right 
to  frame  a  creed  or  polity  for  the  Chm'ch.  They  are  as  planets  mov- 
ing in  different  orbits,  and  unless  each  is  confined  to  its  own  track,  the 
consequences  may  be  as  disastrous  in  the  moral  world  as  the  collision 
of  different  spheres  in  the  woi-ld  of  matter.  It  is  true  that  there  is  a 
point  at  which  their  respective  jurisdictions  seem  to  meet — in  the  idea 
of  duty.  But  even  duty  is  viewed  by  each  in  very  different  lights. 
The  Chiu'ch  enjoins  it  as  obedience  to  God,  and  the  state  enforces  it 
as  the  safeguard  of  order.  But  there  can  be  no  collision,  vmless  one 
or  the  other  blunders  as  to  the  things  that  are  materially  right.  When 
the  state  makes  wicked  laws,  contradicting  the  eternal  principles  of 
rectitude,  the  Church  is  at  liberty  to  testify  against  them,  and  humbly 
to  petition  that  they  may  be  repealed.  In  like  manner,  if  the  Church 
becomes  seditious  and  a  distm'ber  of  the  peace,  the  state  has  a  right 
to  abate  the  nuisance.  In  ordinary  cases,  however,  there  is  not  likely 
to  be  a  coUision.  Among  a  Christian  people  there  is  little  difference 
of  opinion  as  to  the  radical  distinctions  of  right  and  wrong.  The  only 
serious  danger  is  where  moral  dut}''  is  conditioned  upon  a  political 
question.  Under  the  pretext  of  inculcating  duty,  the  Chiu'ch  may 
usurp  the  power  to  determine  the  question  which  conditions  it,  and 
that  is  precisely'  what  she  is  debarred  from  doing.  The  condition  must 
be  given.  She  must  accept  it  from  the  state,  and  then  her  own  course 
is  clear.  If  Ca'sar  is  your  master,  then  pay  tribute  to  him ;  but 
whether  the  //'  holds,  whether  Cfesar  is  your  master  or  not,  whether  he 
ever  had  any  just  authority,  whether  he  now  retains  it  or  has  forfeited 
it,  these  are  points  which  the  ChiU'ch  has  no  commission  to  adjudicate. 
Had  these  principles  been  steadily  maintained  by  the  Assembly  at 
Philadelphia,  it  is  possible  that  the  ecclesiastical  separation  of  the  North 
and  the  South  might  have  been  deferred  for  years  to  come.  Oiu*  Pres- 
byteries, many  of  them,  clung  with  tenderness  to  the  recollections  of  the 
past.  Sacred  memories  gathered  aromid  that  venerable  Chui'ch  which 
had  breasted  many  a  storm  and  trained  our  fathers  for  glory.  It  had 
alwaj-s  been  distinguished  for  its  conservative  influence,  and  many  fond- 
ly hoped  that,  even  in  the  present  emergency,  it  would  raise  its  placid 
and  serene  head  above  the  tumults  of  popular  passion,  and  bid  defiance 
to  the  angTy  billows  which  rolled  at  its  feet.  We  expected  it  to  bow  in 
reverence  only  at  the  name  of  Jesus.  Many  di-eamed  that  it  would  ut- 
terly refuse  to  know  either  Confederates  or  Federahsts,  and  utterly  re- 
fuse to  give  any  authoritative  decree  without  a  "thus  saith  the  Lord," 
It  Avas  ardently  desired  that  the  sublime  spectacle  might  be  presented 
of  one  chm-ch  upon  earth  combining  in  cordial  fellowship  and  in  holy 
love  the  disciples  of  Jesus  in  different  and  even  in  hostile  lands.  But, 
alas !  for  the  weakness  of  man,  these  golden  visions  were  soon  dispelled. 
The  fii-st  thing  which  roused  our  Presbyteries  to  look  the  question  of 
separation  seriously  in  the  face  was  the  coiurseof  the  Assembly  in  ven- 
turing to  determine,  as  a  court  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  it  did  by  ne- 
cessary impHcation,  the  true  interpretation  of  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States  as  to  the  kind  of  government  it  intended  to  form.  A 
political  theory  was,  to  all  intents  and  pm-poses,  propoimded,  which 
made  secession  a  crime,  the  seceding  States  rebellious,  and  the  citizens 


Sec.  Gil.]        Rel.\tions  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  373 

who  obeyed  them  traitors.  We  say  nothing  here  as  to  the  righteous- 
ness or  unrighteousness  of  these  decrees.  AMiat  we  maintain  is  that, 
whether  right  or  wrong,  the  Church  had  no  right  to  make  them:  she 
transcended  her  sphere,  and  usui^^ed  the  duties  of  the  8tate.  The  dis- 
cussion of  these  questions,  we  are  sorry  to  add,  was  in  the  spii'it  and 
temper  of  partisan  declaimers.  The  Assembly,  driven  from  its  ancient 
moorings,  was  tossed  to  and  fro  by  the  waves  of  popular  passion.  Like 
Pilate,  it  obeyed  the  clamor  of  the  multitude,  and,  though  acting  in  the 
name  of  Jesus,  it  kissed  the  sceptre  and  bowed  the  knee  to  the  man- 
dates of  Northern  frenzy.  The  Church  was  converted  into  the  forum, 
and  the  Assembly  was  henceforward  to  become  the  arena  of  sectional 
divisions  and  national  anunosities. 

We  frankly  admit  that  the  mere  unconstitutionality  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  last  Assembly  is  not,  in  itself  considered,  a  sufficient  ground 
of  separation.  It  is  the  consequences  of  these  proceedings  which  make 
them  so  offensive.  It  is  the  door  which  they  open  for  the  introduction 
of  the  worst  jjassious  of  human  nature  into  the  deliberations  of  church 
courts.  The  spirit  of  these  pi'oceediugs,  if  allowed  to  prevail,  would  for 
ever  banish  peace  from  the  Chm'ch,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  hope  that 
the  tide  which  has  begim  to  flow  can  soon  be  arrested.  The  two  Con- 
federacies hate  each  other  more  intensely  now  than  they  did  in  May, 
and  if  their  citizens  should  come  together  upon  the  same  floor,  what- 
ever might  be  the  errand  that  brought  them  there,  they  could  not  be 
restrained  from  smiting  each  other  with  the  fist  of  wickedness.  For 
the  sake  of  peace,  therefore,  for  Christian  charity,  for  the  honor  of  the 
Church,  and  for  the  glory  of  God,  we  have  been  constrained,  as  much 
as  in  us  lies,  to  remove  all  occasion  of  offense.  We  have  quietly  sepa- 
rated, and  we  are  grateful  to  God  that,  while  leaving  for  the  sake  of 
peace,  we  leave  it  with  the  humble  consciousness  that  we  ourselves 
have  never  given  occasion  to  break  the  peace.  We  have  never  con- 
founded Casar  and  Christ,  and  we  have  never  mixed  the  issues  of  this 
world  with  the  weighty  matters  that  properly  belong  to  us  as  citizens 
of  the  kingdom  of  God. 

2.  Though  the  immediate  occasion  of  separation  was  the  course  of 
the  General  Assembly  at  Philadelphia  in  relation  to  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment and  the  war,  yet  there  is  another  ground  on  which  the  inde- 
pendent organization  of  the  Southern  Church  can  be  amply  and  scrip- 
tui'ally  maintained.  The  imity  of  the  Church  does  not  requu'e  a  formal 
bond  of  union  among  all  the  congregations  of  believers  throughout  the 
earth.  It  does  not  demand  a  vast  imperial  monarchy  like  that  of  Ikime, 
nor  a  strictly  universal  council  like  tliat  to  which  the  complete  develop- 
ment of  Presbyterianism  would  uatiu'ally  give  rise.  The  Church  catho- 
Hc  is  one  in  Christ,  but  it  is  not  necessarily  one  visible,  all-absorbing 
organization  upon  earth.  There  is  no  schism  where  there  is  no  breach 
of  charity.  Chiu-ches  may  be  perfectly  at  one  in  every  principle  of  faith 
and  order,  autl  yet  geographically  distinct,  and  mutually  independent. 
As  the  unity  of  the  human  race  is  not  disturbed  by  its  division  into 
countries  and  nations,  so  the  unity  of  the  spiritual  seed  of  Christ  is 
neither  broken  or  impaired  by  separation  and  division  into  various 
church  constitutions  Accordingly,  in  the  Protestant  coimtries  church 
organizations  have  followed  national  lines.  The  Calvinistic  churches 
of  Switzerland  are  distinct  from  the  Peformed  Church  of  France.  The 
Presbyterians  of  Iieland  belong  to  a  different  chiu'ch  from  the  Presby- 


374  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  "VII. 

teriaBS  of  Scotland,  and  the  Presbji:erians  of  this  couiitiy  constitute 
a  church,  in  hke  manner,  distinct  from  all  other  churches  on  the  globe. 
That  the  di\ision  into  national  chiu-ches,  that  is,  chm'ches  bounded  by 
national  hnes,  is,  in  the  present  condition  of  human  nature,  a  benefit, 
seems  to  us  too  obvi(.>us  for  proof.  It  reahzes  to  the  Church  catholic  all 
the  advantages  of  a  division  of  labor.  It  makes  a  church  organization 
homogeneous  and  compact;  it  stimulates  holy  rivalry  and  zeal;  it  re- 
moves aU  grounds  of  suspicion  and  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  state. 
What  is  lost  in  expansion  is  gained  in  energy.  The  Church  catholic, 
as  thus  divided,  and  yet  spiritually  one,  divided,  but  not  rent,  is  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  the  great  philosophical  principle  which  per- 
vades aU  nature — the  co-existence  of  the  one  with  the  many. 

If  it  is  desirable  that  each  nation  should  contain  a  separate  and  an 
independent  church,  the  Presbyteries  of  these  Confederate  States  need 
no  apology  for  bowing  to  the  decree  of  Providence,  which,  in  withdraw- 
ing their  country  from  the  government  of  the  United  States,  has,  at  the 
same  time,  determined  that  they  should  withdraw  from  the  Church  of 
their  fathers.  It  is  not  that  they  have  ceased  to  love  it — not  that  they 
have  abjured  its  ancient  principles,  or  forgotten  its  glorious  historv'.  It 
is  to  give  these  same  principles  a  richer,  freer,  fuller  development  among 
ourselves  than  they  j^ossibly  could  receive  under  foreign  culture.  It  is 
precisely  because  we  love  that  Church  as  it  was,  and  that  Church  as  it 
should  be,  that  we  have  resolved,  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  to  realize  its  grand 
idea  in  the  country  and  under  the  government  where  God  has  cast  our 
lot.  "With  the  supreme  control  of  ecclesiastical  affairs  in  our  own  hands, 
we  may  be  able,  in  some  competent  measure,  to  consmnmate  this  result. 
In  subjection  to  a  foreign  jjower,  we  could  no  more  accomplish  it  than 
the  Chm-ch  in  the  United  States  could  have  been  developed  in  depen- 
dence upon  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland.  The  difficulty  there 
would  have  been,  not  the  distance  of  Edinburgh  from  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia or  Charleston,  but  the  difference  in  the  manners,  habits,  cus- 
toms and  ways  of  thinking,  the  social,  civil  and  political  institutions  of 
the  people.  These  same  difficulties  exist  in  relation  to  the  Confederate 
and  United  States,  and  render  it  eminently  prt)per  that  the  Church  in 
each  should  be  as  separate  and  independent  as  the  governments. 

In  addition  to  this,  there  is  one  difference  which  so  radically  and  fun- 
damentally distinguishes  the  North  and  the  South  that  it  is  becoming 
every  day  more  and  more  apparent  that  the  religious,  as  well  as  the 
secular,  interests  of  botli  will  be  more  effectually  promoted  by  a  (com- 
plete and  lasting  separation.  The  antagonism  of  Northern  and  South- 
ern sentiment  on  the  subject  of  slavery  lies  at  the  root  of  all  the  diffi- 
culties which  have  resulted  in  the  dismemberment  of  the  Federal 
Union,  and  involved  us  in  the  horrors  of  an  unnatm-al  war.  The  Pres- 
byterian Chiu-ch  in  the  United  States  has  been  enabled  by  the  Divine 
gi'ace  to  pursue,  for  the  most  part,  an  eminently  conservative,  because 
a  thoroughly  scriptural,  policy  in  relation  to  this  dehcate  (question.  It 
has  planted  itself  upon  the  Word  of  God,  and  utterly  refused  to  make 
slaveholdina-  a  sin,  or  non-slaveholding  a  term  of  communion.-  But 
though  both  secttions  are  agreed  as  to  this  general  principle,  it  is  not 
tfj  be  disguised  that  the  North  exercises  a  deep  and  settled  antipathy 
to  slavery  itself,  while  the  South  is  equally  zeak)us  in  its  defence,  lie- 
cent  events  can  have  no  other  effect  thiin  to  confirm  the  antipathy  on 
the  one  hand  and  strengthen  the  attachment  on  the  other.     The  North- 


Sec.  611.]        Relations  of  the  Chukch  with  Other  Bodies.  875 

ern  section  of  the  Church  stands  in  the  awkward  predicament  of  main- 
taining in  one  breath  that  slaveiy  is  an  eAil  which  ought  to  be  abol- 
ished, and  of  asserting  in  the  next  that  it  is  not  a  sin  to  be  visited  by 
exclusion  from  the  communion  of  the  saints.  The  consequence  is,  that 
it  plays  partly  into  the  hands  of  abolitionists  and  partly  into  the  hands 
of  slaveholders,  and  weakens  its  influence  with  both.  It  occupies  the 
position  of  a  prevaricating  witness,  whom  neither  party  will  trust.  It 
would  be  better,  therefore,  for  the  moral  power  of  the  Northern  section 
of  the  Chiu'ch  to  get  entirel}'  quit  of  the  subject.  At  the  same  time,  it 
is  intuitively  obvious  that  the  Southern  section  of  the  Church,  while 
even  partially  imder  the  control  of  those  M'ho  are  hostile  to  slavery,  can 
never  have  free  and  unimpeded  access  to  the  slave  population.  Its 
ministers  and  elders  will  always  be  liable  to  some  degree  of  suspicion. 
In  the  present  circumstances.  Northern  alliance  would  be  absolutely 
fatal.  It  would  utterly  preclude  the  Church  from  a  wide  and  com- 
manding field  of  usefulness.  This  is  too  dear  a  price  to  be  paid  for  a 
nominal  union.  We  camiot  afford  to  give  up  these  millions  of  souls, 
and  consign  them,  so  far  as  our  efforts  are  concerned,  to  hopeless  per- 
dition, for  the  sake  of  preserving  an  outward  unity  which,  after  all,  is 
an  emjity  shadow.  If  we  would  gird  oiu'selves  heartily  and  in  earnest 
for  the  work  which  God  has  set  before  us,  we  must  have  the  control  of 
GUI'  ecclesiastical  affau's,  and  declare  ourselves  separate  and  indepen- 
dent. 

And  here  we  may  venture  to  lay  before  the  Christian  world  otu:  views 
as  a  Church  upon  the  subject  of  slaver\\     We  beg  a  candid  hearing. 

In  the  first  place,  we  would  have  it  distinctly  understood  that,  in  oui' 
ecclesiastical  capacity,  we  ai'e  neither  the  friends  nor  the  foes  of  slaveiy, 
that  is  to  say,  we  have  no  commission  either  to  propagate  or  abohsh  it. 
The  pohcy  of  its  existence  or  non-existence  is  a  question  which  exclu- 
sively belongs  to  the  state.  We  have  no  right,  as  a  Church,  to  enjoin 
it  as  a  duty,  or  to  condemn  it  as  a  sin.  Oiu*  business  is  with  the  duties 
which  spring  fi'om  the  relation ;  the  duties  of  the  masters  on  the  one 
hand,  and  of  their  slaves  on  the  other.  These  duties  we  are  to  pro- 
claim and  to  enfoi'ce  with  spiiitual  sanctions.  The  social,  civil,  politi- 
cal, problems  connected  with  this  great  subject  transcend  our  sphere, 
as  God  has  not  entrusted  to  his  Church  the  organization  of  society, 
the  construction  of  governments,  nor  the  allotment  of  individuals  to 
their  various  stations.  The  Chiu'ch  has  as  much  right  to  preach  to  the 
monarchies  of  Eui'ope  and  the  despotism  of  Asia  the  doctrines  of  re- 
publican equality  as  to  preach  to  the  governments  of  the  South  the  ex- 
tirpation of  slavery.  This  position  is  impregnable,  unless  it  can  be 
shown  that  slavery  is  a  sin.  Upon  every  other  h^i)othesis,  it  is  so 
clearly  a  question  for  the  state  that  the  proposition  would  never  for  a 
moment  have  been  doubted,  had  there  not  been  a  foregone  conclusion  in 
relation  to  its  moral  character.     Is  slavery,  then,  a  sin  ? 

In  answering  this  question  as  a  Cliurch,  let  it  be  distinctly  borne  in 
mind  that  the  only  rule  pf  judgment  is  the  wi'itten  Word  of  God.  The 
Chiu'ch  knows  nothing  of  the  institutions  of  reason  or  the  deductions  of 
philosophy,  except  those  reproduced  in  the  sacred  canon.  She  has  a 
positive  constitution  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  has  no  right  to  utter 
a  single  syUable  upon  any  subject  except  as  the  Lord  puts  words  in  her 
mouth.  She  is  founded,  in  other  words,  upon  express  revelation.  Her 
creed  is  an  authoritative  testimony  of  God,  and  not  a  speculation,  and 


376  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

what  she  proclaims  she  must  proclaim  with  the  infalUble  certitude  of 
faith,  and  not  with  the  hesitating  assent  of  an  opinion.  The  question, 
then,  is  brought  within  a  narrow  comj)ass :  Do  the  Scriptures  directly 
or  indirectly  condemn  slavery  as  a  sin  1  If  they  do  not,  the  dispute  is 
ended,  for  the  Church,  without  forfeiting  her  character,  dares  not  go 
beyond  them. 

Now,  we  venture  to  assert  that,  if  men  had  drawn  their  conclusions 
upon  this  subject  only  from  the  Bible,  it  would  no  more  have  entered 
into  any  human  head  to  denounce  slavery  as  a  sin  than  to  denounce 
monarchy,  aristocrac3%  or  poverty.  The  truth  is,  men  have  hstened  to 
what  they  falselj^  considered  as  primitive  intuitions,  or  as  necessary  de- 
ductions from  primitive  cognitions,  and  then  have  gone  to  the  Bible  to 
confirm  the  crotchets  of  their  vain  philosophy.  They  have  gone  there 
determined  to  find  a  particular  result,  and  the  consequence  is,  that  they 
leave  with  having  made,  instead  of  having  interpreted,  Scripture. 
Slavery  is  no  new  thing.  It  has  not  only  existed  for  ages  in  the  world, 
but  it  has  existed,  vmder  every  dispensation  of  the  covenant  of  grace, 
in  the  Church  of  God.  Indeed,  the  first  organization  of  the  Church  as 
a  visible  society,  separate  and  distinct  from  the  unbelieving  Avorld,  was 
inaugurated  in  the  family  of  a  slaveholder.  Among  the  ver}'  first  per- 
sons to  whom  the  seal  of  circumcision  was  affixed,  were  the  slaves  of 
the  father  of  the  faithful,  some  born  in  his  house,  and  others  bought 
wdth  his  money.  Slavery  again  re-appears  under  the  Law.  God  sanc- 
tions it  in  the  first  table  of  the  Decalogue,  and  Moses  treats  it  as  an 
institution  to  be  regulated,  not  abolished ;  legitimated,  and  not  con- 
demned. We  come  down  to  the  age  of  the  New  Testament,  and  we 
find  it  again  in  the  churches  founded  by  the  apostles  under  the  plenary 
inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  facts  are  utterly  amazing,  if 
slaverv  is  the  enormous  sin  which  its  enemies  represent  it  to  be.  It 
will  not  do  to  say  that  the  Scriptures  have  treated  it  only  in  a  general, 
incidental  way,  without  any  clear  implication  as  to  its  moral  character. 
Moses  surely  made  it  the  subject  of  express  and  positive  legislation, 
and  the  apostles  are  equally  explicit  in  inculcating  the  duties  which 
spring  from  both  sides  of  the  relation.  They  treat  slaves  as  bound  to 
obey,  and  inculcate  obedience  as  an  office  of  rehgion — a  thing  wholly 
self- contradictory  if  the  authority  exercised  over  them  were  unlawful 
and  iniquitous. 

But  what  puts  this  subject  in  a  still  clearer  hght  is  the  manner  in 
which  it  is  sought  to  extort  from  the  Scriptures  a  contrary  testimony. 
The  notion  of  direct  and  explicit  condemnation  is  given  up.  The  at- 
tempt is  to  show  that  the  genius  and  spirit  of  Christianity  are  opposed 
to  it — that  its  great  cardinal  principles  of  virtue  are  utterly  against  it. 
Much  stress  is  laid  upon  the  Golden  Eule  and  upon  the  general  de- 
nunciations of  tyi'anny  and  oppression.  To  aU  this  we  reply,  that  no 
principle  is  clearer  than  that  a  case  positively  excepted  cannot  be  in- 
cluded under  a  general  rule.  Let  us  ccmcede,  for  a  moment,  that  the 
laws  of  love  and  the  condemnation  of  tyranny  and  oppression  seem 
logicall}^  to  involve,  as  a  result,  the  condemnation  of  slavery;  yet,  if 
slavery  is  afterwards  expressly  mentioned  and  treated  as  a  lawful  rela- 
tion, it  obviously  follows,  unless  Scripture  is  to  be  interpreted  as  incon- 
sistent with  itself,  that  slavery  is,  by  necessary  imphcation,  excepted. 
The  Jewish  law  forbade,  as  a  general  rule,  the  marriage  of  a  man  with 
his  Ijrother's  wife.     The  same  law  expressly  enjoined  the  same  mar- 


Sec.  6J1.J        Relations  of  the  Church  ^\^TH  Other  Bodies.  377 

riage  in  a  given  case.  The  given  case  was,  therefore,  an  exception, 
and  not  to  be  treated  as  a  violation  of  the  general  rule.  The  law  of 
love  has  always  been  the  law  of  God.  It  was  enmiciated  hj  Moses 
almost  as  clearly  as  it  was  enunciated  by  Jesus  Christ.  Yet,  notvpith- 
stauding  this  law,  Moses  and  the  apostles  ahke  sanctioned  the  relation 
of  slaveiy.  The  conclusion  is  inevitable,  either  that  the  law  is  not  op- 
posed to  it,  or  that  slaveiy  is  an  excepted  case.  To  say  that  the  pro- 
hibition of  tyranny  and  oppression  include  slaveiy,  is  to  beg  the  whole 
question.  Tp-anny  and  oppression  involve  either  the  unjust  usuri^a- 
tion  or  the  unlawful  exercise  of  power.  It  is  the  unlawfulness,  either 
in  its  principle  or  measure,  which  constitutes  the  core  of  the  sin. 
Slavery  must,  therefore,  be  proved  to  be  unlawful  before  it  can  be  re- 
ferred to  any  such  category.  The  master  may,  indeed,  abuse  his 
power,  but  he  oppresses  not  simply  as  a  master,  but  as  a  wicked  master. 

But,  apart  from  aU  this,  the  law  of  love  is  simply  the  inculcation  of 
universal  equity.  It  implies  nothing  as  to  the  existence  of  various 
ranks  and  gradations  m  society.  The  interpretation  which  makes  it  re- 
pudiate slaveiy  would  make  it  equally  repudiate  all  social,  civil,  and  poli- 
tical inequalities.  Its  meaning  is,  not  that  we  should  conform  ourselves 
to  the  arbitrary  expectations  of  others,  but  that  we  should  render  unto 
them  precisely  the  same  measures  which,  if  we  were  in  their  circum- 
stances, it  would  be  reasonable  and  just  in  us  to  demand  at  then*  hands. 
It  condemns  slaveiy,  therefore,  only  upon  the  supposition  that  slavery 
is  a  sinful  relation — that  is,  he  who  extracts  the  prohibition  (jf  slaverv^ 
from  the  Golden  Bule  begs  the  veiy  point  in  dispute. 

We  cannot  prosecute  the  argument  in  detail,  but  we  have  said  enough, 
we  think,  to  vindicate  the  position  of  the  Southern  Church.  We  have 
assumed  no  new  attitude.  We  stand  exactly  where  the  Church  of  God 
has  always  stood — fi'om  Abraham  to  ]\Ioses,  from  Moses  to  Christ,  from 
Christ  to  the  Reformers,  and  from  the  Reformers  to  oiu'selves.  We 
stand  ujDon  the  foimdation  of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  Jesus  Christ 
himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone.  Shall  we  be  excluded  from  the 
fellowship  of  our  brethren  in  other  lands  because  we  dare  not  depart 
from  the  charter  of  our  faith  .'  Shall  we  be  branded  vrith  the  stigma 
of  reproach  because  we  cannot  (consent  to  corrupt  the  Word  of  God  to 
suit  the  intuitions  of  an  intidel  philosophy  '.  Shall  our  names  be  cast 
out  as  evil,  and  the  finger  of  scorn  pointed  at  us,  because  we  utterly 
refuse  to  break  our  communi(jn  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  with 
Moses,  David,  and  Isaiah,  with  apostles,  prophets,  and  martyrs,  with 
all  the  noble  army  of  confessors  who  have  gone  to  gioiy  from  slave- 
holding  countries  and  from  a  slave-holding  Church,  %\dthout  ever  hav- 
ing dreamed  that  they  were  living  in  mortal  sin  by  conniving  at  slaver\' 
in  the  midst  of  them  .'  If  so,  we  shall  take  consolation  in  the  cheering 
consciousness  that  the  Master  has  accepted  us.  We  may  be  denounced, 
despised,  and  cast  out  of  the  synagogues  of  our  brethren  -.  but  while 
they  are  wraughng  about  the  distinctions  of  men  according  to  the  flesh, 
we  shall  go  forward  in  our  divine  work,  and  confidently  anticipate  that, 
in  the  great  day,  as  the  consecjuence  of  our  humble  lal)ors,  we  shall 
meet  millions  of  glorified  sjnrits,  who  have  come  up  from  the  bondage 
of  earth  to  a  nobler  freedom  than  human  philosophy  ever  dreamed  of. 
Othei*s,  if  they  please,  may  sj)end  their  time  in  declaiming  on  the  ty- 
ranny of  earthly  masters :  it  will  be  our  aim  to  resist  the  real  tyrants 
wliich  oppress  the  soul — sin  and  Satan.     These  are  the  foes  against 


378  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeal  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

whom  we  shall  fiud  it  employment  enough  to  wage  a  successful  war. 
And  to  this  holy  war  it  is  the  purpose  of  our  Chiu'ch  to  devote  itself 
with  redoubled  energy.  We  feel  that  the  souls  of  om-  slaves  are  a 
solemn  trust,  and  we  shall  strive  to  present  them  faultless  and  complete 
before  the  presence  of  God. 

Indeed,  as  we  contemplate  their  condition  in  the  Southern  States, 
and  contrast  it  with  that  of  their  fathers  before  them,  and  that  of  their- 
brethren  in  the  present  day  in  their  native  land,  we  cannot  but  accept 
it  as  a  gracious  providence  that  they  havp  been  brought  in  such  numbers 
to  oui-  shores,  and  redeemed  from  the  bondage  of  barbarism  and  sin. 
Slavery  to  them  has  certainly  been  overruled  for  the  greatest  good. 
It  has  been  a  link  in  the  wondrous  chain  of  Providence,  through  which 
many  scms  and  daughters  have  been  made  heirs  of  the  heavenly  inheri- 
tance. The  providential  result  is,  of  course,  no  justification  if  the 
thing  is  intrinsically  ^^i-ong;  but  it  is  certainly  a  matter  of  devout 
thanksgiving,  and  no  obscure  intimation  of  the  wiU  and  purjDose  of 
God,  and  of  the  consequent  duty  of  the  Church.  We  cannot  forbear 
to  say,  however,  that  the  general  operation  of  the  system  is  kindly  and 
benevolent ;  it  is  a  real  and  effective  discipline,  and  without  it  we  are 
profoundly  persuaded  that  the  African  race  in  the  midst  of  us  can 
never  be  elevated  in  the  scale  of  being.  As  long  as  that  race,  in  its 
comparative  degradation  co-exists  side  by  side  with  the  white,  bondage 
is  its  normal  condition. 

As  to  the  endless  declamation  about  human  rights,  we  have  only  to 
say  that  human  rights  are  not  a  fixed,  but  a  fluctuating  quantity. 
Their  sum  is  not  the  same  in  any  two  nations  on  the  globe.  The  rights 
of  Englishmen  are  one  thing,  the  rights  of  Frenchmen  another.  There 
is  a  minimuiji  without  which  a  man  cannot  be  responsible ;  there  is  a 
maximum  which  expresses  the  highest  degree  of  civilization  and  of 
Christian  culture.  The  education  of  the  species  consists  in  its  ascent 
along  this  line.  As  you  go  up,  the  number  of  rights  increases,  but  the 
number  of  individuals  who  possess  them  diminishes.  As  you  come 
down  the  line,  rights  are  diminished,  bat  the  individuals  are  multiplied. 
It  is  just  the  opposite  of  the  predicamental  scale  of  the  logicians. 
There  comprehension  diminishes  as  yovi  ascend  and  extension  increases, 
and  comprehension  increases  as  you  descend  and  extension  diminishes. 
Now,  when  it  is  said  that  slaver}^  is  inconsistent  with  human  rights,  we 
crave  to  understand  what  pomt  in  this  line  the  slave  is  conceived  to 
occupy.  There  are,  no  doubt,  many  rights  which  belong  to  other  men 
— to  Englishmen,  to  Frenchmen,  to  his  master,  for  example — which  are 
denied  to  him.  Bvit  is  he  fit  to  possess  them  ?  Has  God  qualified  him 
to  meet  the  responsibilities  which  their  possession  necessarily  implies  ? 
His  place  in  the  scale  is  determined  b}'  his  competency  to  fulfil  its 
duties.  There  are  other  rights  which  he  certainly  possesses,  without 
which  he  could  neither  be  human  nor  accountable.  Before  slavery  can 
be  charged  with  doing  him  injustice,  it  must  be  slK)wn  that  the  mini- 
mum which  falls  to  his  lot  at  the  bottom  of  the  line  is  out  of  proportion 
to  his  capacity  and  cultiu'e- — a  thing  which  can  never  be  done  by 
abstract  speculation.  The  truth  is,  the  education  of  the  human  race 
for  liberty  and  virtue  is  a  vast  providential  scheme,  and  God  assigns 
to  every  man,  by  a  wise  and  holy  decree,  the  precise  place  he  is  to  oc- 
cupy in  the  great  moral  school  of  humanity.  The  scholars  are  dis- 
tributed into  classes,  according  to  their  competency  and  progress ;  for 
God  is  in  historv. 


Sec.  611.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  379 

To  avoid  the  suspicion  of  a  conscious  weakness  of  our  cause,  when 
contemplated  from  the  side  of  pui'e  speculation,  we  may  advert  for  a 
moment  to  those  pretended  intuitions  which  stamp  the  reprobation  of 
humanity  upon  this  ancient  and  hoaiy  institution.  We  admit  that 
there  are  primitive  principles  in  morals  which  he  at  the  root  of  human 
consciousness.  But  the  question  is,  how  are  we  to  distinguish  them? 
The  subjective  feeling  of  certainty  is  no  adequate  criterion,  as  that  is 
equally  felt  in  reference  to  crotchets  and  hereditaiy  prejudices.  The 
very  jwint  is  to  know  when  this  certainty  indicates  a  primitive  cogni- 
tion, and  when  it  does  not.  There  must,  therefore,  be  some  eternal 
test,  and  whatever  cannot  abide  that  test  has  no  authority  as  a  primary 
truth.  That  test  is  an  inward  necessity  of  thought,  which,  in  all  minds 
at  the  proper  stage  of  matiu-ity,  is  absolutely  universal,  ^^"hatever  is 
universal  is  natural.  We  are  willing  that  slavery  should  be  tried  by 
this  standard.  We  are  willing  to  abide  by  the  testimony  of  the  race, 
and  if  man,  as  man,  has  evexywhere  condemned  it — if  all  human  laws 
have  prohibited  it  as  crime — if  it  stands  in  the  same  category  with 
malice,  murder,  and  theft,  then  we  are  wilhug,  in  the  name  of  human- 
ity, to  renounce  it,  and  to  renounce  it  forever.  But  what  if  the  over- 
whelming majority  of  mankind  have  approved  it?  what  if  philosophers 
and  statesmen  have  justified  it,  and  the  laws  of  all  nations  acknow- 
ledged it  ?  what  then  becomes  of  these  luminous  intuitions  ?  They  are 
an  if/iiis  fatuus  mistaken  for  a  star. 

We  have  now,  brethren,  in  a  brief  compass,  for  the  nature  of  this 
address  admits  only  of  an  outline,  opened  to  you  our  whole  hearts  upon 
this  delicate  and  vexed  subject.  We  have  concealed  nothing.  We  have 
sought  to  conciliate  no  sympathy  by  appeals  to  j'our  charity.  We  have 
tried  our  cause  by  the  Word  of  God ;  and  though  protesting  against  its 
authority  to  judge  in  a  question  concerning  the  duty  of  the  Church,  we 
have  not  refused  to  appear  at  the  tribunal  of  reason.  Are  we  not  right, 
in  view  of  all  the  preceding  considerations,  in  remitting  the  social,  civil, 
and  political  problems  connected  with  slavery  to  the  state  ?  Is  it  not 
a  subject,  save  in  the  moral  duties  which  spring  from  it,  which  lies  be- 
yond the  province  of  the  Church  ?  Have  we  any  right  to  make  it  an 
element  in  judging  of  Christian  character?  Are  we  not  treading  in  the 
footsteps  of  the  Hock?  Ai'e  we  not  acting  as  Christ  and  his  apostles 
have  acted  before  us  ?  Is  it  not  enough  for  us  to  pray  and  labor,  in 
our  lot,  that  all  men  may  be  saved,  without  meddhng  as  a  Church  with 
the  techniciil  distinction  of  theii'  civil  life?  We  leave  the  matter  with 
you.  We  offer  you  the  right  hand  of  feUowship.  It  is  for  you  to  ac- 
cept it  or  reject  it.  We  have  done  our  dut}'.  We  can  do  no  more. 
Truth  is  more  precious  than  union,  and  if  you  cast  us  out  as  sinners, 
the  breach  of  charity  is  not  with  us  as  long  as  we  walk  according  to 
the  light  of  the  written  Word. 

Tlie  ends  which  we  propose  to  accomplish  as  a  Church  are  the  same 
as  those  which  are  jiroposed  b}'  every  other  church.  To  proclaim  God's 
tiiith  as  a  witness  to  the  nations  :  to  gather  his  elect  from  the  four  cor- 
net's of  the  earth,  and  through  the  Word,  ministers,  and  ordinances,  to 
train  them  for  eternal  life,  is  the  great  business  of  his  people.  The 
only  thing  that  will  be  at  all  peculiar  to  us  is  the  manner  in  Avhich  we 
shall  attempt  to  discharge  our  duty.  In  almost  every  dep:ii'tinent  of 
labor,  except  the  pastoral  care  of  c-ongi'egations,  it  has  been  usual  for 
the  Church  to  resort  to  societies  more  or  less  closely  connected  with 
itself,  and  yet  logicall}'  and  really  distinct      It  is  our  purpose  to  rely 


380  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VII. 

upon  the  regular  organs  of  our  government,  and  executive  agencies  di- 
rectly and  immediately  responsible  to  them.  We  wish  to  make  the 
Church,  not  merely  a  superintendent,  but  an  agent.  We  wish  to  de- 
velop the  idea  that  the  congregation  of  believers,  as  visibly  organized, 
is  the  very  society  or  corporation  which  is  divinely  called  to  do  the  work 
of  the  Lord.  We  shall,  therefore,  endeavor  to  do  what  has  never  yet 
been  adequately  done — bring  out  the  energies  of  our  Presbyterian  sys- 
tem of  government.  From  the  session  to  the  Assembly,  we  shall  strive 
to  enlist  all  our  courts,  as  coiu'ts,  in  every  department  of  Christian 
effort.  We  are  not  ashamed  to  confess  that  we  are  intensely  Presbyte- 
rian. We  embrace  all  other  denominaticms  in  the  arms  of  Christian 
fellowship  and  love,  but  our  own  scheme  of  government  we  humbly  be- 
lieve to  be  according  to  the  pattern  shown  in  the  Mount,  and,  by  God's 
grace,  we  propose  to  put  its  efficiency  to  the  test. 

Brethren,  we  have  done.  We  have  told  you  who  we  are,  and  what 
we  are.  We  greet  you  in  the  ties  of  Christian  brotherhood.  We  desu'e 
to  cultivate  peace  and  charity  with  all  onr  fellow-Christians  through- 
out the  world.  We  invite  to  ecclesiastical  communion  all  who  main- 
tain our  principles  c^f  faith  and  order.  And  now  we  commend  you  to 
God  and  the  Word  of  his  grace.  We  devoutly  pray  that  the  whole 
catholic  Church  may  be  afresh  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  that 
she  may  speedily  be  stirred  up  to  give  the  Lord  no  rest  until  he  estab- 
hsh  and  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth. 

[Signed,]  B.  M.  Palmer,  Moderator, 

Jno.  N.  Waudel,  Stated  Clerk, 
Joseph  E.  Wilson,  Permanent  Clerk, 
D.  McNeill  Turner,  Temporary  Clerk. 

Miyiisters :  John  S.  Wilson,  Wm.  Heniy  Foote,  John  H.  Bocock, 
Samuel  R.  Houston,  Francis  McFarland,  W.  T.  Eichardson,  Peyton 
Harrison,  Theodorick  Pryor,  Samuel  D.  Stuart,  James  B.  Eamsey, 
Drury  Lacy,  P.  H.  Dalton,  Eobert  Hett  Chapman,  J.  W.  Elliott,  E.  B. 
McMullen,  Shepard  Wells,  J.  H.  Lorance,  John  B.  Adger,  John  S. 
Harris,  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  E.  Frierson,  J.  H.  Thornwell,  A.  W\ 
Leland,  J.  E.  DuBose,  N.  A.  Pratt,  G.  W.  Boggs,  Eobert  B.  White,  A. 
B.  McCorkle,  John  A.  Smylie,  James  A.  Lyon,  J.  Franklin  Ford,  W.  C. 
Emerson,  John  Hunter,  Eichmond  Mclnnis,  W.  D.  Moore,  J.  H.  Gilles- 
pie, W.  N.  Frierson,  A.  H.  Caldwell,  Thos.  E.  Welch,  John  I.  Boozer, 
Cyrus  Kingsbury,  E.  M.  Loughridge,  Eufus  W.  Bailey,  Hillery  Mose- 
ley,  E.  F.  Bunting,  Levi  Tenney. 

Riding  Elders:  James  D.  Armstrong,  B.  F.  Eenick,  J.  W.  Gilkeson, 
J.  L.  Campbell,  T.  E.  Perkinson,  W.  F.  C.  Gregory,  Samuel  McCorkle, 
Jesse  H.  Lindsay,  Charles  Phillips,  James  H.  Dickson,  J.  G.  Shepherd, 
James  G.  Eamsey,  WiUiam  Murdock,  Samuel  B.  McAdams,  A.  W.  Put- 
nam, Lewis  B.  Thornton,  Thos.  C.  Perrin,  Job  Johnstone,  E.  S.  Hope, 
J.  S.  Thompsim,  W.  Veronneau  Finley,  John  Bonner,  WilHam  A.  For- 
ward, D.  C.  Houston,  AVm.  P.  Webb,  James  Montgomery,  W.  H.  Simp- 
son, Wm.  C.  Black,  David  Hadden,  H.  H.  Kimmons,  J.  T.  Swayne,  T. 
L.  Dunlap,  Edward  AV.  Wright. 

612.  Prayer  for  the  Gonfeder<de  States  and  for  our  soldiers. 

1861,  p.  11.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  will  spend  the 
next  half-hour,  which  is  appointed  for  devotional  exercises,  in  prayer  to 
Almighty  God  for  his  blessing  upon  these  Confederate  States,  and 


Secs.  613-616.]  Relations  of  the  Chi'rch  with  Other  Bodies.  381 

especially  upon  the  officers  and  soldiei's  of  our  armies,  who  are  exposed 
to  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  the  battle  field  and  the  camp. 

P.  12.  The  Assembly  met  and  spent  the  fu-st  half-hour  in  special 
prayer  for  the  blessing  of  God  ujoon  the  cause  of  the  Confederate 
States,  according  to  previous  order. 

G13.  Prayer  for  our  soldiers  and  generals. 

1864,  p.  279.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly,  having  engaged  in  fre- 
quent and  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  intercede  for  our  brave  soldiers 
and  their  officers  and  commanding  generals,  does  earnestly  exhort  aU 
the  ministers,  churches,  and  people,  in  like  manner,  to  constant  suppH- 
cations  in  the  same  behalf. 

18G2,  p.  15.  Jiesolced,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  chiu'ches 
under  the  care  of  this  Assembly  to  offer  special  prayer  on  the  last  Sab- 
bath of  every  month  for  all  our  baptized  young  men  nov^'  in  the  army, 
that  God  would  preserve  them  from  all  evil,  and  make  them  faithful  to 
the  Captain  of  their  salvation. 

614.  Religiotts  estahlishriient  hy  the  government. 

1861,  p.  18.  Dr.  McFarland,  from  the  Committee  on  BiUs  and  Over- 
tures, reported  on  Overtui'e  No.  4,  that  the  committee  deem  it  inexpe- 
dient at  this  time  for  the  Assembly  to  take  any  action  on  the  subject. 
The  Assembly  rejected  the  recommendation  of  the  committee,  and,  on 
motion  of  Dr.  Pry  or,  adopted  the  overture,  which  is  as  follows : 

The  Assembly  approves  of  that  clause  in  the  constitution  of  the  Con- 
federate States  which  f oi'bids  the  Congress  to  enact  any  law  respecting 
a  religious  establisliment,  and  understands  that  prohibition  equally  to 
restrain  the  executive  from  establishing  in  the  jDublic  service,  in  any 
manner  or  on  any  plea  whatever,  one  branch  of  the  Chui'ch  in  prefer- 
ence to  another. 

615.  Memorial  to  Congress  to  embody  iji  the  constitution  a  recognition 

of  the  Christian  religion. 

1861,  p.  21.  Pursuant  to  a  previous  order,  the  Assembly  proceeded 
to  consider  Overture  No.  7,  to-wit,  a  memorial  to  the  Congress  of  the 
Confederate  States  for  the  incorporation  of  an  ai'ticle  in  the  constitu- 
tion distinctly  recognizing  the  Christian  religion. 

Dr.  Thornwell  asked  and  obtained  leave  to  withdraw  the  overture. 

616.  Observance  of  days  of  fasting,  thanksgiving,  and  prayer,  when 

designated  by  the  civil  magistrate. 

1866,  p.  13.  An  overtui-e  sent  by  Tuskegee  church  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  East  Alabama,  and  referred  by  said  Presbytery  to  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

This  overture  has  reference  to  the  relation  between  the  Church  and 
the  state,  and  especially  in  respect  to  the  observance  of  those  days  de- 
signated by  the  civil  magistrate  as  days  of  fasting,  prayer,  or  thanks- 
giving. 

On  these  points,  the  Assembly  would  declare  anew  the  doctrine  of 
our  time-honored  confession,  that  Christ  alone  is  King  and  Head  of  his 
Chiu'ch,  and  that  all  ordinances  of  worship  binding  on  us  ai'e  ordained 
by  him  alone ;  that  there  are  two  conunonwealths,  equally  appointed 


382  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

by  God:  the  civil,  whose  object  is  to  protect  the  persons  and  property, 
and  promote  the  well-being  of  men  as  they  are  members  of  civil  society  ; 
and  the  religious,  the  ccmimonwealth  of  Israel,  whose  object  it  is  to 
train  men,  as  they  are  sinners,  for  glory  and  immortality.  Although 
these  exist  together  in  this  world,  each  is  independent  of  the  other  in 
its  own  sphere.  The  Church  of  Christ,  as  it  is  visible  in  any  countiy, 
is  divided  among  many  denominations,  who  act  in  their  appointments 
for  rehgious  observance  without  reference  to  each  other,  each  being 
responsible  to  Christ  their  Head.  In  the  civil  commonwealth  there  is 
one  and  the  same  civil  authority  ruling  in  its  own  sphere  over  all.  On 
occasions  of  national  calamities  and  sorrows,  or  of  prosperity  and  joy, 
it  is  the  dictate  of  that  religious  nature  with  which  God  has  endowed 
lis,  and  accordant  with  the  teachings  of  his  Holy  Word,  that  we  should 
humble  ourselves,  as  a  people,  with  pra^^er  and  fasting,  or  offer  to  him 
thanksgiving  and  praise.  The  peo2:)le  that  truly  abases  itself  before 
God,  or  offers  to  him  thanksgiving,  performs  an  act  well  pleasing  in  his 
sight.  And  w'hen  the  civil  power,  which  alone  can  reach  us  all,  invites 
to  these  acts,  and  so  furnishes  the  occasion  for  their  performance,  it  is 
right  for  those  who  bear  rule  in  the  visible  Church  to  consider  whether 
Christ  their  Head,  who,  as  Mediatorial  King,  rules  over  the  nations  of 
the  earth  as  weU  as  over  his  Chvirch,  does  not  himself  invite  them  to 
these  acts  of  worship.  He  is  their  Lord.  And  to  their  own  Master 
they  stand  or  fall.  The  act  of  the  civil  power  does  but  secure  that 
concert  of  prayer,  praise  and  worship  that  would  be  wanting  without 
it.  And  we  cannot  condemn  the  civil  magistrate  who  thus  furnishes 
the  opportunity  of  united  religious  acts,  so  consonant  to  the  dictates  of 
the  hearts  of  a  Christian  people  and  to  the  religion  they  profess. 

We  do  not  enjoin  the  observance  of  such  days  in  all  cases,  nor  would 
we  dissuade  from  such  observance,  but  remit  the  determination  of  the 
question,  in  each  case,  to  our  church  sessions. 

617.  Our  relation  to  the  civil  governments  of  the  country. 

1865,  p.  349.  The  following  resolutions  were  presented  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Brown,  and  unanimously  adopted: 

Hesohied,  1,  That  it  is  proper  that  a  pastoral  letter  shall  be  ad- 
dressed by  this  General  Assembly  to  the  several  churches  imder  their 
care,  that  they  may  be  the  more  fulty  re-assured  concerning  various 
points  of  great  importance  connected  with  our  position,  and  be  coun- 
selled in  faithful  love  concerning  the  solemn  obligations  resting  upon 
them. 

2.  That  for  this  purpose  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  member 
from  each  Synod,  shall  be  appointed,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare 
the  letter,  and  make  report  as  soon  as  practicable. 

The  following  were  appointed  such  committee  :  Pev.  William  Drown, 
D.  D.,  C.  A.  Stillman,  D.  D.,  J.  H.  Gillespie,  F.  A.  Eoss,  D.  D.,  J.  L. 
Kirkpatrick,  D.  D.,  J.  L.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  W.  L.  Mitchell,  and  Henry  T. 
Bartlett. 

The  letter  reported  by  this  committee  was  unanimously  adopted, 
and  is  found  on  page  382  of  the  Minutes  of  that  year.  The  following 
is  so  much  of  that  letter  as  is  germane  to  this  subject : 

"  The  storm  of  war  has,  during  the  four  years  past,  swept  over  nearly 
every  part  of  our  bounds — a  war  so  vast  in  its  proportions,  so  bitter  in 
its  animosities,  so  desolating  in  its  effects,  as  to  make  it  an  astonishment 


Secs.  618,  619.]  -Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  383 

to  the  nations.  Its  sacrifices  in  treasure  and  in  blood,  its  public  losses 
and  private  griefs,  swell  beyond  all  calculation.  As  to  its  particular 
causes,  or  upon  which  jiartv  rests  the  blame,  chiefly  or  wholly,  these 
are  questions  which  the  Church  of  Christ  has  no  commission  to  decide. 
Be3'ond  a  doubt,  however,  its  great  root  is  to  be  found  in  those  lusts 
which  war  in  the  members.  Of  these  it  becomes  us  to  own  our  full 
share,  and  because  of  them  to  humble  ourselves  under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God. 

"During  the  prevalence  of  this  war,  'the  higher  powers'  actually 
bearing  rule  over  most  of  our  bounds,  and  to  wlrich  under  the  Word  of 
God  we  were  required  to  be  'subject,'  were  the  government  of  the  Con- 
federate States  and  those  of  the  several  States  constituting  it.  By  the 
event  of  the  war,  the  first  has  been  overthrown,  and  the  second,  as  con- 
stituents thereof,  are  changed.  The  'higher  powers'  now  bearing 
rule  over  us  are  confessedly  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and 
those  existing  in  the  States  wherein  we  reside.  The  rightfulness  of 
these  several  authorities,  or  to  which  of  them  the  allegiance  of  oiu"  peo- 
ple, as  citizens,  was  or  is  primarily  due,  are  matters  vipon  which  a  ju- 
dicatory^ of  the  Church  has  no  right  to  pronounce  judgment.  The  re- 
lation of-  the  Church  of  Christ  to  civil  governments  is  not  one  de  jure, 
but  de  facto.  As  right  and  good,  or  wrong  and  wicked,  they  rise  and 
fall  by  the  agency  or  permission  of  God's  providence.  In  either  case, 
the  attitude  of  the  Church  towards  them  is  essentially  the  same.  As 
long  as  they  stand  and  are  acknowledged,  obedience  is  to  be  enjoined 
as  a  duty,  factious  resistance  condemned  as  a  sin.  But  m  regard  to 
conflicts  between  existing  governments,  or  as  to  movements  in  society, 
peacefiil  or  otherwise,  to  effect  political  changes,  the  Church  as  such 
has  no  more  control  over  them  than  it  has  over  the  polls  of  the  coun- 
try. If  it  has  authority  to  uphold  on  the  one  side,  it  has  equal  power 
to  condemn  on  the  other ;  if  to  suppress  a  poHtical  movement,  then  also 
to  instigate  it.  In  truth  it  has  neither ;  and  to  assert  the  contrary  is 
to  corrupt  the  Church  in  its  principles,  forever  embroil  it  with  the 
strifes  of  the  world,  and  plunge  it  headlong  into  ruin. 

"Under  these  views,  and  considering  the  extraordinary  conflict 
through  which  the  coimtry  has  passed,  as  well  as  the  extraordinary 
circumstances  in  which  it  is  now  placed,  it  is  incumbent  upon  us  to 
exhort  you,  brethren,  to  'obey  them  that  have  the  rule  over  you,  and 
submit  yoiu'selves.'  Fulfil  with  scrupulous  fidelity  all  your  i)bligations 
to  the  governments  of  the  land,  remembering  the  duty  of  this  com- 
phance,  'not  only  for  wrath,  but  also  iov  conscience  sake.'  'For  so  is 
the  will  of  God,  that  with  well  doing  ye  may  put  to  silence  the  igno- 
rance of  foolish  men.' " 

018.  Duty  of  citizens  to  the  state. 
1862,  p.  19.  We  distinctly  rei^ognize  the  right  of  the  state  to  claim 
the  services  of  any  or  all  her  citizens  in  this  the  time  of  her  need.  We 
also  ackuowledge  it  as  a  high  privilege,  as  well  as  a  plain  duty,  for  our 
people  to  pledge  to  each  other,  and  the  government  of  their  choice, 
their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor,  in  united  efforts  to 
drive  back  the  invaders  of  our  soil  and  tlie  enemies  of  our  institutions. 

619.   The  non-political  character  of  the  Church. 
1866,  p.  30.     Extract  from  report  of  Committee  on  Foreign  Corres- 
pondence, which  was  adopted : 


384  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geisiekal  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

"  This  argument,  of  visibly  realizing  the  spiritual  unity  of  the  Lord's 
people,  is  enforced  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  times  in  which 
we  Uve  and  by  the  nature  of  the  controversies  which  now  agitate  the 
Church.  The  old  conflict  for  the  spirituahty  and  independence  of  the 
Church  is,  to  the  amazement  of  many,  renewed  in  our  day  and  upon 
oui-  own  continent.  The  battle  fought  generations  ago  by  the  Mel- 
villes,  Gillespies,  and  Hendersons,  of  Scotland,  is  I'e-opened  with  singu- 
lar violence,  and  the  old  banner  is  again  floating  over  us  with  its  his- 
toric inscription,  "For  Christ's  covenant  and  crowm."  Uj^on  no  one 
subject  is  the  mind  of  this  Assembly  more  clearly  ascertained,  upon  no 
one  doctrine  is  there  a  more  solid  or  perfect  agreement  amongst  those 
whom  this  Assembly  represents,  than  the  non-seculai"  and  non-political 
character  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  Whatever  ambiguous  or  in- 
discreet expressions  may  have  been  extorted,  under  the  pressure  of  ex- 
traordinary excitement,  from  individuals  amongst  us,  the  Assembly  of 
this  Chiu'ch  deliberately  reaffirms  the  testinaony  given  in  the  solemn 
Address  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth,  issued 
in  1861,  during  its  first  sessions  in  the  city  of  Augusta,  and  which  was 
pronounced  in  these  words :" 

(Here  follows  an  extract  from  that  address,  beginning  with  the  words,  ' '  The  pro- 
vinces of  the  Church  and  state  are  perfectly  distinct,"  and  concluding  with  the 
words  "different  spheres  in  the  world  of  matter."  For  this  extract,  see  above, 
p.  371.) 

"  The  early  assertion  of  this  radical  distinction,  at  the  very  opening 
of  our  histor}^  commits  us  to  the  maintenance  and  defence  of  the  crown 
rights  of  the  Redeemer,  whether,  on  the  one  hand,  they  be  usurped  by 
the  state,  or  whether,  on  the  other,  they  be  renounced  by  any  portion 
of  God's  professing  people.  Summoned  thus  in  the  providence  of  God 
to  contend  for  the  same  principles  for  which  our  martyr  fathers  of  the 
Scottish  Reformation  testified  even  to  the  death,  and  which  the  fathers 
of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  labored  so  earnestly  to  secure 
and  rejoiced  in  having  obtained  their  full  recognition  by  the  civil  gov- 
ermnent  in  America,  it  would  be  most  happy  if  all  those  in  the  different 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  family  who  are  called  to  renew  the  pro- 
test could  be  united  in  one  homogeneous  body  for  the  reassertion  of 
Christ's  royal  supremacj^  in  and  over  his  spiritual  kingdom,  the  Chiu'ch. 
The  scattered  testimony  of  separate  and  individual  witnesses  would 
deepen  in  intensity  if  gathered  into  one  volume,  and  rolled  against  those 
who  would  place  the  crown  of  Jesus  upon  the  head  of  Ciesar.  In  view 
of  all  which,  this  Assembly  would  tender  the  hand  to  all  who  are  of 
hke  mind  \vith  us  as  t(j  the  doctrines  of  grace  and  as  to  the  order  and 
discipline  of  God's  house,  that  as  one  compacted  Church  we  may  op- 
pose a  breakwater  against  the  current  which  is  sweeping  from  its  moor- 
ings our  common  Protestantism,  until  the  doctrine  of  the  Church  as  a 
free  spiritual  commonwealth  shall  regain  its  ascendancy,  not  only  over 
the  Presbyterian,  but  over  the  whole  American  Protestant  mind." 

(]20.   The  spirituality  of  the  Church. 

18G6,  p.  37.  The  following  resolution,  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Palmer,  was  adopted: 

In  view  of  the  great  controversy  now  pending  in  this  country,  upon 
the  spirituality  and  independence  of  the  Church  as  the  visible  kingdom 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  upon  the  earth  ;  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that 


Secs.  (;21,  622.  J  Relations  of  the  Church  \\ith  Other  Bodies.  885 

the  Assembly  did,  at  the  time  of  its  organization  in  1861,  plant  itself 
firmly  upon  the  ground  that  the  Church  is  a  spiritual  commonwealth, 
distinct  from  and  independent  of  the  state :  be  it  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Eev.  Messrs.  T.  E.  Peck,  A.  W.  Miller,  and 
George  Heme,  D.  D.,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare,  and  report 
to  the  next  General  Assembly,  a  2:)aper  defining  and  limiting  this  whole 
subject,  for  the  instruction  of  our  people,  and  suitable  to  be  adopted  by 
the  Assembly  as  a  full  and  public  testimony  against  the  alarmmg  de- 
fection manifested  in  so  man}'  branches  of  the  Protestant  Church  in 
this  countiy. 

1867,  p.  139.  A  letter  Avas  received  from  Eev.  Dr.  T.  E.  Peck,  giv- 
ing reasons  for  not  having  presented  a  report  upon  the  subject  assigned 
to  himself  and  others  by  the  General  Assembl}'',  which  were  accepted 
as  satisfactory,  and  the  committee  was  discharged. 

621.  Official  nttermtces  of  the.  Assembly  on  the  spirituality  and  imh- 

jyendence  of  the  Chtirch  to  be  published. 

1870,  p.  542.  The  Committee  of  Publication  is  instructed  to  pub- 
lish, in  tract  form,  the  public  official  utterances  of  our  Assemblies  in 
relation  to  the  spirituality  and  independence  of  the  Church,  including 
the  Address  of  the  Assembly  of  1861  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ 
throughout  the  world,  and  the  Pastoral  Letter  now  to  be  issued  from 
this  Assembly,  and  such  other  papers  as  the  c-ommittee  may  deem  need- 
ful to  explain  the  references  in  said  letter. 

The  executive  committee  reported  (1871,  p.  64)  that  it  had  so  done, 
and  that  it  had  added  extracts  from  proceedings  of  the  Old  School 
Assembly  from  1861  to  1867.  (A  second  edition  contained,  also,  ex- 
tracts from  the  proceedings  of  the  New  School  Assembly  of  the  same 
period. — A.) 

622.  Committee  appointed  to  review  the  testimonies  of  the  Assembly 

as  to  the  non-politicol  character  of  the  Church. 

1875,  p.  45.  Whereas  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Chui'ch  in  the  United  States  did,  at  its  first  organization,  in  1861,  and 
also  at  various  times  since,  formally  and  distinctly  declare  its  conviction 
as  to  the  nature  and  functions  of  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
especially  as  to  its  non-secular  and  non-political  character ;  and  whereas, 
notwithstanding  this,  it  may  be  that  certain  expressions  have  been  in- 
advertently admitted  into  some  of  the  papers  on  our  records  which,  as 
it  is  alleged,  are  not  consistent  with  the  well-considered  and  formal 
views  aforesaid ;  therefore,  " 

Jiesolved,  That  this  subject  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  a  careful  examination  and  make  re- 
port to  the  next  General  Assembly,  to  the  end  that  no  vestige  of  any- 
thing inconsistent  with  the  clearly  defined  position  of  our  General  As- 
semblies may  be  left  to  impair  the  testimony  of  our  Church  upon  this 
vital  point.     Adopted. 

This  committee  was  appointed  to  consist  of  Revs.  William  Brown, 
D.  D.,  M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  Charles  H.  Read,  D.  D. 

1876,  p.  232.  On  the  report  of  this  committee  the  following  paper, 
offered  by  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  was  adopted: 

Hesolved,  1,  That  the  Assembly  receives  this  report  from  the  com- 
25 


386  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

mittee  appointed  b}^  the  last  Assembly  -with  an  expression  of  thanks 
for  the  fidelity  and  ability  with  which  they  have  j)erformed  the  duty 
assigned  them. 

2.  That  the  Summary  of  the  report  is  hereby  adopted,  according  to 
the  recommendation  of  the  committee. 

3.  That  without  formally  adopting,  in  all  its  details,  the  extended 
rejDort  presented,  the  Assembly  does  hereby  give  it,  as  a  whole,  its 
hearty  approval. 

4.  That  said  report  is  hei'eby  ordered  to  be  printed  in  the  Appendix 
to  the  Minutes  of  this  Assembly,  subject,  in  the  meantime,  to  such  re- 
vision by  the  committee  which  prepared  it  as  may  be  judged  suitable, 
and  which  shall  not  be  inconsistent  with  the  tenor  of  the  document. 

And  further,  that  said  report  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Publication,  to  be  published  in  such  a  manner  as  may 
be  deemed  most  proper  for  general  circulation. 

The  follo\^ing  is  the  report  on  the  nature  and  functions  of  the  Church, 
above  alluded  to: 

P.  285.  lu  declaring  the  character  and  functions  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  to  be  non-secular  and  non-political,  it  was  not  meant  to  affirm 
that  it  has  no  authority  to  enjoin  upon  its  members  those  duties  which 
belong  to  their  secular  and  political  relations ;  but  only  this,  that  over 
those  relations  themselves,  whether  to  establish,  change,  or  control 
them,  it  has  no  authority  Avhatever. 

It  is  manifest  that  the  scope  of  this  paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly 
calls  for  a  report  which  shall  be,  as  far  as  practicable,  thorough  and 
complete.  In  our  endeavor  to  perform  this  duty,  it  is  proposed  to 
state,  in  the  first  place,  such  action  of  former  Assemblies  as  clearly  de- 
fines the  position  of  our  Church  in  the  matters  referred  to ;  and,  in  the 
second  place,  to  notice  such  "expressions"  upon  our  records  as  may 
have  been  thought  "  inconsistent  with  the  weU-considered  and  formal 
views  aforesaid." 

I.  Declarations  concerning  the  Non-Secular  and  Non-Political  Char- 

acter OF  the  Church. 

Let  the  following  extracts  from  the  Minutes  of  various  General  As- 
semblies be  cai'ef  uUy  pondered  : 

Here  follow:  1.  Several  extracts  from  first  jiart  of  the  Address  to  the  Churches 
in  1861.  2.  Extract  from  the  Pastoral  Letter  of  18G5,  on  our  relation  to  the  civil 
governments  of  the  country.  3.  From  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Corres- 
pondence, in  1866.  4.  From  the  Letter  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  to  the  General 
Assembly  at  the  time  of  nnitinj:;  with  it,  in  1867 ;  concerning  which  letter  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  in  giving  it  a  place  upon  its  records,  assures  the  Synod  of  its  "sub- 
stantial agreement  with  them  in  the  principles  and  doctrines  for  which  tlioy  have 
contended.  This  agreement  the  Assembly  can  declare  without  any  difficulty,  since 
the  whole  existence  of  our  Church  as  a  separate  organization  has  been  an  assertion 
of  these  princuples,  and  a  protest  against  those  acts  and  doctrines  that  tend  to  sub- 
vert them. "  5.  Concerning  the  relation  of  the  Church  to  the  institutioti  of  slavery ; 
extract  from  the  Address  to  the  Churches  in  18(51;  and  6,  From  the  Pastoral  Let- 
ter of  1865.  All  of  which  are  elsewhere  given  in  full  under  their  appropriate  cap- 
tions. — A. 

II.  We  Notice  Expressions  Alleged  to  be  Inconsis'pent  with  the  Fore- 

going. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assem- 
blies mentioned : 


Sec.  622.]        Relations  of  the  Chi^rch  with  Other  Bodies.  387 

1.  From  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  hi  1862 : 

"  All  the  Presbyteries  Avliich  have  reported  dwell  upon  the  absorbing 
topic  of  the  war  in  which  we  are  now  engaged. 

"  Again,  all  the  Presbyterial  narratives,  without  exception,  mention 
the  fact  that  their  congregations  have  evinced  the  most  cordial  sympa- 
thy with  the  people  of  the  Confederate  States  in  their  efforts  to  main- 
tain their  cherished  rights  and  institutions  against  the  despotic  power 
which  is  attempting  to  crush  them.  Deeply  convinced  that  this  strug- 
gle is  not  alone  for  civil  rights  and  property  and  home,  but  also  for 
religion,  for  the  Church,  for  the  gospel,  and  for  existence  itself,  the 
churches  in  our  connexion  have  freely  contributed  to  its  prosecution  of 
their  substance,  their  prayers,  and,  above  all,  of  their  members  and  the 
beloved  youth  of  their  congregations.  They  have  parted,  without  a 
murmur,  with  those  who  constitute  the  hope  of  the  Church,  and  have 
bidden  them  g(j  forth  to  the  support  of  this  great  and  sacred  cause, 
with  their  benedictions  and  with  their  supplications  for  their  protection 
and  success.  The  Assembly  desires  to  record,  with  its  solemn  approval, 
this  fact  of  the  unanimity  of  our  people  in  supporting  a  contest  to 
which  religion,  as  well  as  patriotism,  now  summons  the  citizens  of  this 
country,  and  to  implore  for  them  the  blessing  of  God  in  the  course  they 
are  now  pursuing." 

2.  JFrom  the  Report  on  Theological  Seminaries  o^'  1862  : 

"  We  distinctly  recognize  the  right  of  the  state  to  claim  the  services 
of  any  or  all  of  her  citizens  in  this  the  time  of  her  need.  We  also  ac- 
knowledge it  as  a  high  privilege,  as  well  as  a  plain  duty,  for  our  people 
to  pledge  to  each  other,  and  the  government  of  their  choice,  their  hves, 
their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor,  in  united  efforts  to  drive  back 
the  invaders  of  our  soil  and  the  enemies  of  our  institutions.  Yet,  when 
and  where  this  necessity  does  not  exist,  we  think  that  oin-  candidates 
can  better  serve  their  generation,  and  do  more  for  their  coimtry,  by  diU- 
gently  preparing  to  preach  the  gospel."     (Minutes,  1862,  p.  19.) 

Again,  "We  are  constrained,  however,  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
churches  to  the  fact  mentioned  by  some  of  the  Presbyteries,  that  the 
absorbing  interest  of  the  struggle  in  which  we  are  contending  for  every 
thing  dear  to  men,"  etc.     (Minutes,  pp.  21,  22.) 

3.  From  the  Pastoral  Letter  of  1862  : 

"  We  have  been  called  on  to  witness  the  desolation  of  the  land,  and 
to  mom'n  over  the  w^astes  of  Ziou,  created  by  the  havoc  of  war:  and 
from  all  our  churches  we  hear  the  report  that  the  ranks  of  the  armies  of 
our  national  independence  are  crowded  with  the  noblest  of  our  breth- 
ren and  with  the  choicest  of  our  youth,  who  have  rushed  to  the  rescue 
of  the  Republic,  driven  by  the  impulses  of  patriotism,  and  in  obedience 
to  the  calls  of  God  and  our  country." 

"  But  our  hearts  turn  with  especial  soHcitude  toward  the  noble  youth 
of  our  congregations  w'ho  have  gone  from  our  midst  to  this  bloody  con- 
test for  national  life  and  independence." 

"We  honor  you  for  your  self-denial  and  patriotic  zeal;  we  would 
love  to  see  you  become  the  honored  instruments  in  God's  hands  in  lead- 
ing sinners  to  the  Saviour." 

"In  you  are  wrapped  all  the  hopes  of  our  Church  and  country. 
With  the  solution  of  the  (juestion.  What  are  you  to  become  ?  will  be  de- 
termined the  problem  of  our  national  glory  or  shame,  and  that  of  the 
success  and  usefulness  of  the  Church  in  our  beloved  land.     We  tremble 


388  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

for  you  as  we  see  you  drawn  away  by  the  duties  of  patriotism  from 
the  constant  use  of  the  means  of  grace  and  the  Divine  influences  of 
the  sanctuary.  We  sympathize  with  you  as  you  endure  fatigue  and 
sickness  in  camp,  as  you  engag'e  in  the  hfe  struggle  on  the  sanguinary 
field,  and  as  you  consecrate  everything  dear  on  earth  on  the  altar  of 
patriotic  dut3^" 

4.  From  the  Narrative  of  1863  : 

"  We  cannot  but  feel  that  we  are  called,  in  the  providence  of  God,  to 
address  the  churches  in  these  Confederate  States  imder  circumstances 
of  painful  interest.  During  the  period  which  has  elapsed  since  the 
last  annual  session  of  this  body,  our  unhapj^y  country  has  been  the 
theatre  of  a  war  unexampled,  perhaps,  in  the  scope  of  its  operation,  of 
the  vast  numbers  engaged,  and  in  the  pitiless  barbarity  with  which  it 
has  been  conducted  on  the  part  of  our  invaders.  The  blood  of  our 
brethren,  oui'  fathers,  and  our  children,  unjustly  and  imtimely  slain, 
cries  to  heaven.  A  considerable  portion  of  om*  territory  is  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  enemy,  and  all  commmiication  with  the  chiu'ches  em- 
braced in  those  districts  must  for  the  time  be  suspended.  We  look 
forward,  however,  with  cheerful  confidence  to  a  renewal  of  our  relations 
to  those  chm'ches,  when,  by  the  favor  of  our  God,  the  enemy  shall  have 
been  expelled.  We  commend  these  afflicted  brethren  to  your  sympa- 
thies and  prayers.  It  is  to  us  matter  of  devout  gratitude  to  Almighty 
God,  that  he  has  so  often  and  so  signaU}'  baffled  the  efforts  of  our  ene- 
mies to  effect  our  subjugation,  and  that  he  has  vouchsafed  to  oui* 
arms  victories  so  repeated  and  so  wonderful."  (Narrative  of  1863,  p. 
155.) 

5.  From  the  Narrative  of  1864 : 

"  One  and  another  message  has  come  to  us  from  the  field  of  deadly 
strife,  filUng  our  minds  with  the  deepest  solicitude,  urging  us  to  more 
earnest  and  united  prayer,  and  inspiring  us  with  profound  gratitude  to 
God  for  the  repeated  repulses  of  our  insolent  and  cruel  foe." 

"  Om-  enemies  have  evinced  a  settled  determination  to  prosecute 
their  enterj)rises  of  guilt  and  horror  in  the  face  of  all  the  disastrous 
consequences  which  must  ensue  from  this  insane  attempt  to  subjugate 
and  destroy  us." 

"  The  wonderful  work  of  grace  in  our  armies  presents  the  strongest 
encoui'agement  to  the  praying  people  at  home,  and  has  placed  the  seal 
of  the  Divine  approbation  upon  our  righteous  cause." 

"  The  reports  of  all  the  Presbyteries  indicate  an  increasing  interest 
in  the  sjDiritual  welfare  of  ovir  colored  population.  The  long-continued 
agitations  of  our  adversaries  have  wrought  within  us  a  deeper  conviction 
of  the  Divine  appointment  of  domestic  servitude,  and  have  led  to  a 
clearer  comprehension  of  the  duties  we  owe  to  the  African  race.  We 
hesitate  not  to  affii-m  that  it  is  the  peculiar  mission  of  the  Southern 
Chm'ch  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slavery,  and  to  make  it  a  blessing 
both  to  master  and  slave.  We  could  not,  if  we  would,  yield  up  these 
four  millions  of  immortal  beings  to  the  dictates  of  fanaticism  and  to  the 
menaces  of  military  power.  We  distinctly  recognize  the  inscrutable 
providence  which  brought  this  benighted  people  into  our  midst,  and  we 
shah  feel  that  we  have  not  discharged  om-  solemn  trust  until  we  have 
used  every  effort  to  bring  them  under  the  saving  influences  of  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ."     (Narrative  of  1864,  p.  293.) 


Sec.  622.]         Kel.^tions  of  the  Church  with  Othek  Bodies.  389 

Comments. 

These  extracts  under  the  second  general  head  contain  not  merely 
specimens,  but  in  fact  nearly  everything  to  be  found  in  the  records  of 
our  Assembly  during  this  whole  period  which  is  pertinent  to  the  matter 
in  hand.  A  fair  estimate  of  theii*  import,  and  how  far  they  are  con- 
sistent with  the  princij^les  embodied  in  the  extracts  preceding  them,  is 
a  vital  consideration. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  doctrine  announced  and  maintained  by  the 
Assembly,  on  the  relation  of  the  Church  to  the  state,  is  not,  as  has 
been  often  charged,  the  unscriptui'al  and  impracticable  idea  that  the 
Chm'ch  and  Christian  people,  as  such,  have  no  duties  to  perform 
toward  the  state.  True,  the  Assembly  denies  the  right  of  chiu'ch 
courts  to  interfere  \\ith  the  domam  of  Cicsar,  by  legislating  on  purely 
pohtical  questions;  but  at  the  same  time  it  has  the  right  to  enjoin 
those  duties  which  the  citizen  confessedly  owes  to  the  commonwealth. 
"The  relation  of  the  Church  of  Christ  to  the  state,"  says  the  Assembly 
of  1865,  "is  not  one  cle  jure,  but  dc  facto.  As  right  and  good,  or 
wrong  and  wicked,  they  rise  and  fall  by  the  agency  or  permission  of 
God's  providence.  In  either  case  the  attitude  of  the  Chvu'ch  towards 
them  is  essentially  the  same.  As  long  as  they  stand  and  are  ac- 
knowledged, obedience,"  (that  is,  submission  and  obedience  in  aU 
things  not  sinful,)  "is  to  be  enjoined  as  a  duty:  factious  resistance 
is  to  be  condemned  as  a  sin."  "The  only  serious  danger  of  collision 
between  the  Church  and  the  state,"  says  the  Assembly  of  1866, 
"is  where  moral  duty  is  conditioned  on  a  pohtical  question.  Under 
the  pretext  of  inculcating  moral  duty,  the  Church  may  usurp  the 
power  to  determine  the  tjuestion  which  conditions  it :  and  that  is  pre- 
cisely what  she  is  debarred  from  doing.  The  condition  must  be 
given.  She  must  accept  it  from  the  state,  and  then  her  own  coiu'se  is 
clear.  If  Ca-sar  is  your  master,  then  pay  tribute  to  him ;  but  whether 
tlie  '  if '  holds  :  whether  C;esar  is  your  master  or  not :  whether  he  ever 
had  any  just  authority  :  whether  he  now  retains  it,  or  has  forfeited  it; 
these  are  points  which  the  Church  has  no  commission  to  adjudicate." 

The  cpiestion  brijught  before  our  church  members,  in  their  capacity 
as  citizens,  in  1861,  did  not  turn  upon  any  principle  of  duty  to  Christ, 
but  upon  historical  and  political  facts.  The  question  was  not  at  all  one 
between  lawlessness  and  subordination,  between  rebeUion  or  obedience 
to  "the  powers  that  be.  '  No  Southern  church,  or  member  of  it,  ever 
thought  of  establishing  society  upon  the  idea  of  lawlessness  and  insub- 
ordination to  constituted  human  authority.  The  sole  question  was  be- 
tween rival  authorities,  which  had  come,  in  a  very  peculiar  and  compli- 
cated form  of  government,  into  comi)etition — the  older  and  jnirer 
state  authority,  and  the  newer  and  derived  Federal  authority.  "NVhich 
was  right,  the  Church,  as  an  organized  body,  had  no  right  to  decide :  it 
was  one  belonging  to  the  citizen  in  his  civil  and  political  relations. 
When  a  body  politic  had  become  established,  it  was  to  be  recognized  by 
the  Church  as  the  power-bearing  rule. 

Now,  in  18()1,  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  the  Assembly  foimd  its 
members  placed  under  the  civil  authority  of  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment, and  that  of  the  respective  States  which  constituted  it.  There  are 
probably  few  instancies  in  the  histt)ry  of  such  political  movements  where 
there  was  so  much  unanimity — far  more,  it  is  believed,  in  proportion  to 
the  population,  than  during  the  Kevolution  of  1776.     The  governments. 


390  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

State  aud  Confederate,  were  established  and  generally  acknowledged 
Avithin  their  respective  bounds.  The  United  States  Government  was 
known  to  us  only  as  one  with  which  the  Confederate  Government  was 
at  war,  and  by  which  it  was  menaced  by  land  and  by  sea.  The  principle 
here  involved  has  been  repeatedly  sanctioned  by  the  Supreme  Covu't  of 
the  United  States. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  in  accordance  with  the  above  princi- 
ples, ovu"  Assembly  recognized  "  the  powers  that  be,"  and  which  are  "  or- 
dained of  God  over  us,"  to  be  those  of  the  government  of  the  Confed- 
erate States,  and  of  the  respective  States  confederated  in  it.  Hence  it 
was  simj)ly  carrying  out  its  own  principles,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  Word 
of  God,  when  it  taught  the  citizen  and  the  soldier  to  discharge  towards 
these  high  civil  authorities  the  duties  which  the  Scriptures  enjoin  to- 
wards the  "powers  that  be,"  and  when  it  made  intercession  "for  all  that 
are  in  authority." 

So  far  as  any  action  of  that  kind  goes,  and  to  that  extent,  there  is 
nothing  that  offends  against  the  principles  set  forth  in  our  formal  de- 
clarations. Nor  is  there  in  it,  thus  limited,  anything  which  contravenes 
the  doctrines  of  the  Kentucky  and  Missoiui  Synods,  in  their  contest  for 
the  same  principles  we  have  maintained,  as  they  have  given  their  views 
to  the  world  in  their  "  Declaration  and  Testimony,"  or  as  they  are  pre- 
sented in  the  extracts  given  from  the  Letter  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
to  our  Assembly  of  1867. 

In  the  Narrative  of  1862,  there  is  a  single  clause  which  demands  a 
criticism.  The  situation  of  the  Southern  country  was  known  to  be  one 
of  extreme  peril.  The  war,  if  successful  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States,  involved  not  only  the  destruction  of  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment, but  the  forfeiture  of  the  political  rights  of  its  citizens,  the  over- 
throw of  the  existing  domestic  institutions,  the  loss  of  property,  and 
other  evils  universally  dreaded.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  was 
right  and  proper  for  our  Assembly  to  utter  a  strong  declaration  of  sym- 
pathy for  our  people — the  members  of  our  own  congregations — who,  as 
citizens,  were  engaged  in  an  effort  to  avert  these  calamities,  and  to  give 
a  decided  expression  of  commendation  to  those  who  were  performing 
these  acts  of  what  they  esteemed  a  patriotic  duty.  It  was  substan- 
tially saying  to  them:  "As  this  is  to  you  not  only  a  government  de 
facto,  but  also  one  of  your  own  choice,  we  commend  you  for  acting 
faithfully  and  fuUy  according  to  these  convictions,  and  foUow  you  with 
our  prayers."  It  would  have  been  just  as  proper  for  the  Northern  As- 
sembly to  utter  the  same  sentiments  in  reference  to  members  of  their 
own  churches  who  had  entered  the  Federal  army ;  and  we  do  not  deny 
that  it  was  their  right  so  to  do.  But  when  our  Assembly  intimates  or 
imphes  an  opinion  as  to  whether  the  war  referred  to  was  justly  or  un- 
justly waged,  or  a  decision  as  to  which  was,  in  its  origin  and  principle, 
the  government  to  which  the  citizens  owed  obedience,  it  transcends  the 
limits  of  its  authority.  It  no  longer  bases  its  commendation  upon  what 
is  ds  facto  as  to  the  government,  or  upon  the  inherent  right  which  the 
citizen  had  in  defending  the  government  of  his  choice,  but  it  assumes 
to  decide  upon  the  righteousness  of  the  war.  A  court  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  has  no  commission  to  do  this.  It  is,  in  principle,  the  error 
we  have  condemned  in  the  Northern  Assembly  of  1861,  and  those  of 
other  years.  We  say  in  the  Addi-ess  oi  1861 :  "  A  political  theory  was," 
(not  formally,  but)  "to  all  intents  and  juu-poses,  propounded,  which 


Sec.  622.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  391 

made  secession  a  ci'ime,  the  seceding  States  rebellious,  and  the  citizens 
who  obeyed  them  traitors.  We  say  nothing  here  as  to  the  righteous- 
ness or  imrighteousness  of  these  decrees.  "What  we  maintain  is  that, 
whether  light  or  Avrong,  the  Chiu'ch  had  no  right  to  make  them ;  she 
transcended  her  sphere,  and  usui-jDed  the  authority  of  the  state."  To 
the  same  import  is  the  letter  of  the  Kentucky  Synod  already  referred  to. 

There  is,  however,  this  wide  difference  between  the  action  of  the  two 
Assembhes :  the  Northern  not  only  decided  a  purely  political  question 
for  its  own  members  residing  within  these  States  and  Territories,  con- 
fessedly subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  but  it  also  undertook  to  decide  that  great  question  for  the  mem- 
bers of  om*  churches  residing  mider  the  de  facto  government  of  the 
Confederate  States,  and  one  organized  under  forms  of  much  regularity 
and  Avith  much  unanimity ;  and  imdertook  also  to  make  comphance  a 
condition  of  church  membership,  and  to  visit  with  discipline  those  who 
disobeyed  this  act  of  usurpation.  The  Southern  Assembly  was  never 
guilty  of  tliis  transgression,  though  it  may  have  erred  in  the  particular 
mentioned. 

Another  alleged  error  is  to  be  remarked  in  several  forms  of  expres- 
sion found  in  the  extracts  which  have  been  recited:  such  as  "the  vmr 
in  which  ve  are  now  engaged;"  "the  absorbing  interest  of  the  stnifj- 
gle  in  which  v;e  are  contending  for  ever^-thing  dear  to  man;"  "the 
ai'mies  of  our  national  independence;"  "the  pitiless  barbarity  with 
which  it"  (the  war)  "has  been  conducted  on  the  part  of  our  invaders;" 
"it  is  to  us  matter  of  devout  gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  that  he  has  so 
often  and  so  signally  baffled  the  efforts  of  our  enemies  to  effect  otcr  sub- 
jugation, and  that  he  has  vouchsafed  to  our  arms  victories  so  repeated 
and  wonderful ;"  "  profound  gratitude  to  God  for  the  repeated  repulses 
of  our  insolent  and  cruel  foe;"  "this  insane  attemjDt  to  subjugate  and 
destroij  vs." 

If  these  expressions  are  to  be  taken  in  their  literal  sense,  it  should 
be  candidly  admitted  that  they  are  entirely  out  of  place  in  a  court  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  are,  therefore,  to  be  regretted  and  disap- 
proved. They  seem  to  arise  from  a  confusion  of  thought,  or  a  tempo- 
rary forgetf Illness :  at  any  rate,  there  is  a  failure  to  discriminate  be- 
tween A^hat  may  be  properly  uttered  in  the  character  of  a  citizen,  and 
what  may  not  be  uttered  by  an  ecclesiastical  body. 

At  the  same  time,  Avith  this  admission  it  may  be  rightly  insisted, 
that  the  objection  rests  to  a  large  extent  upon  a  hypercriticism ;  for 
it  is  evident  that  the  word  "  otcr  "  is  here  used  inadvertently,  and  in  a 
very  general  sense,  similar  to  the  phrase  "our  armj',"  or  "our  coun- 
try," so  often  heard  in  all  ecclesiastical  assembhes. 

Concerning  Slaa-ery. 
In  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  for  1864,  two  expressions 
concerning  slavery  are  found  Avhich  have  given  rise  to  much  criticism. 
It  is  proper  to  state,  as  a  preliminary  remark,  that  these  Narratives  in 
general  are  not  closely  scrutinized  Avhen  presented  in  the  General  As- 
sembly, inasmuch  as  they  are  not  expected  to  introduce  difficult  or  de- 
batable points.  And  in  regard  to  the  Narrative  for  that  year,  it  is  a 
well-known  fact  that  it  was  read  on  the  very  eve  of  the  final  adjourn- 
ment of  the  body,  at  a  time  Avhen  the  most  exciting  reports  of  battles 
occurring  or  impending  had  just  reached  the  place,  (Charlotte,  North 


392  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Carolina,)  and  when  many  members,  apprehensive  of  being  cut  off  by 
military  operations  from  a  return  home,  were  impatiently  hurrying 
away.  If,  therefore,  some  things  niaj  be  fovmd  in  this  paper  less  care- 
fully expressed  than  could  be  desired,  the  statement  just  presented 
may  accoimt  for  the  fact  that  attention  was  not  dra\NTi  to  them.  But 
taking  them  as  they  are,  there  are  certain  remarks  to  be  offered,  which 
are  due  to  a  fail'  imderstanding.     We  notice — 

I.  The  expression  that  "domestic  servitude  is  of  Divine  appoint- 
ment." 

Slavery  has  existed  under  various  forms,  as  in  the  villanage  of  Eng- 
land, the  serfdom  of  Russia,  and  the  peonage  of  Mexico.  Domestic 
servitude  is  an  instance  in  which  the  order  of  things  constituting 
slavery  is  made  a  part  of  the  family  relation.  The  head  of  the  family 
is  the  master,  and  the  slave  is  subject,  in  the  use  of  his  time  and  labor, 
to  the  control  of  the  master,  as  are  other  members  of  the  family. 
Properly  explained,  it  may  be  rightly  affirmed  that  domestic  servitude 
is  of  Divine  appointment — 

1.  Not  precisely  in  the  sense  that  civil  government,  as  opposed  to 
anarchy,  is  of  Divine  appointment. 

2.  Nor  precisely  in  the  sense  that  marriage  is  the  Divinely  appointed 
law  of  society,  as  opposed  to  concubinage,  polygamy,  and  general  licen- 
tiousness. Civil  govei'nment  under  some  form,  and  marriage  under 
the  prescribed  form,  are  absolutely  necessary  to  the  social  state,  and 
are,  therefore,  obhgatory  upon  all  conditions  of  society. 

3.  The  essential  principle  of  slavery  is  submission  or  svibjection  to 
control  by  the  will  of  another.  This  is  an  essential  element  in  every 
form  of  civil  government  also,  and  in  the  family  relation  itself. 

4.  The  application  of  this  principle  in  the  form  of  "  domestic  servi- 
tude "  is  right  or  wrong  according  to  circumstances.  It  is  not  an  in- 
stitution essential  to  the  social  state,  and,  therefore,  is  not  of  universal 
obligation.  But  in  certain  conditions  of  society  it  has  been  expressly 
recognized  by  God,  permitted,  and  appointed.  (See  Ex.  xx.  10,  17 ; 
Ex.  xxi.  7;  Lev.  xxv.  44-46;  Matt.  v.  17 ;  1  Tim.  vi.  1-4.)  When  es- 
tablished in  such  conditions  of  society  as  render  it  proper,  it  becomes 
a  right  arrangement  of  the  civil  government. 

5.  If  it  is  a  relation  justifiable  and  lawful  in  the  sight  of  God,  it 
must  be  in  a  certain  sense  of  Divine  appointment,  since  whatever  is 
thus  lawful  implies  the  sanction  of  the  Lawgiver.  And  the  existence 
of  wrong  laws  and  usages  connected  with  it  no  more  disproves  the  law- 
fulness of  the  relation  itself  than  such  things  disprove  the  lawfulness 
of  marriage  or  of  civil  government. 

Therefore,  b}^  declaring  the  institution  of  slavery  to  be  "of  Divine 
appointment,"  our  Assembly  must  not  be  understood  as  expressing  the 
opinion  that  it  was  ordained  of  God  as  a  positively  Divine  and  obliga- 
tory  institute  of  society  for  all  communities,  but  simply  that,  as  it  was 
recognized  and  enforced  by  the  law  of  the  Confederate  States,  and  of 
the  particular  States  embraced  in  that  confederation,  and  was  a  relation 
existing  and  prevailing  throughout  its  boundaries,  it  was,  in  the  sense 
of  all  established  ci^'il  relations,  a  matter  of  Divine  appointment  for  the 
time  being  in  the  midst  of  the  people  of  those  States. 

6.  The  dogma  which  denies  the  lawfulness  of  this  relation  under  any 
circumstances;  wliich  condemns  it  as  always  contrary  to  the  Divine 
will;    which  asserts  its  inherent  sinfulness,   is  contradicted   by  the 


Sec.  622.]  Relations  of  the  Church  amth  Other  Bodies.  393 

plainest  facts  and  teachings  of  the  Old  Testament  and  the  New ;  is  a 
doctrine  imkno-wn  to  the  Church  until  recent  times ;  is  a  pernicious 
heresy,  embracing-  a  principle  not  onl}'  infidel  and  fanatical,  but  sub- 
versive of  every  relation  of  life  and  eveiy  civil  government  upon  earth. 

II.  It  is  affirmed  that  it  was  the  peculiar  mission  of  the  "  Southern 
Church  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slavery." 

Concerning  this,  we  remark — 

1.  That  the  same  form  of  expression  is  to  be  found  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  General  Assembly  (New  School)  of  1865.  In  a  carefuU^'-con- 
sidered  paper  on  "  the  state  of  the  country,"  that  Assembly  says : 

"God  has  taught  us,  in  this  war,  that  the  Church  must  conserve  the 
state  l)y  instructing  the  people  in  the  great  principles  of  justice,  and 
inspiring  them  to  practice  the  same." 

No  exception  has  been  taken  to  this  expression,  which  was  uttered 
the  year  after  it  was  used  by  our  Assembly.  In  the  sense  intended, 
the  sentiment  is  entirely  proper.  But  if  any  one  will  define  the  sense 
in  which  it  is  proper  for  the  Church  to  "  conserve  the  state,"  in  the 
same  sense  it  would  be  also  proper  for  it  to  "  conserve  the  institution 
of  slaver}-."  It  certainly  is  not  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  conserve  the 
state  in  the  sense  of  dictating  what  form  of  civil  government  it  shall 
establish,  how  long  it  shall  continue,  or  for  what  causes  it  should  be 
changed.  Its  duty  is  limited  to  condemning  at  all  times  factious  re- 
sistance to  established  civil  authority,  to  inculcating  obedience  while  it 
remains,  and  those  virtues  by  which  it  may  be  made,  as  far  as  possible, 
a  blessing  to  society.  The  very  same  applies  to  slavery ;  and  whoever 
will  read  in  its  connection  the  expression  used  by  our  Assembly  must 
see  that  such  is  the  sense  there  intended  by  that  word,  namely,  by  the 
ministration  of  that  gospel  which  is  entrusted  to  the  Church,  to  secure 
from  this  relation  and  arrangement,  as  it  existed,  the  greatest  practi- 
cable amount  of  good  for  all  classes  of  society-,  and  thus  "  make  it  a 
blessing  both  to  master  and  slave."  This,  we  know,  was  the  sense  in- 
tended by  the  writer  of  the  narrative,  now  settled  as  an  acceptable 
minister  in  connection  with  the  Northern  Assembly,  and  we  have  no 
doubt  it  was  the  sense  in  which  the  Assembly  adopted  it. 

2.  It  has  been  widely  proclaimed  that  our  Assembly  meant,  by  the 
word  "  conserve,"  to  assert  that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  per- 
petuate the  institution  of  slavery.     On  this  point  it  may  be  remai'ked — 

(a)  That  no  such  intended  meaning  is  to  be  gathered  from  the  con- 
text. 

(b)  That  such  an  interpretation  of  the  Assembly's  meaning  is  nega- 
tived by  the  explicit  and  carefully-considered  statement  of  our  Chm-ch 
on  this  very  point  at  its  first  organization,  in  1861,  where  it  declares 
concerning  slavery :  "  The  policy  of  its  existence  or  non-existence  is  a 
questicm  which  exclusively  belongs  to  the  state.  AV'e  have  no  right  to 
enjoin  it  as  a  duty,  or  condemn  it  as  a  sin."  It  is  a  maxim  of  law  and 
common  sense,  that  all  documents  are  to  be  construed  by  a  comparison 
of  one  part  Avith  another;  what  is  obscure  is  to  b^  explained  by  what 
is  explicit. 

(c)  Even  those  who  have  raised  a  clamor  against  us  do  not  them- 
selves seem  to  be  satisfied  that  the  word  "  conserve"  necessarily  means 
to  perpetuate.  This  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  in  the  Minutes  of 
their  General  Assembly,  charging  us  with  "grievous  heresy,"  and  with 
"  blasphemy,"  they  repeatedly  misquote,  and  therefore  misrepresent 


394  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

us.  The  word  perpetuate  is  never  used  by  oiu*  Assembly,  but  is  to  be 
found  in  the  interpolation  of  its  accusers!  (See  Minutes  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  (North)  for  1865,  p.  560,  etc.) 

{d)  Finally,  conceding,  as  we  do,  that  the  word  "conserve"  in  this 
connection  is  ambiguous,  ovir  Assembly,  in  1865,  did  aU  that  could  be 
reasonably  expected  in  the  premises  to  disengage  itself  from  an  am- 
biguous or  inapjiropriate  expression.  In  the  sense  already  explained, 
and  the  one  intended,  it  conveyed  a  sentiment  proper  to  be  held  by 
any  Church  of  Christ.  Bvit  it  had  been  widely  represented  as  convey- 
ing a  meaning  not  intended,  and  which  neither  that  Assembly  nor  our 
Church  ever  held.  It  was  therefore  jjroper  it  should  be  reheved  from 
the  responsibility  of  such  an  interpretation.  Formally  to  expunge  or 
repudiate  the  record  would  have  been  an  act  uncalled  for,  if  not  un- 
seemly. All  that  was  necessary  or  proper  was  to  declare  that  the  Ad- 
di-ess  of  1861  "  contains  the  only  full,  unambiguous,  deliberate,  and 
authoritative  exposition  of  our  Aiews  in  regard  to  this  matter."  (See 
Pastoral  Letter.)  The  design  of  introducing  that  sentence  was  ex- 
pressly stated  in  the  Assembly  of  1865,  and  it  was  adoj)ted  for  the 
special  purpose  ofdisavoiring  an  interpretation  which  vjas  inconsistent 
with  the  deliberately  e^t'pressed  vieics  of  our  Church. 

In  view  of  what  has  been  presented,  and  of  the  whole  interests  in- 
volved, it  is  suitable  to  remark : 

1.  That  under  the  extraordinary  circumstances,  and  at  a  time  when 
the  passions  of  men  were  so  deeply  moved,  it  is  remarkable,  and  a  mat- 
ter for  grateful  recollection,  that  so  little  is  to  be  found  upon  otu'  re- 
cords which  now  calls  for  regret  or  animadversion. 

2.  That  whenever  the  subject  of  the  character  of  the  Chiu'ch,  as  be- 
ing non-secular  and  non-political,  is  formally  considered,  the  true  doc- 
trine, as  regarded  by  us,  is  clearly  and  emphatically  announced.  Where 
there  are  departures  from  this,  they  are,  for  the  most  part  at  least,  in- 
cidental, and  doubtless  from  inadvertence. 

3.  That  while,  in  point  of  fairness,  the  maxim  that  documents  are  to 
be  construed  by  a  comparison  of  one  part  with  another,  what  is  obscure 
being  explained  by  what  is  explicit,  should  relieve  the  declarations  by 
our  Assemblies  from  embarrassment  and  doulit,  yet,  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  there  are  some  expressions  in  our  records  which,  upon  their  face, 
are  either  ambiguous,  or,  in  their  most  natural  construction,  are  incon- 
sistent with  other  statements  which  are  distinct  and  explicit,  it  best  com- 
ports with  the  whole  circumstances  of  the  case,  and  with  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  a  witness  for  the  truth,  to  make 
at  this  time  a  disavowal  of  these  things  as  being  any  part  of  the  teach- 
ing and  testimony  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 

Your  committee  therefore  i-ecommend  the  following  paper  for  adop- 
tion by  this  General  Assembly  as  a  summary  of  the  whole : 

P.  233.  The  General  Assembly,  having  received  the  report  of  the 
committee  above  mentioned,  and  having  duly  considered  the  same, 
deems  it  suitable,  in  view  of  all  the  circumstances  and  all  the  interests 
involved,  to  make  the  following  declaration : 

1.  Touching  the  nature  and  functions  of  the  Christian  Church,  we 
solemnly  reaffirm  the  explicit  and  formal  statement  set  forth  at  the 
time  of  the  organization  of  our  General  Assembly,  in  1861,  in  an  "  Ad- 
dress to  all  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth."  This 
document  clearly  and  forcibly  declares  our  position  concerning  the 


Sec.  622.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  395 

character  of  the  Church  as  a  spiritual  body,  and  therefore  "nou-secular 
and  non-pohtical.  ' 

2.  Inasmuch  as  some  incidental  expressions,  uttered  in  times  of 
great  public  excitement,  are  found  upon  our  records,  and  have  been 
pointed  out  in  the  report  of  the  committee  aforesaid,  which  seem  to  be 
ambiguous,  or  inconsistent  Avith  the  above  declarations,  and  others  of 
like  import,  this  Assembly  does  hereby  disavow  them  wherever  found, 
and  does  not  recognize  such  as  forming  any  part  of  the  well-considered, 
authoritative  teaching  or  testimony  of  our  Church. 

3.  In  regard  to  a  statement  found  in  the  Narrative  of  1864,  and 
which  is  in  the  following  Avords,  viz. : 

"The  reports  of  all  the  Presbyteries  indicate  an  increasing  interest 
in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  our  colored  population.  The  long  continued 
agitations  of  our  adversaries  have  Avrought  within  us  a  deeper  convic- 
tion of  the  Divine  appointment  of  domestic  servitude,  and  have  led  to 
a  clearer  comprehension  of  the  duties  we  owe  to  the  African  race. 
We  hesitate  not  to  affirm  that  it  is  the  jieculiar  mission  of  the  Southern 
Church  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slaveiy,  and  make  it  a  blessing 
both  to  master  and  slave.  We  could  not,  if  we  would,  yield  up  these 
four  millions  of  immortal  beings  to  the  dictates  of  fanaticism  and  the 
menaces  of  military  power.  \\'e  distinctly  recognize  the  inscrutable 
providence  which  brought  this  benighted  people  into  our  midst,  and 
we  shall  feel  that  we  have  not  discharged  our  solemn  trust  until  we 
have  used  eveiy  effort  to  bring  them  under  the  saving  influences  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ, "'^ — Ave  judge  it  proj^er  to  say : 

"  1.  By  declaring  the  institution  of  slavery  to  be  of  '  Divine  appoint- 
ment,' the  Assembly  must  not  be  understood  as  expressing  the  opinion 
that  it  Avas  ordained  of  God  as  a  positively  divine  and  obligatory  insti- 
tute of  society  for  all  communities ;  but  simply  that,  as  it  was  recog- 
nized and  enforced  by  the  laAv  of  the  Ccmfederate  States,  and  Avas  an 
existing  relation  prevailing  throughout  its  boundaries,  it  was,  in  the 
sense  of  all  established  ciA'il  relations,  a  matter  of  Divine  appointment, 
for  the  time  being,  in  the  midst  of  the  people  of  those  States. 

"  2.  For  a  full  explanation  of  the  expression  that  it  Avas  '  the  peculiar 
mission  of  the  Southern  Church  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slaver}',' 
and  especially  as  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which  it  vsas  in- 
advertently admitted  into  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  in 
1864,  Ave  [refer  to  the  full  report  now-  made  to  this  Assembly.  From 
all  that  is  known  to  us  as  to  the  meaning  intended  by  the  Assembly 
Avhich  adopted  that  paper,  as  well  as  from  the  context  itself,  it  is  mani- 
fest that  its  true  intent  Avas,  not  to  assert  that  it  Avas  the  duty  of  the 
Church  to  'conserve  the  institution  of  slavery'  in  the  sense  of  'perpe- 
tiKitiiig '  it,  (a  Avord  never  once  used  by  our  Assembly  in  this  connec- 
tion, but  intei'iwlated  by  the  Norther ji  AMe/iihli/  (see  Minutes  of  1866),) 
but,  by  the  ministration  of  that  gospel  Avhich  is  entrusted  to  the  Church, 
to  secure  from  this  relaticm  and  arrangement,  as  it  existed,  the  great- 
est ])racticable  amount  of  good  for  all  classes  of  society,  and  thus  '  make 
it  a  hlessiiifi  both,  to  muster  and  slave.' 

"  This  Aiew  is  further  contirmed  by  the  consideration  that  it  brings 
this  expression,  however  ambiguous,  or  even  unsuitable  in  its  common 
acceptation,  into  harmony  Avith  the  formal  and  carefully-prepared  de- 
claration of  our  Church  on  this  very  point  in  1861 :  '  The  polic}^  of  its 
existence  or  non-existence  is  a  question  Avhich  belongs  exclusively  to 


396  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VIL 

the  state.  We  have  no  right  to  enjoin  it  as  a  duty,  or  condemn  it  as  a 
sin ' — and  more  to  the  same  purport. 

"In  our  General  Assembly  of  1865,  it  was  declared  that  the  Addi-ess 
of  1861,  '  contains  the  onl}'  full,  unambiguous,  dehberate,  and  authori- 
tative exposition  of  our  views  in  regard  to  this  matter;'  and  this  was 
introduced  for  the  express  purpose  of  disavowing  an  interpretation  and 
meaning  attached  to  the  expressions  used  in  1864  which  were  never  in- 
tended. 

"The  relation  of  the  Chi'istian  Chiu-ch  to  the  institution  of  slavery  is 
clearly  set  forth  in  the  Address  already  referred  to.  It  is  the  doctrine 
presented  in  the  Holy  Scriptiu'es,  and  in  the  best  testimony  of  Christian 
history.  By  this  doctiine  we  abide,  as  the  view  Avhich  has  always  pre- 
vailed in  our  Church,  and  it  is  now  expressly  re-affirmed  for  the  satis- 
faction of  all  whom  it  may  concern." 

623.  0)1  the  conqyetcncy  of  ilie  Church  to  seek  the  intervention  of  the 

civil  povers. 

1883,  p.  24.  In  reply  to  an  overture  from  Abingdon  Presbytery 
touching  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  the  foUomng  was  adopted : 

While  recognizing  the  right  of  members  of  the  Church,  as  citizens, 
to  bring  the  matter  of  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  to  the  notice  ,of 
the  civil  government,  by  petition  or  otherwise,  yet  it  is  the  judgment 
of  the  Assembly  that  it  is  not  competent  for  the  Church,  in  its  organic 
capacity,  to  seek  the  intervention  of  the  civil  powers  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  any  of  the  ends  before  it,  as  a  witness  for  the  truth  of 
God.  The  Assembly  wcnild  furthermore  deprecate  all  action  which 
might  be  construed  as  committing  the  Church  to  any  aUiance  with  as- 
sociations or  societies  outside  of  its  pale  for  the  accomplishment  of 
this,  or  any  other  object,  however  worthy  in  itself. 

1884,  p.  209.  Overture  of  the  Presbyteiy  of  St.  Johns,  asking  this 
Assembly  to  reverse  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and 
Florida  in  excepting  to  its  minutes,  as  found  on  page  124,  to-wit :  "Re- 
solved, That  all  our  sessions  be  requested  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
executors  of  the  law  and  the  grand  juries  of  the  courts  to  the  statutes 
enacted  by  the  Legislature  touching  the  Sabbath :  that  they  take  such 
measures  as  wisdom  and  prudence  suggest  to  have  the  oifenders  brought 
to  justice,  and  the  laws  of  God  and  the  state  vindicated." 

Reply :  Resolved,  That  the  action  of  Synod  be  sustained,  according 
to  the  deliverance  of  the  Assembly  of  1883,  touching  the  same  matter, 
as  found  on  pages  24  and  25  of  the  Minutes. 

624.  Assernhly  declines  to  recommend  "  The   S(mthern   Presbyterian 

Revieip/' 

1867,  p.  148.  Overture  from  the  Eev.  B.  Gildersleeve  and  others, 
proposing  that  the  Assembly  take  appropriate  action  recommending 
7'he  Southern  Presbyterian  Revieiv  to  the  confidence  and  patronage  of 
our  Church.     The  comniittee  report  the  following  minute: 

Resolved,  That  while  this  Assembly,  as  ministers  and  elders,  might 
cordially  adopt  the  paper  presented,  yet,  as  an  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Churc^h  in  its  ecclesiastical  character,  it  is  not  competent  for  us 
to  enact  anything  concerning  other  matters  than  those  which  are  strictly 
ecclesiastical.     Adopted. 


Sec.  625.]        Eei.ations  of  the  Cht'bch  with  Other  Bodies.  897 

625.  Stonewall  Jackson. 

1863,  p.  126.  It  having  become  known  to  the  Assembly  that  Gen- 
eral T.  J.  Jackson  had  died  on  the  preceding  day,  the  order  of  the  day 
gave  place  to  a  motion  made  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Palmer,  to  the  effect  that 
a  committee  of  live  be  appointed  to  bring  in  a  minute  expressive  of  the 
sentiments  of  this  body  with  reference  to  this  great  public  calamity. 
Pending  this  motion,  addresses  were  made  by  the  mover,  by  the  Rev. 
John  Miller,  and  by  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  setting  forth  the  life  and 
character  of  the  subject  of  this  action,  and  the  grief  felt  by  the  Assem- 
bly at  his  death.  The  moderator  appointed  upon  this  committee  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  Rev.  John  Miller,  Rev.  D.  t).  Sanderson,  Col.  J.  T. 
L.  Preston,  and  Col.  A.  V.  Brumby. 

P.  162.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  re- 
port a  minute  upon  the  death  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson,  presented  the 
following,  which  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  members  rising  in 
silence  in  their  places  : 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  minute  upon  the  death  of  Gen- 
eral Thomas  J.  Jackson  respectfully  submit  the  follomng : 

The  despatches  announcing  the  severe  illness  of  this  beloved  sei'vant 
of  God,  and  invoking  the  prayers  of  this  Assembly  in  his  behalf,  had 
scarcely  aroused  our  alarm  before  the  sad  intelligence  of  his  death  fell 
with  its  crushing  weight  uj:)on  our  hearts,  and  tiu-ned  these  prayers  for 
him  into  weeping  supplications  for  ourselves  and  for  our  bereaved  coim- 
tiy.  Seldom  in  history  has  one  been  able,  in  so  short  a  time,  to  write 
his  name  so  deeply  upon  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,  and  to  raise  the 
admiration  of  the  world  at  large.  Uniting  the  most  beautiful  sim- 
pHcity  with  the  most  intense  earnestness  of  character,  with  a  rehgious 
consecration  to  duty  as  the  regulative  principle  of  his  life,  he  was  a 
true  man  in  all  the  relations  in  which  he  moved.  The  additional  en- 
dowment of  a  military  genius,  quick  to  perceive  and  to  improve  the  ad- 
vantage and  its  opportunity,  made  him  what  he  was,  the  true  soldier 
and  the  ctmsummate  general.  It  were  idle  to  compress  within  this  re- 
cord his  brilliant  military  career,  which  forms  so  large  a  part  of  this 
yoimg  nation's  histoiy.  The  rapidity  of  his  movements,  imparting  to 
him  a  seeming  ubiquity,  the  promptness  and  daring  and  luiiform  suc- 
cess of  his  achievements,  rendered  his  name  a  terror  to  our  foes,  and  a 
tower  of  strength  to  ourselves.  It  is  not  invidious  to  say  that,  whilst 
other  generals  of  the  army,  superior  to  him  in  rank,  command  equally 
with  himself  the  confidence  of  oui*  people,  he  was  the  most  deeply  of 
them  aU  enshrined  in  their  affections.  It  will  be  the  office  of  history 
to  assign  the  position  he  will  occupy  upon  her  impartial  page ;  and  we 
doubt  not  that  the  verdict  of  posterity  will  confirm  the  judgment  of  his 
contenqDoi-aries,  in  pronoimcing  that  the  life  of  a  hero  has  been  crowned 
with  the  death  of  a  mart^T. 

But  General  Jackson  has  stronger  claims  upon  the  affectionate  and 
tearful  remembrance  of  this  General  Assembly  than  those  foimded  upon 
his  merits  as  a  patriot  and  a  warrior.  He  was  a  warm  and  zealous 
Christian,  a  man  that  feared  God,  and  walked  cai'efully  before  him ; 
who,  being  found  blameless,  used  the  office  of  a  deacon  in  the  house  of 
God,  filling  up  the  portrait  di'awn  by  the  apostle's  hand :  "  Grave,  not 
double-tongued,  .  .  .  holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith  in  a  pure  con- 
science." His  rehgion  was  woven  into  the  whole  textvu'e  of  his  charac- 
ter and  hfe,  the  constructive  element  which  made  him  the  man  he  was. 


398  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

It  has  been  tersely  and  truthfully,  and  therefore  beautifully,  said  of 
him,  that  in  the  army  he  was  the  expression  of  his  country's  confidence 
in  God  and  in  itself.  Even  those  who  withheld  from  God  the  homage 
of  their  own  obedience  and  love  took  refuge  in  the  thought  that  their 
great  military  leader  drew  his  strength  from  the  God  of  heaven,  and, 
Like  the  Hebrew  Moses,  daily  comnumed  with  him  upon  the  mount ; 
and  the  Church  of  Christ  turned  their  eyes  to  him  with  a  loving  joy, 
as  the  embodied  and  concrete  representative,  the  living  exposition  of 
those  precious  truths  which  it  is  her  mission  to  testify  to  a  dying  world. 
In  the  army  his  religions  influence  diffused  itself  like  the  atmosphere 
around  him;  and  by  that  strange  magnetic  power  over  other  minds 
which  is  given  to  all  who  are  born  to  command,  none  were  drawn  into 
his  presence  who  did  not  bow  before  the  supremacy  of  that  i^iety  so 
silently,  yet  conspicuousl}',  illustrated  in  the  carriage  of  this  Christian 
general. 

The  evidence  is  cumulative  before  this  Assembly  of  his  zeal  to  over- 
take the  religious  w^ants  of  his  soldiery,  and  of  the  yearnings  of  his  soul 
that  this  venerable  court  should,  during  its  present  sessions,  concert 
large  plans  for  the  evangelization  of  the  army  and  of  the  country  at 
large.  Therefore  it  is  this  Assembly,  at  the  moment  of  its  dissolution, 
as  its  last  solemn  act,  w'ould  place  upon  its  records  this  memorial  to  his 
l^raise,  and  bedew  it  with  their  parting  tears.  AVe  shall  not  attempt 
here  the  interpretation  of  the  mysterious  providence  which  has  taken 
away  from  the  country,  at  such  a  juncture,  so  strong  an  arm.  It  is 
enough  that  He  has  done  it  who  does  all  things  well ;  we  will  "be  still, 
and  know  that  He  is  God."  But  in  the  depth  of  our  own  sadness,  we 
would  speak  a  word  of  cheer  to  our  bereaved  countrymen:  that  in  the 
disappointment  of  many  of  our  most  reasonable  calculations,  no  less 
than  in  unexpectedly  blessing  us  when  all  seemed  dark  and  forbidding, 
God  seems  to  us  only  the  more  to  have  charged  himself  with  the  care 
and  protection  of  this  struggling  republic ;  and  in  this  new  chastening 
we  recognize  the  token  of  Him  whose  way  it  is  to  humble  those  whom 
it  is  His  purpose  to  exalt  and  to  bless. 

With  the  immediate  family  and  kindred  of  our  departed  brother  we 
desire  to  mingle  our  grief,  as  they  pay  the  tribute  of  their  sorrow  over 
his  grave  ;  and  the  Assembly  conveys  through  this  minute  its  tenderest 
sympathy  to  those  whose  hearts  are  bleeding  under  what  is  to  them  a 
more  close  and  personal  bereavement,  praying  the  God  of  all  consola- 
tion to  grant  unto  them  "joy  for  mourning,  beavity  for  ashes,  and  the 
garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness." 


CHAPTER    II. 

ORGANIC    UNION    EFFECTED    WITH    OTHER    ECCLESIAS- 
TICAL BODIES. 

62G.  Presbytery  of  Patapsco  tmites  mith  the  AssettMy. 

1867,  p.  131.     The  stated  clerk  presented  a  memorial  from  the  Pres- 
byteiy  of  Patapsco,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  composed  of  ministers 


Sec.  626.]         Relations  of  the  Chitech  with  Other  Bodies.  399 

and  churches  which  had  withdrawn  from  theii*  connection  with  the 
"  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch  in  the  "United  States 
of  America ;  "  "which  memorial  was  read,  and  is  as  follows : 

Whereas,  1,  The  ministers  and  churches  of  this  Presbytery  origi- 
nally dissolved  theii*  former  ecclesiastical  connection  because  of  the 
numerous  and  persistent  violations  of  the  constitution  of  the  Chui'ch 
by  the  highest  court  thereof ;  and 

Whereas,  2,  This  sepai'ation  was  to  ccjntinue  as  long  as  these  \iola- 
tions  of  the  Church's  constitution  continued;  and 

Whereas,  3,  There  now  remains  no  good  ground  of  hope  that  the 
Church  of  our  former  connection  will  soon  return  to  the  old  ways — the 
Divine  constitution  of  the  Church,  so  faithfully  set  forth  in  the  stand- 
ards under  which  we  were  ordained,  and  which  we  solemnly  vowed  to 
uphold,  and  to  which  we  always  held  ourselves  bound ;  and 

Whereas,  4,  It  was  the  direction  of  oiu'  churches  and  sessions  to 
form  other  ecclesiastical  connections,  whenever  it  became  necessary 
from  the  pei'petuation  and  estabhshment  of  the  aforesaid  violations, 
with  all  Presbyterians  who  uphold  the  constitution  of  the  Church  in  its 
purity;  and 

Whereas,  5,  This  Presbytery  was  formed  in  obedience  to  this  direc- 
tion of  the  churches  and  sessions  :  and 

WTiereas,  6,  We  hold  it  to  be  the  imperative  obhgation  of  all  God's 
people,  according  to  the  will  of  Christ,  the  sole  King  in  Zion,  to  mani- 
fest the  invisible  imity  of  their  faith  in  the  unity  of  a  visible  Chiu'ch,  as 
far  and  as  fast  as  it  can  be  done  consistently  with  the  purity  of  the 
fii'st,  the  essential  unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ:  and 

Whereas,  7,  We  believe  that  it  is  now^  high  time  to  make  visible  our 
unity  with  all  the  Presbyterian  people  of  God,  further  than  is  now 
done  by  our  imion  in  this  Presbytery ;  and 

Whereas,  8,  We  believe  that  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  whose  General  Assembly  is  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Nash^'ille  on 
the  21st  day  of  November  next,  is  the  largest  body  of  Christians  in  the 
land  whose  faith  and  government  are  identical  with  our  own  and  pure 
according  to  the  standards  of  the  Chui'ch;  therefore — 

"Resolved,  1,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Patapsco  appoint,  at  its 
present  meeting,  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Chiu'ch  in  the  United  States,  and  order  the  said  commissioners 
to  ask  the  said  Assembly  to  take  Presbytery  imder  its  care  and  govern- 
ment, and  to  imite  Presbytery  with  such  Synod  under  the  Assembly's 
jurisdiction  as  may  seem  to  the  Assembly  most  beneficial  to  the  Church 
of  God  in  the  world. 

"  liesolved,  2,  That  in  seeking  this  ecclesiastical  connection  with 
the  aforesaid  Presbyterian  Church,  we  solemnly  declare  that  we  are 
actuated  by  the  one  desire  to  unite  with  all  Chiistians  of  like  faith  with 
oui'selves,  ignoring  all  sectional  and  political  distinctions  whatever. 

"  Jiesolved,  3,  That  we  will  greatly  rejoice  whenever  the  time  shall 
come  when  an  organic  union  of  all  Presbyterians  in  the  land  may  be 
effected  consistently  with  the  purity  of  oiu-  standards." 

Whereupon  it  was  resolved,  on  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Wilson, 
that,  in  view  of  this  memorial  and  the  cei'tified  appointment  of  com- 
missioners to  this  body,  the  said  Presbytery  of  Patapsco  be,  and  the 
same  is  hereby,  received  into  regular  connection  with  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States ;  that  the 


400  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

commissioners  appointed  by  it  be,  and  are  hereby,  received  as  members 
of  this  body,  and  that  the  said  Presbytery  shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  at- 
tached to  the  Sj^nod  of  Virginia,  as  a  component  part  of  it. 

627.    Union  with  the  United  Synod  of  the  South. 

1863,  p.  137.  "  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  Confederate  States  is  hereby  overtured  by  the  Presbytery  of 
East  Hanover  to  take  such  steps  as  its  wisdom  may  suggest,  at  its  ap- 
proaching meeting  in  Columbia,  to  bring  about  a  imion  betvpeen  the 
Old  and  New  School  Presbyterians  in  the  Confederate  States." 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  would  report,  touching  the 
above  overture,  as  follows  : 

The  subject  of  a  formal  union  between  our  Church  and  the  body 
known  as  the  United  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  designated  in 
the  overture  as  the  New  School  Presbyterians,  appears  to  have  engaged 
the  earnest  attention  of  a  large  number  of  our  ministers  and  people, 
especially  in  the  regions  in  which  the  respective  parties  are  brought 
into  the  most  frequent  contact  with  each  other.  In  addition  to  the 
paper  before  us,  we  are  informed  that  a  memorial  of  the  same  tenor 
was  adopted  by  the  Presbytery  of  West  Hanover,  and  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  the  Assembly  at  its  present  session.  Brethren  from  other  por- 
tions of  the  coimtry  assure  us  that  the  "desire  is  general,  and  becoming 
every  day  stronger,  in  the  churches  around  them,  although  it  may  not 
have  found  expression  in  the  formal  deliverances  of  our  Presbyteries. 
It  is  believed,  also,  by  those  who  have  enjoyed  the  most  favorable  op- 
portimities  of  forming  a  correct  opinion  on  the  subject,  that  a  coiTes- 
ponding  desire  exists  on  the  part  of  the  ministers  and  people  of  the 
other  side.  It  may  be  that  these  are  indications  of  Providence,  designed 
to  admonish  us  that  the  time  for  which  many  of  our  people  have  long 
prayed,  and  which  all,  perhaps,  have  confidently  expected,  has  arrived — 
the  time  for  initiating  those  specific  measures  which,  under  the  guidance 
and  favor  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  shall  re-unite  in  full  Chris- 
tian affection  and  in  full  ecclesiastical  communion  those  and  the  chil- 
dren of  those  who  once  lived  together  in  harmony  and  mth  mutual  edifi- 
cation, under  the  same  name  and  the  same  polity.  It  may  be,  also,  that 
one  desig-n  of  the  pro^'idence  which  has  sundered  our  connection  with  om* 
late  brethren  of  the  North  is  to  open  the  way  for  our  union  with  those 
who  may  still  be  called  our  late  brethren  of  the  South.  The  judgments 
of  God  are  heavj'  upon  us  both ;  it  may  be  that  if  we  should,  now  that 
our  hearts  are  chastened  by  our  sore  afflictions,  meet  together  in  such 
form  as  we  may,  pray  together,  and  confer  with  each  other  as  to  the 
things  in  which  we  agree,  as  ■vy^H  as  those  in  which  we  have  differed, 
we  shall  find  that,  whatever  may  have  existed  in  the  past,  there  are  no 
longer  any  insuperable  barriers  to  keep  us  asunder. 

With  a  view  to  do  what  in  us  may  he  to  ascertain  whether  such  miion 
can  be  formed  upon  any  basis  that  shall  be  satisfactory  to  both  parties, 
and  shall  offer  reasonable  grounds  of  hope  for  permanent  harmony  and 
co-operation,  your  committee  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  commit- 
tee to  cijnfer  on  the  subject  with  any  committee  that  may  be  appointed 
by  the  United  Synod,  and  report  the  results  of  such  conference  to  the 
next  Assembly.     Adopted. 

Committee :  Rev.  K.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  N.  Waddel,  D.  D., 


Sec.  627.]        Relations  of  the  Chtjech  with  Other  Bodies.  401 

Eev.  Wm.  Brown,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  B.  Ramsey,  D.  D.,  Rev.  E.  T.  Baii'd, 
D.  D.,  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Prestou,  and  F.  N.  ^Yatkins,  Esq. 

1864,  p.  253.  The  committee  to  confer  with  a  committee  of  the 
United  S3'nod  report  to  the  General  Assembly : 

That  they  met  a  committee  appointed  W  the  United  Synod  in  July 
last,  and,  after  pra^'er  and  conference,  unanimously  aj^reed  to  recom- 
mend to  the  General  Assembly  the  adoption  of  the  following,  which 
the  committee  of  the  United  Synod  likewise  recommended,  with  similar 
imauimity,  to  that  body : 

Tlie  report  here  gives  the  preamble  and  elaborate  articles  of  iiuion  which  the  joint 
committees  had  agreed  npou.  Article  I.  .contained  a  iJednratioii  touching  certain 
doctrines  that  had  been  formerly  grounds  of  debate,  in  order  to  manifest  the  hearty 
agi'eement  of  the  two  bodies,  tu-wit :  1,  Concerning  the  fall  of  man,  and  original 
sin,  imputation  of  guilt,  origin  of  sin,  etc. ;  2,  Concerning  regeneration ;  3,  Con- 
cerning the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ;  4,  Concerning  the  believer's  justification; 
5,  Concerning  revivals ;  G,  Concerning  voluntary  societies  and  the  functions  of  the 
Chiirch. 

The  report  was  signed  by  Joseph  C.  Stiles,  chairman,  Chas.  H.  Head,  J.  D.  Mitchell, 
J.  J.  Kobinsou,  .and  J.  F.  Johnson,  committee  of  the  United  Synod,  and  by  all  of 
the  committee  of  the  General  Assembly,  save  Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D.,  who,  in  a 
paper  explaining  why  he  withheld  his  signature,  declared  that  he  did  so  because, 
in  several  places,  the  language  of  the  articles  is  liable  to  misapprehension,  and 
might  become  the  cause  of  trouble  hereafter :  otherwise  he  endorsed  the  paper,  and 
was  cordially  in  favor  of  union. — A. 

A  motion  to  adopt  the  report  of  the  committee  of  confei'ence  led  to 
a  prolonged  discussion.  It  was  then  referred  to  a  special  committee, 
consisting"  of  one  minister  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  Synod  repre- 
sented in  this  Assembly. 

Committee :  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  J.  M.  McKee,  D.  Wills,  T).  A.  Penick, 
Dr.  Adger,  R.  F.  Bunting,  Dr.  Dabney,  and  D.  H.  Cummins,  ministers; 
G.  H.  Dvmlap,  Saml  Barnett,  J.  Patrick,  J.  G.  Shepherd,  G.  McC. 
Witherspoon,  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  and  R.  S.  Stewart,  ruling  elders. 
(P.  263.) 

P.  270.  This  committee  made  a  report,  which,  after  the  Assembly 
had  been  led  in  prtiyer  by  Rev.  Dr.  White  for  Divine  direction,  was  dis- 
cussed and  adopted  seriatim,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  General  Assembly  having  received  the  report  of  the  committee 
appointed  last  year  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  the  United 
S}Tiod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  on  the  subject  of  the  union  of  the 
two  bodies,  and  having  heard  the  explanatory  statements  accompanying 
the  said  report,  do  hereby  adopt  the  foUo^nug  resolutions  as  expressive 
of  their  views  on  the  whole  subject,  viz.  : 

Hesolved,  1,  That  the  Assembly  express  their  approval  of  the  diH- 
gence  and  tidehtv  of  the  committee  in  regard  to  the  important  trust 
with  which  they  were  charged,  and  also  the  great  satisfaction  with 
which  the}'  have  heard  of  the  brotherly  love  and  spirit  of  harmony  in 
which  the  conference  of  the  two  committees  was  held. 

Hesolved,  2,  That  the  Assembly  beheve  the  most  satisfactory'  terms 
of  union  to  be  the  cordial  adherence  of  the  two  bodies  to  their  existing 
symbols  of  faith  and  order. 

Hesolved,  3,  That  the  repoi't  of  the  committee  be  adopted  after 
amendment  in  the  follo^nng  particulars,  viz. :  1.  From  the  preamble 
omit  the  words  "removing  the  dishonor  done  to  religion  by  former 
separations,"  and  modify  the  provisions  as  to  the  name  and  charter. 
2.  Omit  all  of  the  iirst  article  after  the  first  paragraph.  3.  Amend  the 
26 


402  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

second  article  so  as  in  eveiy  case  to  require  the  reception  of  the  Pres- 
byteries under  the  care  of  the  United  Synod  into  the  Synods  of  this 
Assembly,  so  as  to  preserve  the  undoubted  succession  of  the  latter; 
and  add  to  the  article  the  following  words,  viz. :  "Should  providential 
hindrances  prevent  the  consummation  of  any  of  the  measures  above 
mentioned  during  the  year  1864,  they  shall  take  effect  as  soon  there- 
after as  practicable."  4.  Omit  all  after  the  words  "in  full  force,"  in 
the  last  article. 

The  plan  of  union,  as  thus  amended,  is  as  follows,  viz.  : 

The  General  Assembly  and  the  United  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  holding  the  same  sys- 
tem of  doctrine  and  church  order,  and  believing  that  their  vmion  will 
glorify  God  by  promoting  peace  and  increasing  their  ability  for  the 
edification  of  the  body  of  Christ,  do  agree  to  unite  under  the  name  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  and 
under  the  existing  charter  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  on  the 
following  basis,  viz. : 

Article  I.  The  General  Assembly  and  the  United  Synod  declare  that 
they  continue  sincerely  to  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  and 
Catechisms  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  containing  the  system  of 
doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  approve  of  its  government 
and  disciphne. 

Article  II.  The  General  Assembly  and  the  United  S>Tiod  hereby 
agree  that  the  Presbyteries  composing  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  under 
the  care  of  the  United  Synod,  together  with  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Kiver,  shall  be  received  into  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  under  the  care  of 

the  General  Assembly,  at  their  meeting  in  Lexington,  on  the day 

of  October,  1864.  The  Presbytery  of  Texas,  under  the  care  of  the 
United  Synod,  shall  be  received  into  the  Synod  of  Texas,  imder  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  its  next  meeting.  The  Presbyteries 
of  Lexington  South,  Clinton,  and  Newton,  under  the  care  of  the  United 
Synod,  shall  be  received  into  the  Synod  of  Mississippi,  under  the  care  of 

the  General  Assembly,  at  their  meeting  in  Brandon,  on  the day 

of  October,  1864.  The  Presbyteries  of  Holston,  Union,  and  Kingston, 
imder  the  care  of  the  United  Synod,  shall  be  received  into  the  Synod 
of  Nashville,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  their  next 
meeting.  And  the  ministers  and  churches  of  the  Presbytery  of  North 
Alabama,  under  the  care  of  the  United  Synod,  which  are  within  the 
State  of  Alabama,  shall  be  united  to  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  and  those 
churches  and  ministers  of  such  Presbytery  which  are  within  the  State 
of  Tennessee  to  the  Synod  of  Nashville.  And  the  Presbytery  of  Osage, 
under  the  care  of  the  United  Synod,  shall  be  attached  to  the  Synod  of 
Arkansas,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly.  Should  provi- 
dential hindrances  prevent  the  consummation  of  any  of  the  measures 
above  mentioned  during  the  year  1864,  they  shall  take  effect  as  soon 
thereafter  as  practicable. 

Article  III.  These  Synods,  at  their  first  annual  meetings,  or  as  soon 
thereafter  as  practicable,  shall  define  the  boundaries  of  Presbyteries, 
where  ministers  and  churches,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly 
and  of  the  United  Synod,  exist  in  the  same  territory,  and  shall  so  dis- 
tribute said  ministers  and  churches  that  those  within  the  same 
geographical  limits  shall  not  belong  to  different  Presbyteries.  It  is  re- 
commended that,  in  such  changes,  that  Presbytery  shall  hold  its  name 


Sec-.  «27.  ]       Kei.ations  OF  THF  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  403 

and  succession  which  has  the  major  number  of  ministers,  and  shall  re- 
ceive the  records  and  Presbyterial  funds  of  the  other  Presbytery, 
assuming  also  its  existing  pecuniary  obligations.  And  it  is  agreed 
that  no  other  condition  shall  be  required  of  the  members  constituting 
said  Presbyteries,  except  the  approval  of  this  plan  of  union. 

Article  IV.  Wherever  organized  churches  under  the  care  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  of  the  United  Synod  exist  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood, if  their  union  is  necessaiy  to  the  successful  sustentation  of  the 
gospel,  they  are  atiectionately  exhorted  to  unite  immediately,  postponing 
private  convenience  to  the  glory  of  God.  But  no  organized  churches, 
or  existing  compacts  with  pastors  or  stated  supphes,  shall  be  ex- 
tinguished by  this  act  of  union,  except  they  voluntarily  agree  to  com- 
bine with  neighboring  churches.  And  when  such  unions  of  churches 
take  place,  they,  with  their  sessions,  shall  be  organized  under  the  di- 
rection of  their  own  Presbyteries. 

Article  V.  Inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  and  the  United  Synod 
have  similar  agencies  for  aiding  pious  youth  in  their  education  for  the 
ministiy,  for  circulating  Divine  truth  by  printing,  and  for  missions, 
home  and  foreig-n,  it  is  agreed  that  the  committees  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, from  and  after  the  union,  shall  receive  and  sustain,  according 
to  existing  compacts,  all  colporteurs,  beneficiaries  studying  for  the  min- 
istiy, and  home  and  foreign  missionaries,  then  mider  the  care  of  the 
United  Synod,  as  well  as  those  of  the  General  Assembly ;  and  that  all 
funds  and  other  property  now  held  for  the  above  objects  by  the  United 
Synod,  or  its  committees,  or  other  agencies,  shall  be  passed  over  to  the 
appropriate  committees  of  the  General  Assembly.  And  these  com- 
mittees shall  thereafter  solicit  contributions  for  these  evangelical  labors 
in  aU  the  churches  ahke,  as  they  are  enabled. 

Article  VI.  Whenever  the  above  written  plan  of  union  shall  have 
been  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  and  the  United  S}Tiod,  it  shall 
be  in  full  force. 

4.  Resolned,  That  the  Assembly  proposes  the  omission  of  the  doc- 
trinal propositions  of  Article  I.,  on  the  following  ground  solely,  viz. : 
That,  behering  the  approval  of  those  jjropositions  by  the  Committees 
of  Conference,  and  extensivel}'  among  both  bodies,  has  served  a  valu- 
able purpose,  by  presenting  satisfactory  evidence  of  such  harmony  and 
soundness  of  doctrinal  views  as  may  ground  an  honorable  union,  the 
Assembly  does  yet  judge  that  it  is  most  prudent  to  imite  on  the  basis 
of  our  existing  standards  only,  inasmuch  as  no  actual  necessity  for 
other  declarations  of  belief  in  order  to  a  happy  union  now  exist. 

Before  the  vote  was  taken  upon  the  report  as  a  whole,  the  Assembly 
adjourned,  to  meet  this  afternoon  at  four  o'clock. 

P.  270.  The  Assembly  then  resolved  to  take  the  final  vote  by  ayes 
and  nays  upon  the  report  which  was  adopted  seriatim  this  moiiiing,  it 
being  understood  that  each  member  voting,  whether  aj'e  or  nay,  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  explaining  the  reasons  for  his  vote,  to  be  spread 
upon  this  record.     Result:  Ayes,  53  :  nays,  7. 

A.  M.  Watsou  and  P.  Pierson  voted  in  the  affirmative,  but  dissented  from  4th 
resolution  ;  also  T.  W.  Erwin,  who  excepts  further  to  the  last  resolution.  G.  H. 
Dunlap  doubts  whether  his  Presbytery  will  cordially  approve  his  vote,  which  was 
in  the  affirmative.  Of  those  who  voted  iKiy,  James  McCreight  and  B.  M.  Palmer 
objected  to  resolution  4th.  Au^us  Johnson  voted  nay  for  doctrinal  reasons,  and 
J.  B.  Adger,  because  he  regarded  the  plan  of  iinion  as  a  retraction  of  the  Church's 
testimony  in  1837,  and  as  being  calculated  to  give  rise  to  future  troubles  in  the 
Church,  and  as  assuming  that  the  Assembly  has  unlimited  powers. 


404  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

The  change  made  in  the  second  article  of  the  conference  report  by  the  Assembly 
before  adopting  it  was  as  follows:  Instead  of  saying  that  the  Presbyteries  and 
Synods  connected  with  the  two  bodies,  and  covering  a  common  territory,  shall  coii- 
stitute  a  new  Synod  or  Presbytery,  the  report  is  made  to  read,  that  the  bodies  in 
connection  with  the  United  Synod  shall  be  received  into  the  corresi:)ouding  ecclesi- 
astical body  in  connection  with  the  General  Assembly.  The  purpose  of  the  altera- 
tion was  to  preserve  the  succession,  and  so  guard  the  property  interests  and  char- 
tered rights  of  the  various  Svuods  and  Presbyteries  in  connection  with  the  Assem- 
bly —A. 

628.   Origin  and  Jdstory  of  the  United  Synod. 

The  following  outline  of  the  history  and  position  of  the  United  Synod  may  not 
be  inappropriate : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica (N.  S.),  at  its  session  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1857,  adopted  a  i^aper  touching 
the  subject  of  slavery,  that  was  regarded  bj'  some  of  the  members  of  the  Assembly 
as  contrary  to  the  Scriptures  and  violative  of  the  constitution  of  the  Chm-ch,  in  that 
it  virtually  made  slaveholdiug  a  cause  for  discipline  by  the  church  courts.  They 
therefore  felt  constrained,  for  truth  and  conscience  sake,  to  withdraw  from  that 
body,  and -to  recommend  that  a  convention  be  held  in  the  city  of  Eichmond,  Va  , 
composed  of  representatives  of  such  Presbyteries  and  churches  as  felt  themselves 
aggrieved  by  the  above-mentioned  action  of  the  Assembly,  to  consult  as  to  what 
course  should  be  pursued.  This  they  did,  in  an  address  to  the  churches,  signed  by 
Kev.  F.  A.  Ross,  D.  D.,  and  fourteen  others.  That  convention  met  August  27, 
1857.  The  attendance  was  one  hundred  and  tif  ty-two.  It  was  in  session  five  days. 
Its  president  was  Hon.  Horace  Maynard,  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  The  following  plat- 
form was  adox^ted  and  published : 

Whereas  all  acts,  resolutions,  and  testimonies  of  past  General  Assemblies,  and 
especially  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assemblj',  whereby  suspicions  and  doubts 
of  the  good  standing  and  equal  rights  and  privileges  of  slaveholding  members  of 
the  Church,  or  imputations  or  charges  against  their  Christian  character,  have  been 
either  implied  or  expressed,  are  contrary  to  the  examjDle  and  teachings  of  Christ 
and  his  apostles,  and  tire  a  violation  of  the  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

And  whereas  the  relation  of  master  and  servant,  in  itself  considered,  or  further 
than  the  relative  duties  arising  therefrom,  and  slavery  as  an  institution  of  the 
state,  do  not  properly  belong  to  the  Church  judicatories  as  subjects  for  discussion 
and  enquiry. 

And  whereas,  in  the  judgment  of  this  convention,  there  is  no  jjrospect  of  the 
cessation  of  this  agitation  of  slavery  in  the  General  Assembly  so  long  as  there  are 
slaveholdei's  in  connection  with  the  Church ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  Presbyteries  in  connection  with  the  Gei\- 
eral  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  to  with- 
draw from  said  body. 

ResoUed,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  convention  nothing  can  be  made  the  basis 
for  discipline  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  which  is  not  specifically  referred  to  in  the 
constitution  as  crime  or  heresy. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  no  power 
to  i^ronounce  a  sentence  of  condemnation  on  a  lower  judicatory,  or  individuals,  for 
any  caiise,  unless  they  have  been  brought  before  the  Assembly  in  the  way  pre- 
scribed by  the  constitution. 

ResoUed,  That  the  convention  recommend  to  all  the  Presbyteries  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  which  are  opposed  to  the  agitation  of  slavery  in  the  highest  judica- 
tory of  the  Church  to  aiipoint  delegates,  in  the  proportion  prescribed  hy  our 
Form  of  Government  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  the  Assembly,  to 
meet  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  on  the  third  Thursday  in  Mity,  1858,  for  the  iiurpose  of 
organizing  a  general  Synod,  under  the  name  of  "The  United  Synod  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America." 

ResoUed,  That  the  members  of  this  convention  adhere  to  and  abide  by  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine 
taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  and  that  we  adhere  to  the  Form  of  Government  and 
Book  of  Discipline  of  said  Church. 

The  following  also  was  adojited : 

Resolved,  That  a  union  between  us  and  our  Old  School  brethren,  could  it  be  ef- 
fected on  terms  acceptable  to  both  sides,  would  be  conducive  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  Church  of  Christ ;  and  this  convention,  after  a  free  and  f idl  interchange  of 
views  and  opinions  on  this  subject,  do  now  recommend  that  the  United  Synod, 


Sec.  G28.]        Eelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  405 

when  formed  and  duly  organized,  phall  invite  the  General  Assembly  (O.  S.)  toa 
fraternal  conference  with  us  in  reference  to  snch  union. 

In  iiinsnance  of  the  recommendation  of  this  convention,  commissioners  ap- 
pomted  by  a  number  of  Presbyteries  met  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  of 
Knoxville,  on  April  1,  1858,  and  after  a  seimon  by  Eev.  J.  D.  IMitchell,  D.  D.,  of 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  i^roceeded  to  constitute  the  United  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  number  of  commissioners  in  attendance  was  twenty-one,  from  twelve 
Presbyteries,  located  in  foiir  different  States. 

A  declaration  of  principles  was  adoj^ted,  setting  forth  the  reasons  for  withdraw- 
ing from  the  Assembly  and  forming  a  sej^arate  ecclesiastical  judicatory,  and  as  be- 
ing, in  their  judgment,  in  accordance  with  the  Word  of  Gocl  and  the  constitution 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  as  essential  to  the  peace,  unity,  and  permanent 
prosperity  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  land.  This  statement,  in  substance, 
is  as  follows:  1.  They  declare  their  agreement  in,  and  approbation  of,  the  standards 
of  the  Church,  and  state  in  what  sense  they  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith.  2.  No 
JTidicatory,  minister,  or  member  can  be  censured,  condemned,  or  excluded  from 
Church  privileges  without  a  process  of  trial,  such  as  is  prescribed  in  the  constitu- 
tion. 3.  The  General  Assembly  is  an  advisory  and  judicial  body,  but  not  a  legisla- 
tive body.  4.  Discriminates  between  the  testifying  and  judicial  powers  of  judi- 
catories. 5.  Nothing  can  be  made  the  basis  of  discipline  which  is  not  specifically  re- 
ferred to  in  the  constitution  of  the  Church  as  crime  or  heresy.  G.  Slave-holding  is 
not  referred  to  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  cannot,  therefore,  in  itself  con- 
sidered, in  any  case  be  made  the  basis  of  discipline.  7.  It  is  a  usurpation  of  au- 
thor-ity  to  make  slave-holding  a  bar  to  communion.  8.  The  discussion  or  agitation 
of  slavery  in  the  judicatories  of  the  Church,  except  so  far  as  resjoects  the  moral  and 
religious' duties  growing  out  of  the  relation  of  master  and  slave,  is  inappropriate 
to  said  judicatories.  9.  Presbyteries  from  every  section  of  the  Union,  which  can 
endorse  this  platform,  are  invited  to  cast  m  their  lot  with  the  United  Synod 

This  Synod  also  appointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  Eev.  C.  H.  Bead,  D.  D., 
and  Rev.'  M.  M.  Marshall,  to  visit  New  Orleans,  and  confer  with  a  committee  of  the 
Old  School  Assembly,  in  the  event  of  that  body  appointing  one  for  the  purpose, 
with  reference  to  a  union  of  the  two  bodies.  This  committee  was  directed  to  pro- 
pose certain  terms  of  union  as  indispensable  to  an  honorable  imion  on  the  part  of  the 
United  Synod.  These  terms  were  seven  in  number,  being  in  the  main  a  repetition 
of  the  positions  above  given  in  the  "Declaration  of  Princii3les. "  One  teim  asked 
was,  that  both  bodies  agree  that  it  is  consistent  with  the  requirements  of  the  West- 
minster Confession  to  receive  said  confession  according  to  the  adopting  act  of  1729. 
Another  was,  that  the  examination  rule  should  be  relaxed  in  the  reception  of  min- 
isters from  the  United  Synod. 

The  Assembly  appointed  Eev.  C.  Van  Rensselaer,  D.  D.,  Eev.  B.  M.  Palmer, 
D.  D.,  and  Eev.  Mr.  Cunningham,  a  committee  to  meet  and  confer  with  the  above 
committee. 

This  committee  of  the  Assembly  laid  before  that  body  the  "terms  of  union" 
submitted  by  the  United  Synod ;  also  the  proposal  to  establish  mutual  correspon- 
dence between  the  two  bodies  in  case  union  be  not  determined  upon,  with  a  simple 
recommendation  that  they  should  be  put  on  the  docket,  which  was  done.  When 
the  matter  was  called  up,  Eev.  Dr.  E.  J.  Breckinridge  submitted  a  paper,  which 
was  i^assed  unanimo;;sly,  in  which  the  Assembly  says  that  these  official  papers  do 
not  afford  a  basis  of  conference  upon  which  it  is  able  to  see  that  there  is  any  pros- 
pect of  advancing  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  general,  or  those  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  or  those  of  the  United  Synod  in  particu- 
lar. The  Assembly  furthermore  seemed  to  think  that  acceptance  of  the  teims  pro- 
posed would  "  appear  to  us  to  involve  a  condemnation  of  ourselves  and  a  renuncia- 
tion of  the  rich  and  peculiar  favor  of  God  upon  us  in  the  very  matters  which  led  to 
their  secession  from  our  Church  twenty  years  ago." 

Eev.  T.  D.  Bell,  of  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  was  stated  clerk,  and  Eev.  J.  H.  Martiij, 
of  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  was  permanent  clerk  of  the  United  Synod-. 

The  Synods  and  Presbyteries  embraced  in  this  body  in  18G1  were  as  follows : 

I.  Si/»od  of  T7r(7/7Na.  —  Presbyteries :  Winchester,  Hanover,  Piedmont,  and  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia. —  4. 

II.  S^/ltod  of  Tennessee. — Presbyteries:  Union,  Ilolston,  Kingston,  and  New 
Eiver.  —  4. 

III.  Synod  of  Mississippi. — Presbyteries:  North  Alabama,  Clinton,  Lexington 
South,  Newton,  Texas,  Osage,  and  Lexington. — 7. 

The  Board  of  ^lissious  was  located  in  Eichmond.  It  had'supervision  of  both  do- 
mestic and  foreign  work.     Eev.  P.  B.  Price  was  its  secretary  and  treasurer,  and 


406  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VII. 

Peachy  R.  Grattan  its  president.  The  Board  of  Education  was  located  in  Lynch- 
burg, Va.,  and  had  Rev.  Dr.  J.  D.  Mitchell  for  secretary,  and  P.  Seabury  for 
treasurer.  The  treasurer  of  the  Assembly  was  D.  B.  Payne,  Lynchburg.  The 
Board  of  Trustees,  W.  R.  Caswell,  president,  was  chartered  under  the  laws  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  and  had  its  residence  in  Knoxville.  In  1861  the  United  Synod 
embraced  121  ministers  and  199  churches,  and  had  under  its  care  4  licentiates,  18 
candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  11,581  communicants.  The  following  is  the  suc- 
cession of  their  Synods : 

Date.               Place.  Moderator. 

1858,     Knoxville, Rev.  C.  H.  Read,  D.  D. 


1859,  Lynchburg, 

1860,  Huntsville, 

1861,  Richmond, 

1862,  Chattanooga, 

1863,  Knoxville, 

1864,  Lynchburg, 


Rev.  J.  J.  Robinson,  D.  D. 
Rev.  C.  M.  Atkinson. 
Rev.  E.  H.  Cumpston. 


Rev.  Fielding  Pope. 

Rev.  Amasa  Converse,  D.  D. 


There  was  not  a  quorum  at  Chattanooga  in  1862.  After  electing  Rev.  Fielding 
Pope  temporary  moderator,  those  present  adjourned,  designating  Knoxville  as  the 
place,  and  May  1,  1863,  as  the  time,  for  the  next  meeting.  It  actually  met,  how- 
ever, on  the  21st  of  May,  1863.  On  an  overture  from  North  Alabama  Presbytery 
and  a  memorial  from  Rev.  P.  B.  Price  reciting  the  recent  action  of  the  Assembly 
relative  to  iinion,  Synod  appointed  a  committee  "to  arrange  for  such  a  formal 
union  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  at  the  South,  upon  the  basis  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  as  in  its  spirit  and  terms  shall  be  honorable  and  acceptable  to  both  jiarties, 
and  as  in  its  i)rovisions  and  arrangements  shall  promise  the  enlarged  i^rosiierity  of 
Christ's  kingdom  within  onr  respective  bounds, "  and  to  re^Jort  to  the  Synod  the  re- 
sults of  the  fraternal  conference  at  its  next  annual  meeting. 

The  meeting  for  1864  was  to  have  been  held  in  May,  at  New  Dublin  church, 
Pulaski  county,  Va.,  but  proved  a  failure,  the  commissioners  being  iinable  to  at- 
te)id,  owing  to  a  Federal  raid  in  that  county  at  the  time.  The  stated  clerk  there- 
upon called  for  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  in  Lynchburg,  on  the  last  Thursday  of 
Augiist,  1864.  The  conference  committee  (which  consisted  of  the  names  given 
above  in  section  627  of  this  Digest,  together  with  Elder  John  Randolph  Tucker) 
submitted  at  that  meeting  the  plan  of  union  drawn  uj)  by  the  joint  committees,  in 
its  recent  sitting  <at  Lynchburg.  This  plan  of  union,  as  amended  and  adopted  by 
the  General  Assembly,  in  May,  1864,  was  unanimoush'  adopted  August  26,  1864, 
after  which  the  Synod  ceased  to  exist  as  a  separate  body. 

Maryville  College  was  turned  over  to  the  United  Synod  by  the  Synod  of  Tennes- 
see in  1859.  Rev.  J.  J  Robinson,  D.  D.,  its  president,  was  appointed  financial 
agent  in  1860.  At  the  union  the  control  was  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Nashville. 
Steps  were  taken  for  the  founding  of  a  Theological  Seminary.  In  1860  over 
$70,000  were  subscribed  and  partly  paid  in  for  this  purpose.  Rev.  Joseph  C. 
Stiles,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  professor  of  theology. — A. 

629.  Melations  with  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

1861,  pp.  7,  10.  Rev.  Henry  Quigg,  delegate  from  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  South,  bore  the  fraternal  greetings  of  that  body 
of  Christians. 

P.  9.  A  paper  introduced  by  Judge  Swayne,  on  the  subject  of  a 
union  between  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of 
America  and  other  churches  of  like  faith  and  order,  was  referred  to  a 
special  committee,  consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  elder  from  each 
Synod  in  connection  with  this  Assembly. 

Dr.  McMullen,  Dr.  Ramsay,  Dr.  Chapman,  Dr.  Adger,  Dr.  Pratt,  A. 
B.  McCorkle,  R.  Mclunis,  A.  H.  Caldwell,  T.  R.  Welch,  R.  F.  Bimting, 
ministers;  with  W.  F.  C.  Gregory,  J.  H.  Dickson,  L.  B.  Thornton,  T. 
C  Perrin,  W.  Ardis,  James  Montgomery,  W.  H.  Simj^son,  D.  Hadden, 
J.  T.  Swaj-ne,  and  E.  T.  Wright,  ruhng  elders,  were  appointed  on  this 
committee. 

P.  35.  The  report  of  this  committee,  after  being  amended,  was  cor- 
dially and  unanimously  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 


Seo.  629.  j        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Otheb  Bodies.  407 

The  commH.tee  to  whom  was  I'eferred  the  jiaper  in  reference  to  closer 
union  and  communion  amongst  Christians  in  the  Confederate  States, 
beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 

As  the  childi-en  of  God  compose  the  body  of  Clirist,  he  being  the 
Head,  it  is  highly  desirable  that  all  who  have  the  Head,  having  the  same 
Lord  Jesus  for  their  elder  brother,  the  same  sa\ing  faith  in  that  Lord, 
the  same  Holy  SiDiiit  baptizing  and  comforting  them,  the  same  God 
and  Father,  and  the  same  calling  and  hope,  should,  as  far  as  practi- 
cable, be  the  same  in  all  things  in  Christ.  This  Assembly  expresses, 
also,  its  earnest  desire  for  a  cordial  union  of  all  those  who  agree  with 
them  in  doctrinal  principles  and  church  polity.  To  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  South,  who  have  several  times  heretofore  conferred 
with  us,  and  who  have  so  kindly  and  fraternally  greeted  us  on  the 
present  occasion,  the  Assembly  feels  drawn  with  the  strongest  cords  of 
brotherly  love  Theirs  is  a  precious  ancestry,  who  gave  a  noble  testi- 
mony for  truth,  lifting  up  a  glorious  banner  against  error,  and  battHng 
faithfully  for  Christ  and  his  crown.  Towards  them  our  hearts  go  out 
in  cordial  attection ;  and  the  Assembly'  feels  that  at  the  present  time, 
and  under  the  present  afflic^tive  circumstances  that  surround  both  de- 
nominations, no  ordinary  difficulties  should  be  allowed  to  keep  them 
asunder. 

Both  have  the  same  faith  and  pohtv,  the  same  Heavenly  Father,  and 
precious  Jesus,  and  Holy  Comforter;  with  one  heart  and  hope;  bear- 
ing substantially  the  same  name,  contending  against  the  same  enemy, 
and  having  the  same  symbols.  ^Vliy,  then,  should  they  compose  two 
denominations  ? 

Li  regard  to  psalmody  which  separates  us,  this  Assembly  already 
have  tifty-two  of  the  psalms  used  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Chm'ch 
in  our  book  of  praise,  and  now  propose  that,  when  another  edition  is 
published,  which  must  of  necessity  be  at  an  early  day,  they  will  publish 
the  entire  one  hundred  and  fifty  psalms  at  the  beginning  of  the  book,  if 
that  Avill  be  satisfactory  to  that  sister  Church.  This  action  will  bring 
both  bodies  nearer  to  the  practice  of  the  good  old  mother  Chui'ch  of 
Scotland  and  Ireland,  from  which  both  churches  have  descended,  as  she 
uses  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  psalms,  together  with  paraphrases  and 
hymns. 

This  Assembly  now  cordially  greets  her  sister,  and  makes  her  this 
offer  of  amity  and  union.  And  that  the  subject  may  be  brought  to  the 
consideration  of  that  entire  body  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  stated 
clerk  of  this  Assembly  is  hereby  directed  to  forward  a  copy  of  this 
paper  to  the  stated  clerk  of  each  Presbyter}^  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  at  an  early  day. 

18G8,  p.  141.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  beg  leave 
to  report :  That  the  address  of  the  delegate  from  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  South  presented  the  fact  that  two  interpretations 
had  been  given  to  the  overture  for  union  made  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly in  1861.  Your  committee  recommend  that  this  Assembly  declare 
that  said  overtiu'e  was  made  in  good  faith;  that  in  proposing  to  make 
all  of  the  Psalms  dear  to  our  Associate  Reformed  brethren  a  part  of  our 
book  of  praise,  we  make  the  proposition  expecting  that  these  Psalms  will 
be  used  in  public  worship  as  well  as  the  other  Psalms  and  hymns,  accord- 
ing to  the  judgment  and  discretion  of  the  minister ;  that  in  px'oposing 
to  make  them  a  part  of  oiu'  book  of  praise,  we  propose  to  place  them  on 
an  equal  footing,  in  all  respects,  with  the  rest  of  the  book.     Adopted. 


408  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

1864,  p.  260.  Tlie  folio-wing  paper  from  the  Associate  Eeformed 
Synod  Avas  read,  and  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign 
Correspondence : 

Faiefield  District,  S.  C,  February  3,  1864. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir:  I  furnish  you  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Eeformed  Synod  in  reference  to  union  with  the  General  Assembly. 

"  The  subject  of  union  with  the  General  Assembly  having  been 
brought  up,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Murphj^,  it  was — 

"  liesolfed,  1st,  That  we  defer  action  for  the  present,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  smallness  of  this  meeting,  and  of  the  want  of  information  in 
reference  to  the  w-ishes  of  three  of  the  Presbyteries. 

"  He  solved,  'Ind,  That  from  the  facts  elicited  in  the  progress  of  these 
negotiations,  we  are  encouraged  to  hope  that  this  union  will  be  even- 
tually consummated." 

These  resolutions  were  adoj)ted  at  our  last  meeting  in  September, 
1863,  at  Ebenezer,  Jefferson  county,  Ga. 

Yours  truly,  J.  Boyce. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

This  committee  repHed  that  no  further  action  was  necessary  at  this 
time.     (P.  280.) 

1866,  p.  30.  The  Associate  Eeformed  Synod,  at  its  last  sessions, 
terminated  the  negotiations  for  an  organic  union  with  this  Assembly. 

P.  SO.  The  Assembly,  laying  aside  ecclesiastical  etiquette,  would 
affectionately  say  to  their  brethren  of  the  Associate  Eeformed  Synod, 
that  they  may  pull  the  latch-string  of  our  dwelling  whenever  they  may 
choose,  and  may  be  incorporated  with  us,  upon  the  simj^le  adoption  of 
oui'  standards  wherever  they  may  happen  to  differ  from  their  own. 

630.  Alabama  Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

1866,  p.  16.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  reported  Over- 
ture No.  9,  Avith  an  answer,  which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

Overtui'e  No.  9,  resolutions  of  the  Alabama  Presbytery  of  the  As- 
sociate Eeformed  Church,  seeking  a  union  with  this  body,  and  the 
resolutions  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama  in  resiDonse. 

The  resolutions  are  as  follows : 

To  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Asseinbly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 

in  the  United  /States,  in  session  at  3Ieniphis,  Tennessee  : 

Dear  Brother:  The  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama  has  instructed 
me  to  forward  to  the  General  Assembly  the  following  j^apers : 

I.  Action  of  the  Alabama  Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church  on  the  subject  of  imion  with  the  South  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

"  On  the  subject  of  union  with  the  South  Alabama  Presbytery,  the 
following  resoluti(jns  were  moved  and  adopted: 

"  1.  That  we  dissent  from  and  much  regret  the  action  of  our  late 
Synod  in  suspending  negotiations  with  the  Old  School  Presbyterian 
Church,  South,  looking  toward  a  union  with  that  body. 

"  2.  That  we  greatly  desire,  and  will  continue  to  make  efforts,  to  ac- 
complish an  organic  union  with  that  body. 

"  3.  That  having  committed  ourselves  to  the  union,  in  Synod  and  Pres- 
bytery, we  will  persevere  in  the  fear  of  God  to  its  final  accomplishment. 

"Certified  copy  from  Minutes.  John  Miller,  Clerk." 


Sec.  631.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  409 

II.  EesolutioHS  in  response  by  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama : 

Mesolved,  1,  That  we  have  heard  with  satisfaction  and  joy  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  Associate  Eeformed  Presbytery  of  Alabama,  looking  to 
an  organic  union  with  this  body ;  and  we  do  most  heartily  reciprocate 
the  feelings  of  love  and  Christian  regard  expressed  to  us  by  their  del- 
egate, the  Eev.  J.  ]\I.  Young;  and  we  hope  the  day  is  not  far  distant 
when  this  union,  so  devoutly  to  be  desired,  may  be  consummated  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

2.  That  we  overture  the  next  General  Assembly  to  authorize  us  to 
consummate  this  union,  as  soon  as  God  in  his  pro^•idence  may  open  the 
way,  with  this  understanding,  that  we  come  together  as  Presbyteries — 
co-ordinate  Presbyteries — and  that  the  churches  shall  be  indulged  and 
protected  in  the  use  of  their  time-honored  psalmody. 

By  order  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama. 

H.  E.  Eaymond,  Stated  Clerk. 

It  would  be  accordant  with  the  wishes  of  this  Assembly  if  it  could 
immediateh'  consummate,  by  its  own  act,  the  union  which  these  Pres- 
byteries earnestly  desire.  But  in  the  written  constitution  of  our  Church, 
the  erecting,  uniting,  and  dividing  of  Presbyteries  is  enumerated  among 
the  prerogatives  of  Synods.  This  Assembly  does,  therefore,  1st,  au- 
thorize the  Synod  of  Alabama  to  receive  into  union  with  itself  the  Ala- 
bama Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Eeformed  Presbyterian  Church,  pro- 
vided it  shall  adopt  the  Form  of  Government  and  Eules  of  Discipline 
of  our  own  Church,  wherein  they  may  differ  from  theirs;  that  this 
Presbytery  be  received  as  co-ordinate  with  the  Presbyter}^  of  South 
Alabama :  that  the  Synod,  after  this  reception,  proceed  to  dissolve  the 
two  Presbyteries,  which,  if  continued,  will  cover  one  and  the  same  ter- 
ritoiy ;  that  out  of  the  constituents  of  these  bodies  they  form  a  new 
Presbytery,  the  ministers  of  which  shall  be  enrolled  according  to  their 
seniority'  in  their  ordination. 

2.  This  Assembly  recognizes,  as  preceding  Assemblies  have  done, 
the  right  of  our  members  t(;  use  the  old  psalmody,  commonly  known 
as  Eouses  Version,  if  they  prefer  it,  and  will  protect  the  ministers  and 
churches  thus  received  into  connection  with  us  from  the  Associate  Ee- 
formed Church  in  the  use  of  that  psalmody,  to  which  they  have  so  long 
been  accustomed. 

3.  That  the  same  order  may  be  observed  by  other  Synods,  in  the  re- 
ception of  organized  Presbyteries  of  the  Associate  Eeformed  Church 
within  their  b(junds,  if  need  so  recjuire,  without  further  action  of  this 
body. 

631.  Associate  Mcfonned  Presbytery  of  Kentucky. 

1870,  p.  521.     The  following  was  adopted: 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  have  considered  the  request  of 
the  cf)mmittee  of  the  Synod  of  Kentuck}',  that  the  Assembly  will  express 
its  judgment  concerning  the  propriety  and  expediency  of  organic  vmion 
with  the  Associate  l^eformed  Presbytery  of  Kentucky,  and  beg  leave  to 
report  to  the  Assembly  for  its  adoption  the  following  resolutions: 

Jiesolt'cd,  That  this  Assembly  does  hereby  express  its  hearty  appro- 
bation of  the  action  of  the  SA'nod  in  this  matter  of  organic  union  with 
the  Associate  Eeformed  Presbytery  of  Kentucky,  on  the  following 
terms,  viz. : 

The  Committee  of  Conference  on  Unions  recognizing  the  fact  that  the 


410  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekal  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

bodies  are  one  in  doctrine,  government  and  discipline,  and  that  the 
difference  between  them  on  the  subject  of  psalmody  is  a  proper  matter 
of  forbearance,  agree  to  the  following  propositions: 

1st,  That  the  Associate  Eeformed  chmrches,  in  their  worship  and  in 
the  ministration  of  the  gospel,  shall  be  undisturbed  in  theii'  usages. 

2d,  That  the  Synod  will  secure,  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  insertion 
of  an  acceptable  version  of  the  Psalms  in  the  general  book  of  praise. 

3d,  That  on  the  acceptance  of  these  terms  by  each  body,  the  Asso- 
ciate Eeformed  congregations  and  ministers,  being  received  as  a  Pres- 
bytery, shall  become  connected  with  the  Presbyteries  of  Synod  most 
convenient  to  them. 

The  following  explanatory  resolution  was  adopted : 

Hesolved,  4th,  By  the  terms  of  the  second  proposition  in  the  basis  of 
union  is  meant,  that  Synod  will  secm-e,  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  in- 
sertion in  the  general  book  of  praise  of  that  edition  of  Rouse's  Ver- 
sion now  in  use  in  the  Associate  Eeformed  Church,  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  those  churches  in  our  connection  that  may  desire  to  use  it. 
(See  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  1869,  p.  7.) 

The  Assembly,  in  this  conuection,  adopted  the  resohitiou,  found  elsewhere,  in- 
structing the  Committee  of  Publication  to  insert  Rouse's  Version  of  the  Psalms  in 
the  book  of  praise,  as  a  part  of  the  authorized  psalmody  of  the  Church. — A. 

682.    I^7iion  loith  the  lnde2yendent  Presbyterian  Churcli. 

1863,  p.  141.  Intimations  have  reached  your  committee  that  there 
exists  a  willingness  on  the  part  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Chrn-ch 
to  unite  with  us,  if  a  satisfactory  basis  of  union  can  be  agreed  upon. 
Your  committee  recommend  that  the  whole  subject  of  a  union  with 
these  brethren  be  referred  to  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  for  their 
consideration  and  action,  should  they  deem  it  expedient.     Adopted. 

The  Assembly  appointed  Eev.  J.  E.  White  delegate,  to  convey  its 
fraternal  greetings  to  the  convention  of  this  Church.  This  brother  re- 
ported : 

1864,  p.  282.  According  to  the  appointment  oi  the  last  Assembly, 
it  was  my  privilege  to  convey  to  the  convention  of  the  Independent 
Presbyterian  Church  the  salutations  of  our  Chvurch.  The  Assembly 
will  be  pleased  to  learn  that  our  mission  has  resulted  in  the  union  of 
that  body  of  the  Presbyterian  family  with  our  own  Chm'ch,  on  the  basis 
proposed  by  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  to  whom  the  subject  was 
referred  by  the  last  Assembly. 

We  api^end  the  following  historical  matter  as  exj^lanatory  of  the  above  act  of 
union,  giving  the  steps  by  which  it  was  effected : 

Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  Noccntbrr  5,  186:1 
"Rev.  J.  E.  White,  delegate  of  Geiaeral  Assembly  to  the  Independent  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  presented  to  Synod  the  following  paper,  adojjted  by  said  Churc^h  at 
their  recent  meeting,  conte'mplating  a  union  betwixt  themselves  and  the  .\ssembly, 
and  also  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel  in  relation  thereto : 

"Hopewell  Church,  York  District,  S.  C,  August  \4:th,  1863. 

"The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of  union  with  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  offered  for  consideration  and  action  of  the  convention  the  following 
resolutions,  which     ....     were  unanimously  adopted,  viz. : 

' '  Resolved,  Int,  That,  in  our  opinion,  the  time  has  now  fully  come  when,  laying 
aside  all  prejudices  and  party  feelings,  and  with  an  earnest  desire,  bj'  united  coun- 
sel and  effort,  to  advance  the  interests  of  our  common  Lord,  the  Indei^endent 
Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  (";onfederate  States  of  Americra  ought 
to  be  more  closely  in  Christian  fellowship  and  in  ecclesiastical  bonds. 


Sec.  632.]  Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  411 

' '  Resolved,  2d,  That,  as  a  basis  of  union,  the  committee  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  f olloxsing  articles : 

"Aeticle  I.  We,  the  Independent  Presbyterians,  do  consent  to  transfer  our 
membership  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  capacity  of  regular  churches  of 
Christ,  with  our  ministers,  elders,  and  deacons,  recognized  and  received  in  the 
character  and  office  which  pertain  to  them  severally,  we  having  adopted  the  Pres- 
byterian systems  of  faith  and  government,  to  he  henceforward  subject  to  the  laws 
and  regulations  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

"Article  II.  All  the  lands,  church  edifices,  and  the  appurtenances,  books,  li- 
braries, and  funds  belonging  to  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church  to  be  dis- 
posed of  in  such  way  as  the  Church  may  enact  pre^'ious  to  her  transition  into  the 
connection  herein  contemplated. 

"AitxicLE  III.  In  virtue  of  the  rights  and  privileges  guaranteed  in  the  above 
articles,  we,  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  with  the  churches  and  their  officers  in  the 
Independent  Presbyterian  body,  viz.  :  liev.  li.  Y.  Eussel,  Rev.  W.  W.  Carothers, 
Rev.  J.  S.  Bailey,  and  Rev.  W.  W.  Ratchford,  and  Mr.  C.  E.  AVendeuhall,  licen- 
tiate, -with  the  follo^\-iug  churches:  Bullock's  Creek,  Hopewell,  Harmony,  Yorkville, 
Beth  Shiloh,  and  Olivet,  in  York  District,  S.  C. ;  Tabor  and  Salem,  in  Union  Dis- 
trict, S.  C. ;  Olney,  Union,  and  Hephzibah,  in  Gaston  county,  N  C,  do  hereby 
consent  to  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
as  containing  the  general  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
the  Form  of  Government  and  Book  of  Discii^line  of  said  Church  as  in  accordance 
with  Scripture  and  the  general  dictates  of  justice  and  prudence. 

"On  motion,  it  was 

"  Besolvi'd,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  and  articles  be  furnished  to  Rev.  J. 
E.  White,  the  delegate  of  the  General  Assembly  jjresent,  to  be  by  him  laid  before 
Bethel  Presbytery  at  its  meeting  in  October  next,  and  also  l)efore  the  Synod  of 
South  Carolina  at  its  meeting  in  November  next.  R.  Y.  Rissel,  Muderatm: 

"S.  Alexander,  Clerk. 

"The  Presbytery  of  Bethel  having  been  officially  informed  of  the  recent  action 
of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Chiirch,  in  convention  at  Hopewell  Church,  Y'ork 
District,  August  5th,  18()3,  would  convey  to  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  their  un- 
reserved confidence  in  the  brethren  of  that  Church,  from  whom  we  have  been 
separated  for  half  a  century.  To  perpetuate  such  a  division  in  our  Presbj'terian 
family  would  do  violence  to  aU  our  past  history,  which  has  always  honored  every  ap- 
plication for  union  with  us,  based  on  the  subscription  to  our  Confession  of  Faith. 
Since  every  obstacle  is  now  removed,  most  earnestly  would  we  overture  the  Synod 
of  South  Carolina  that  they  would  receive  as  a  body  into  their  ecclesiastical  relations 
the  Independent  Presbyterian  ('hiirch,  whose  proposal  for  union,  based  on  their 
subscription  to  our  confession,  is  before  them  at  their  present  sessions.  To  escape 
any  approach  to  an  '  elective  athuity, '  we  would  also  invoke  the  amalgamation  of  the 
Independent  Presbyterian  Church  with  the  Bethel  Presbytery,  und  to  appoint  a 
time  and  j)lace  for  the  early  consummation  of  the  union. 

"Wm.  Banks,  Stated  Clerk.  P.  W.  Enw^N,  Moderator." 

Whereupon  it  was— 

KcHolred,  That  these  papers  be  refeiTcd  to  a  committee  of  one  minister  and  one 
elder  from  each  Presbytery:  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Buist,  J.  L.  Wilson,  Cunningham 
and  Saye,  and  Elders  Simpson,  Wardlaw,  Aiken  and  Wylie  were  appointed. 

This  committee,  on  the  following  evening,  submitted  a  report,  which  was  amended 
and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

"The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  papers  from  the  Independent  Presby- 
terian Church  on  the  subject  of  uniting  with  our  body  have  given  it  a  careful  and 
deliberate  examination,  and  cannot  but  express  the  satisfacticm  it  gives  them  to  find 
such  a  willingness  as  that  body  expresses  to  unite  with  us  by  the  adoption  of  our 
Confession  of  Faith.  The  committee  feel  that  a  cordial  and  hearty  adoption  of  our 
confession  is  the  only  true  ground  cm  which  we  can  recei\  e  any  t  celt  siastical  body, 
and  they  are  assured  that  this  is  what  that  body  is  ready  to  do. 

"To  heal  schism  and  division  in  the  Church  is  not  only  a  delightful,  but  a  holy 
and  heavenly  work ;  and  we  feel  that  the  smile  of  our  Master  is  upon  us  when  we 
can  thus  build  up  his  kingdom,  and  thus  we  meet  our  Independent  Presbyterian 
brethren  with  open  arms  and  hearty  welcome,  .\fter  a  long  separation,  we,  one 
great  Presbyterian  family,  thus  come  to  walk  in  the  old  ways  of  our  fathers,  and 
rejoice  in  the  glorious  system  of  doctrines  and  church  order  which  our  common 
ancestors  sustained  with  their  testimony  even  unto  death;  therefore, 

'' Resolri'd,  \st,   That  the  Synod  jn-aise  and  bless  God  with  thankful  hearts  for 


412  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  VII. 

the  prospect  of  a  union  with  oiar  brethren  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  express  their  confidence  in  them  as  true  and  genuine  Presbyterians. 

"  Eesolred,  2d,  That  Bethel  Presbytery  be  directed  to  meet  on  Friday  after  the 
first  Sabbath  of  December,  at  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.,  at  Yorkville,  and  receive  these 
ministers  and  churches  to  their  body  as  soon  as  they  shall  receive  and  adopt  the 
Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  as  con- 
taining the  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

' '  Resolved^  M,  That  a  copy  of  this  report  be  forwarded  to  the  convention  of  the 
Independent  Presbyterian  Church  by  our  stated  clerk." 

The  Presbytery  of  Bethel  met  as  thiTS  ordered,  and  effected  the  union  with  the 
convention,  whose  moderator  at  the  time  was  Kev.  W.  W.  Carothers. 

This  Church  had  its  origin  aboiit  the  year  1810,  when  Rev.  W.  C.  Davis  withdrew 
from  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Its  membership  was  confined 
to  the  upper  parts  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina  and  adjacent  parts  of  North 
Carolina. 

In  the  si)ring  of  1856,  a  basis  of  union  between  Bethel  Presbytery  and  the  con- 
vention of  Independents  was  agreed  upon,  and  that  Presbytery  sent  Eev.  W.  J. 
McCormick  as  a  delegate  to  the  Assembly,  to  urge  that  body  to  ratify  the  agree- 
ment and  articles  of  union.     This  the  Assembly  declined  to  do.  — A. 

633.    Union  loith  the  Synod  of  Kentticky. 

1867,  p.  133.  The  Eev.  Dr.  J-.  E.  Wilson  announced  to  the  Assem- 
bl}-  that  a  delegation  to  this  body  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  was 
present;  "wheretipon  it  was  resolved  that  this  delegation  be  immedi- 
ately introduced  and  heard.  The  following  commissioners  from  that 
Synod  then  appeared,  bearing  a  communication  to  the  Assemblv,  viz. : 
Eev.  J.  T.  Hendrick,  D.  D.,  Eev.  J.  D.  Matthews,  D.  D.,  Eev  Stuart 
Eobinson,  D.  D.,  Eev.  D.  O.  Davies,  Eev.  G.  O.  Barnes,  and  Euling 
Elders  Samuel  Casseday,  E.  S.  Edmonds,  and  Glass  Marshall. 

The  Eev.  Stuart  Eobinson  proceeded,  in  behalf  of  these  commission- 
ers, to  address  the  General  Assembly,  presenting  the  views  and  pur- 
poses under  which  they  had  been  delegated  by  their  Synod. 

At  the  close  of  this  address,  it  was  resolved  that  the  su.bject  pre- 
sented, together  with  the  communications  handed  in  by  the  commis- 
sioners, be  referred  to  a  special  committee  of  nine.  This  committee 
was  appointed,  to  consist  of  the  Eev.  James  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  Eev.  E. 
Hett  Chairman,  D.  D.,  Eev.  J.  E.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Eev.  John  Jones,  Eev. 
T.  E.  Markham,  Eev.  J.  A.  Lefevre,  with  Euhng  Elders  P.  P.  Batte, 
James  Hemphill,  and  John  A.  Leland.  It  was  also  resolved  that  the 
commissioners  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  be  requested  to  meet  with 
this  committee  for  conference. 

P.  143.  The  report  of  the  committee  concerning  the  letter  from  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky  was  taken  up,  and  the  members  of  the  delegation 
from  that  Synod  were  invited  to  participate  in  the  discussion. 

The  paper  reported  by  the  committee  concerning  the  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky was  unanimously  adopted.  After  its  adoption,  deeply  interest- 
ing addresses  were  made  by  Eev.  Dr.  Stuart  Eobinson,  Eev.  Dr.  J.  D. 
Matthews,  Eev.  G.  O.  Barnes,  and  Eev.  D.  O.  Davies ;  to  which  the 
moderator  made  a  suitable  response.  At  the  close  of  these  addresses, 
the  Eev.  G.  O.  Barnes,  at  the  request  of  the  moderator,  led  the  As- 
sembly in  thanksgivmg  to  God  for  the  happy  result  which  had  been 
reached;  and  tlien  all  present  arose  and  sang  the  hymn,  "Blest  be 
the  tie  that  binds,"  etc. 

The  following  is  the  paper: 

P.  144.  The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  letter  of  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  having  given  it  a  careful  consideration,  beg  leave 
to  submit  the  following  report : 


Sec.  633.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  413 

The  letter  contains  a  statement  of  the  doctrines  and  principles  for 
which  this  S^Tiod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  been  contending-  for  the 
last  seven  years,  and  lays  this  statement  before  the  General  Assembly 
as  the  basis  of  a  covenant  upon  which  this  S^oiod  may  form  an  organic 
union  with  us.  It  is,  of  course,  not  desired  by  this  Synod  that  this 
paper  should  constitute  any  part  of  our  doctrinal  symbols  or  our  writ- 
ten constitution,  these  being  already  estabhshed  in  such  a  form  as  the 
Assembly  have,  in  other  cases  of  vmion,  either  formed  or  proposed,  dis- 
tinctly declared  its  unwillingness  to  disturb.  Nor  is  it  desired,  we  pre- 
sume, by  the  Synod,  that  the  Assembly  should  enter  into  the  contro- 
versies that  have  disturbed  this  body  during  the  past  seven  years,  or 
pronounce  upon  them  in  detail.  The  desire  of  the  Synod,  as  we  appre- 
hend it,  is  the  veiy  natural  and  proper  desire,  to  be  assured  that  we 
are  in  such  substantial  agreement  with  them  in  the  principles  and  doc- 
trines for  which  they  have  been  contending,  that  they  will  not  be  likely 
to  have  a  recurrence  of  the  difficulties  from  which  they  have  already 
suffered  so  much.  This  agreement  the  Assembly  can  declare  without 
any  difficulty,  since  the  whole  existence  of  our  Church  as  a  separate 
organization  has  been  an  assertion  of  these  principles,  and  a  protest 
against  those  acts  and  doctrines  that  tend  to  subvert  them.  In  the 
fu"st  official  announcement,  at  Augusta,  of  our  ecclesiastical  existence, 
in  the  pastoral  letter  issued  by  the  Assembly  at  Macon,  and  in  the 
action  of  the  last  Assembly  at  Memphis,  these  great  principles  have 
been  declared  in  the  most  solemn  and  emphatic  manner,  as  among-  the 
fundamental  principles  of  our  ecclesiastical  organization.  And  we  have 
looked  on  the  struggles  of  our  brethren  in  Kentucky  with  a  deeper 
sympathy  and  a  Hvelier  interest,  because  we  felt  that  they  were  contend- 
ing- substantially  for  the  grand  principles  which  have  ever  been  the 
rallying  cr}^  of  our  Presbyterian  ancestry  in  the  best  days  of  the 
Chm'ch's  history — the  supremacy  of  Christ's  crown  and  covenant.  And 
we  are  sure  that  should  our  brethren  see  fit  to  enter  into  organic  rela- 
tions with  us,  they  will  find  that  substantial  agreement  in  all  these 
great  doctrines  and  principles  which  is  necessary  to  a  cordial  and  a 
happy  union.  We  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
resolutions,  viz. : 

Mesolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  express  its  deep  sympathy  with  our 
brethren  in  Kentucky  in  the  trovibles  through  which  they  have  been 
passing  during-  the  last  seven  years,  and  its  admiration  of  the  firm  stand 
which  they  have  taken  for  the  spiritual  independence  of  the  Chui'ch  of 
Christ. 

2.  That  this  General  Assembly  declines  now,  as  heretofore,  to  make 
any  utterance  concerning  the  acts  of  the  body  against  which  the  Sjniod 
protests.  Yet  the  Assembly  feels  free  solemnly  to  assure  the  Sjniod  of 
Kentucky  not  only  of  our  ccu'dial  approval  of,  and  sincere  conciu-rence 
substantially  in,  the  Synod's  statement  of  doctrine  and  constitutional 
principles,  as  contained  under  the  four  heads  of  the  third  divisiun  of 
their  letter,  but  of  our  sincere  joy  to  find  our  brethren  of  Kentucky  so 
ready  to  unite  with  us  in  solemn  covenant,  with  a  view,  among  other 
things,  to  the  advancement  and  maintenance  of  these  doctrines  and 
principles  as  against  the  apparent  Erastian  tendencies  of  our  American 
Protestantism. 

3.  That  the  letter  of  the  SvTiod  of  Kentuck}'  be  admitted  to  record, 
as  they  suggest,  as  a  part  of  the  historical  acts  and  monuments  of  the 


414  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Church,  by  publishing-  it  in  the  Appendix  to  the  minutes  of  this  As- 
sembly. 

4.  That  this  Assembly  cordially  approves  of  the  determination  of  the 
S\Tiod  of  Kentucky,  as  expressed  in  the  fourth  resolution  of  its  minutes 
of  June  28, 1867,  communicated  by  its  commissioners  to  this  Assembly, 
to  assert  fully  all  its  legal  claims  as  a  part  of  the  "Presbyterian  Church 
of  the  United  States  of  America,"  and  to  reserve  all  its  legal  rights 
of  property  as  a  Synod  in  any  union  which  may  be  formed  with  this 
body. 

5.  That  this  Assembly  assures  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  of  a  cordial 
welcome.  And  its  Standing  Committee  on  Commissions  is  hereby  in- 
structed to  receive  and  enroll,  without  further  order,  commissioners 
properly  accredited  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Ebenezer,  Louisville, 
Muhlenburg,  Paducah,  Transylvania  and  West  Lexington. 

1868,  p.  264.  The  Rev.  Robert  L.  Breck  was  introduced  to  the  As- 
sembly as  a  delegate  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and  dehvered  an 
address  conveying  the  assui'ance  of  the  kind  feeling,  sympathy  and 
confidence  of  that  body,  and  explaining  its  present  position  in  regard 
to  an  organic  connection  with  this  Assembly.  To  this  address  an  ap- 
propriate response  was  made  by  the  moderator. 

P.  281.  Rev.  J.  A.  Lefevre  was  appointed  principal,  and  Rev.  E. 
W.  Bedinger  alternate  commissioner,  to  convey  to  the  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky the  salutations  of  this  body. 

1869,  p.  369.  The  stated  clerk  reported  that  the  Committee  on  Com- 
missions have  enrolled  commissioners  from  the  Presb}i;eries  of  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  the  Assembly  of 
1867. 

634.  Letter  from  Synod  of  Kentucky. 

1867,  p.  178.  Letter  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  to  the  General  As- 
sembly at  Nashville : 

The  Synod  <>f  Kentucky  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 

United  States,  to  meet  in  Nashville  on  the  list  day  of  November,   A.  D.    1867: 

Grace,  mercy  and,  peace  be  midtipUed  unto  you. 

Fatheks  and  Brethren,  Beloved  in  the  Lord  :  It  is  probably  known  to  most  of 
you,  that  for  the  space  of  seven  years  past,  even  from  the  period  of  the  separation 
of  the  Southern  churches  from  the  churches  of  the  North,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
and  its  Presbyteries  have  been  disturbed  with  controversies  upon  issues  raised  by  a 
series  of  acts  of  the  residual  Assembly,  all,  more  or  less,  growing  out  of  the  deliver- 
ance which  was  prominent  among  the  causes  of  the  separation  of  the  Southern  from 
the  Northern  churches. 

As  a  final  result  of  these  controversies,  but  with  immediate  reference  to  the  act 
of  the  Assembly  of  1867,  declaring  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  no  longer  a  true 
Synod  and  Presbyteries  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  at  its 
sessions  held  in  Lexington  on  the  2Sth  day  of  Jime  last,  made  the  following  among 
other  declarations  : 

1.  That  the  acts  above  recited,  being  in  their  nature  schismatical,  revolutionary, 
and  despotic,  and  in  violation  of  all  the  covenants  of  the  constitiition,  and  destruc- 
tive of  the  constitution  itself,  are  null  and  void,  and  of  no  binding  force  upon  the 
Presbyteries  and  churches  ;  neither  do  they  have  any  valid  effect  in  depriving  those 
who  refuse  to  submit  to  them  of  any  of  their  rights,  either  ecclesiastical  or  civil,  as 
guaranteed  in  the  constitution. 

2.  That  from  the  moment  of  the  passage,  by  the  late  Assembly,  of  that  act,  by 
which  the  constitutional  representatives  of  twelve  Presbyteries — composing  two 
large  Synods,  and  covering  the  whole  of  the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  em- 
bracing some  one  hundred  and  fifty  ministers,  two  hundred  and  fifty  churches, 
five  hundred  ruling  elders,  and  fifteen  thousand  communicants — were  excluded 
from  their  seats  in  the  Assembly,  and  certain  persons  admitted  to  those  seats  com- 


Sec.  634.]         Eelations  of  the  CnrRCH  with  Other  Bodies.  415 

ing  from  bodies  unknown  to  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  unprecedented  in  her 
history,  and  under  the  operation  of  an  act  (the  ipso  facto  order  of  1866)  utterly  sub- 
versive of  the  fundamental  principles  of  Presbyterian  government  as  laid  down  in 
the  Word  of  God ;  and  all  this  manifestly  and  avowedly  for  the  accomplishment  of 
an  unlawful  and  cruel  purpose  against  certain  ministers  and  elders  in  the  Church, — 
that  body  ceased  any  longer  to  be  a  constitutional  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States,  and  became  a  sohismatical  and  revolutionary 
body,  no  longer  governed  by,  or  representative  of,  the  constitution,  but  controlled 
simply  by  the  will  of  the  majority. 

3.  That  the  General  Assembly  having  thus  abandoned  the  constitution  and 
broken  its  covenants,  and  having  assumed  to  itself  the  character  and  powers  of  a 
hierarchical  autocracy,  and  having  thus,  by  its  own  acts,  separated  itself  from  the 
Synod  and  Presbyteries  which  compose  it,  and  those  who  with  us  are  standing  fast 
by  the  Word  of  God  and  the  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  this  Synod 
now  makes  solemn  declaration  of  this  fact  upon  its  records,  and  further  declares 
that  in  its  f  utiire  action  it  will  be  governed  by  this  recognized  sundering  of  all  its 
relations  to  the  aforesaid  body  by  the  acts  of  that  body  itself. 

4.  That,  nevertheless,  this  Synod,  with  its  Presbyteries,  churches  and  people, 
still  true  to  the  native  instincts  of  a  genuine  Presbyterianism,  and  unwilling  to 
stand  isolated  from  their  brethren,  desires  still  to  be  in  communion  and  organic 
union  with  all  who  maintain  the  principles  of  church  order  so  dear  to  our  fathers 
and  so  dear  to  lis  ;  and  it  becomes  a  first  duty  to  ascertain  whether  such  union  can 
be  formed,  and  to  what  extent. 

5.  That  there  is  doubtless  a  remnant  scattered  throughout  the  bounds  of  the 
Northern  General  Assembly  itself  which  will  in  due  time  avail  itself  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  uniting  with  the  excluded  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri  in  a  common 
alliance  with  all  who  maintain  the  non-political  sphere  of  the  Church,  and  the 
supremacy  of-  the  constitution,  in  the  work  of  extending  once  more  the  true  Old 
School  Presbyterian  Assembly  over  the  whole  country. 

fi.  That  the  Synod  rejoices  in  the  belief  that  the  Southern  Presbyterian  churches 
and  church  courts  have,  iu  a  good  degree,  preserved  pure  and  unimpaired  the  con- 
stitutional Presbyterianism  of  the  undivided  Church  from  1837  to  1861,  as  appears 
from  the  official  acts  of  the  Southern  Assembly  in  1861,  and  again  in  1865  and 
1866  ;  in  the  latter  deliverance,  proposing  the  very  principles  for  which  this  Synod 
has  contended  as  the  platform  upon  which  to  unite  all  of  like  principles  against 
the  Erastian  tendencies  of  the  Protestantism  of  these  times.  And,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  this  Synod,  this  state  of  facts  suggests  the  inquiry  whether  this  large  and 
completely  organized  body  of  Southern  Presbyterians  does  not  present  the  proper 
and  desirable  nucleus  around  which  may  rally  all  the  true  Old  School  Presbyte- 
rianism of  the  country,  and  whether  immediate  steps  should  not  be  taken  to  bring 
about  this  general  alliance  of  the  several  portions  of  true  Presbyterians,  if  they  are 
satisfied  that  the  Southern  churches  are  standing  fast  to  these  great  principles,  as 
speedily  as  their  circumstances  severally  will  permit. 

7.  That  it  is  our  desire  to  unite  and  co-operate  with  the  Presbyteries  and  Synod 
of  Missouri  in  maintaining  the  C(mstitutiou  of  the  Church  and  our  joint  rights  cov- 
enanted therein,  and  of  perpetuating  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  ('hurch  in  the 
United  States,  as  that  Church  existed  from  1837  to  1861  inclusive. 

8.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  this  whole  subject, 
and  prepare  and  rept>rt  for  the  consideration  of  Synod  at  its  stated  meeting  in  Octo- 
ber next,  a  carefully  considered  statement  of  the  doctrines  and  principles  for  which 
this  Synod  and  its  Presliyteries  have  been  contending  in  the  controversies  with  the 
Genei'al  Assembly  during  seven  years  past,  particularly  the  principles  maintained 
by  this  Synt)d  iu  the  interpretation  of  our  standards  touching  the  spiritual  and 
non-political  nature  and  functions  of  the  Church,  the  limitation  of  the  powers  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  the  incompetency  of  any  court  of  the  Church  to  add  to  or 
subtract  from  the  terms  of  ministerial  and  Christian  communion  therein,  with  a 
view  to  lay  the  same  before  the  General  Assembly  to  be  holden  in  Nashville  in  No- 
vember next,  as  the  basis  of  a  covenant  upon  which  this  Synod  may  form  an  organic 
union  with  that  body. 

9.  That  at  its  stated  meeting  in  October  next,  this  Synod  will  appoint  delegates 
to  attend  ui)ou  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly  oi  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
to  meet  at  Nashville  in  November  next,  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  to  that  body 
our  fraternal  greetings,  and  opening  with  them  a  correspondence.  And  we  invite 
the  Synod  of  Missouri  to  unite  ^^•ith  us  in  sending  similar  delegates  to  that  body, 
to  the  end  that  the  way  may  be  prepared  for  an  organic  union  between  these  Synods 
and  that  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  at  as 


416  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Geneeae  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

early  a  day  as  such  union  can  be  effected  without  detriment  to  any  of  the  interests 
of  the  several  parties. 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  and  tenor  of  the  foregoing  declarations,  and  in 
obedience  to  the  specific  instructions  of  the  Synod,  the  committee  appointed  under 
the  eighth  of  the  foregoing  declarations  have  prepared  and  reported,  and  this 
Synod,  after  due  consideration,  has  solemnly  adopted,  the  following  statement  of 
the  acts  of  the  Assembly  iipon  which  the  issues  have  been  raised,  and  of  the  doc- 
trines and  principles  maintained  by  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries,  and  which 
they  desire  to  stand  as  their  testimony  for  the  truth  and  order  of  Christ's  hoiise, 
and  to  be  substantially  the  basis  of  a  covenant  upon  which  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
may  form  an  organic  union  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States. 

We  deem  it  scarcely  necessary,  fathers  and  brethren,  in  view  of  the  sixth  of  the 
foregoing  declarations  made  in  June  last,  to  assure  you  that  it  is  not  because  of 
any  distrust  of  your  faithfulness  to  those  doctrines  and  principles  that  we  have 
thought  of  this  method  of  forming  an  organic  union  with  you  on  the  basis  of  a 
solemn  covenant  agreement  to  maintain  the  doctrines  and  constitutional  principles 
set  forth  in  this  paper.  But  having  been  called  in  the  providence  of  God  to  testify 
specially  for  these  great  doctrines  and  principles,  even  to  the  final  sundering  of  the 
ecclesiastical  ties  that  bound  us  to  our  brethren  of  the  North,  we  deem  it  but  a 
proper  attestation  of  our  earnestness  and  sincerity  in  bearing  this  testimony  to 
claim  for  it  record  and  acknowledgment  as  a  part  of  the  acts  and  monuments 
whereby,  historically,  the  Clnirch  inter^jrets  its  standards.  Nor  do  we  doubt  for  a 
moment  that,  on  solemn  consideration  of  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  of  the  Erastian 
tendencies  of  our  Presbytex'ianism  both  in  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  you 
will  gladly  embrace  the  ojiportunity  offered  by  so  peculiar  an  occasion  to  join  with 
us,  should  a  union  be  formed,  in  a  solemn  covenanted  testimonial  to  the  truths  for 
which  in  common  we  have  been  "contending  earnestly  as  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints;"  and  to  erect  in  the  historical  records  of  the  Church  a  monument 
which  shall  at  once  declare  to  those  that  come  after  us  our  appreciation  of  the  in- 
estimable value  of  these  principles  as  the  bulwark  of  the  Christian  liberty  where- 
with Christ  sets  his  people  free,  and  a  definitely  expressed  statute  testimony,  to 
which  ready  appeal  may  be  made  hereafter  as  direct  a^lthority  in  su^Dport  of  those 
who  stand  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  against  those  who  again  may  treacher- 
ously attempt  to  subvert  the  doctrine  and  order  of  Christ's  house. 

Of  course  we  shall  rejoice  if,  in  your  consideration  of  this  important  matter,  the 
Lord  shall  give  you  light  and  wisdom  largely  to  improve  upon  the  statement  of  the 
true  doctrine  as  against  the  contrary  errors  which  we  here  submit.  It  is  far  from 
our  purpose  to  come  to  you  submitting  the  terms  of  a  covenant  to  be  subscribed. 
We  come  to  lay  before  you  simply,  in  brief  outline,  the  substance  in  the  testimony, 
which  our  circumstances  and  the  practical  issues  raised  with  us  have  compelled  us 
to  bear.  We  have  no  desire  to  jDrocure  the  enactment  in  thesi  of  abstract  state- 
ments of  principles  independent  of  any  case  arising  to  call  for  such  deliverance; 
for  we  have  ever  recognized  the  wisdom  of  the  general  rule,  that,  having  once  ac- 
cepted a  constitution  as  fundamental  law,  it  is  incumbent  upon  the  courts  of  the 
Church  to  attempt  the  determination  only  of  such  issues  as  may  practically  arise  in 
the  outworking  of  the  system,  and  in  tliexi  as  few  cases  as  possible. 

With  this  preliminary  explanation  of  its  origin  and  j)urpose,  we  lay  before  you 
the  following : 

Statement  of  the  Doctrines  and  Principles  for  which  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 

AND  ITS  Presbyteries  have  been  Contending  in  the  Controversies  with  the 

General  Assembly  during  the  past  Seven  Years. 

I.  To  the  end  that  the  testimony  of  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  for  doctrine 

and  order  may  be  more  clearly  understood,  the  following  recital  is  made,  specifically, 

of  the  more  significant  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  General  Assembly  to  which  they 

have  taken  exception,  and  in  i-eference  to  which  their  testimonies  have  been  uttered. 

1.  The  act  of  Asseml)ly  in  1861,  known  as  the  "Spring  llesolations, "  setting  forth 
that  "in  the  spirit  of  Christian  iDatriotism  which  the  Scripture  enjoins,"  the  Assem- 
bly declares  its  obligation  to  promote  and  perjoetuate  the  integrity  of  the  United 
States;  to  uphold  and  strengthen  the  Federal  Government,  and  the  loyalty  of  the 
Assembly  to  the  Constitution.     (Minutes,  18G1,  pp.  329,  330.) 

2.  The  act  of  Assembly  in  1802,  known  as  the  "Breckinridge  Paper,"  declaring 
the  wickedness  of  the  rebellion  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  Union,  and  de- 
nouncing the  traitorous  attempt  to  overthrow  the  National  Government  as  contrary 
to  the  revealed  will  of  Ood;  affirming  that  this  is  done  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the 


Sec.  634]  Eelattons  of  the  Chitrch  with  Other  Bodies.  417 

immense  majority  of  the  jDeojile  in  whom  the  local  sovereifi;nt}'  in  the  Sovithern 
States  resided ;  affirming  that  it  is  the  dutj^  of  the  National  Government  to  crush 
force  by  force,  and  of  the  people  to  iiiDhold  the  Federal  Government  therein ;  de- 
nouncing, without  naming,  certain  office-bearers  and  members  of  churches  in  loyal 
Synods  and  Presbyteries  as  "faithless  to  all  authority,  human  or  divine;"  and  en- 
joining obedience  to  the  civil  government,  not  only  in  overt  act,  but  "in  heart, 
temper,  and  motives,  (as  God's  law  is  to  be  obeyed,)  and  as  they  shall  answer  at  the 
judgment  seat." 

3.  The  elaborate  minute  of  the  Assembly  of  18()3,  upon  the  subject  of  raising  the 
United  States  flag  over  the  church  building  iu  which  the  Assembly  sat;  re-affirming 
the  doctrine  of  the  obligation  of  the  Church,  as  such,  to  proclaim  her  loyalty  to  the 
civil  government.     (Miniites,  18()3,  pp.  2(i  and  57.) 

4.  The  various  acts  of  1864 : 

First,  The  refusal  to  appoint  a  fast  which  providential  circumstances  seemed  to 
call  for,  and  the  appointment  of  a  thanksgiving  instead,  on  the  groiind,  as  assigned 
by  the  mover  and  advocates  of  the  substitute,  that  a  fast-day  appointment  ' '  will 
produce  an  unfavorable  impression  iu  Europe,  and  distress  the  Executive  and  his 
advisers  at  Washington."     (Minutes,  1864,  pp.  267,  270.) 

Second,  The  enjoining  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  just  on  the  eve  of  a 
Presidential  election,  for  the  special  remembrance  and  repentance,  among  other 
things,  of  the  sin  of  having  voted  for  candidates  of  bad  character  against  "candi- 
dates having  every  mental  and  moral  cpialitication."     (Miuiites,  1864,  p.  316.) 

Third,  The  injunction  to  the  congregations  to  petition  the  national  Congress,  as 
a  means  of  getting  an  answer  to  prayer  for  deliverance  from  the  assaults  of  a  most 
groundless  and  wicked  rebellion,  to  amend  the  Federal  constitution  so  as  not  only 
to  acknowledge  "God  the  supreme  Lord  and  King  over  all  the  world,"  but  the 
"Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  governor  among  the  nations,  and  his  revealed  will  as  the 
supreme  law  of  the  land. "     (Minutes,  1864,  p.  315.) 

Fourth,  The  minute  known  as  the  "Stanley  Matthews  Paper,"  adopting  the 
naturalistic  views  of  the  slavery  cpiestion,  and  declaring  the  political  occurrences  of 
the  time  to  be  providential  revelations  of  the  will  of  God  that  every  vestige  of  slavery 
should  be  eliaced;  that  the  motive  for  the  longer  continuance  of  slavery  has  been 
taken  away  by  the  war  of  the  slaveholding  States  in  order  to  found  an  empire  upon 
the  corner-stone  of  slavery ;  expressing  gratitude  to  God  for  overruling  the  wicked- 
ness and  calamities  of  the  rebellion,  to  work  out  the  deliverance  of  the  country  from 
the  evil  and  guilt  of  slavery,  and  the  desire  for  the  extirpation  of  slavery ;  and  re- 
commending all  in  our  communion  "to  labor  earnestly  and  iinweariedly  for  this 
glorious  consummation,  to  whii'h  human  justice  and  Christian  love  combine  to 
pledge  them."     (Minutes,  18fJ4,  pp.  298.  299.) 

Fifth,  The  decisions  in  the  cases  of  the  Eev.  Dr.  McPheeters  and  the  Pine-street 
church,  St.  Louis,  and  of  the  llev.  Mr.  Farris  and  Ruling  Elder  "Watson  and  the  St. 
Charles  church,  Missouri  (Minutes,  1864,  pp.  311,  312),  in  connection  with  subse- 
quent action  in  1866,  in  reference  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri  in 
1865  (Minutes,  1865,  pp.  57(),  577) ;  and  also  in  1866,  giving  the  full  sanction  of  the 
Assembly  to  the  persecution  of  Christ's  ministers  who  could  not  in  conscience  con- 
sent to  pervert  their  office  and  position  to  the  suiDport  of  a  political  party ;  and 
formally  sanctiouiug  the  i)rinciple  that  a  Presbytery  and  Synod  organized  under 
a  provost  marshal,  and  its  members  forbidden  to  take  seats  till  qualified  by  a  mili- 
tary oath,  is  a  free  and  hiwf ul  court  of  Jesus  Christ. 

5.  The  acts  of  Asseml)ly  in  1865,  enforcing  the  principles  of  all  the  foregoing  acts 
as  a  part  of  the  standing  law  of  the  Church,  thus: 

Fird,  ('ondemning  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  for  taking  exception  to  the  Assem- 
bly's paper  on  slavery  iu  18(54,  and  because  the  Synod  "had  wholly  failed  to  make 
any  deliverance  calculated  to  sustain  and  encourage  our  government  in  its  efforts  to 
suppress  a  wanton  and  wicked  rebellion."     (JMiuutes,  1865,  p.  541.) 

Si'coiul,  The  order  to  the  Board  of  Missions  to  appoint  as  missionaries  "none  but 
those  that  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  their  loyalty  to  the  National  Government, 
and  that  they  are  in  cordial  sympathy  with  the  General  Assembly  in  its  testi- 
mony on  doctrine,  loyaltv,  and  freedom."  (Minutes,  18(55,  p.  554;  compare  jip. 
586,  59(1.) 

Third,  The  order  to  all  the  lower  church  courts,  requiring  the  examination  of 
ministers  and  church  members  coming  from  any  of  the  Southern  States,  and  mak- 
ing it  a  condition  precedent  to  admission  to  the  church  [courts  and  churches  that 
they  confess  as  sinful  certain  opinions  before  held  touching  "  State  Kights, "  rebel- 
lion, and  slavery,  not  iu  harmony  with  the  ju-evious  political  utterances  of  the  As- 
sembly. (Minutes,  1865,  p.  566.) 
27 


418  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Fourth,  The  minute  of  the  same  Assembly,  declaring  untruly  that  the  Southern 
chiirches  had  organized  a  General  Assembly  "in  order  to  render  their  aid  in  the 
attempt  to  establish,  by  means  of  the  rebellion,  a  sejjarate  national  existence,  to 
conserve  and  perpetuate  the  system  of  slavery  — a  great  crime  against  the  govern- 
ment and  against  God," — and  therefore  declaring  the  Assembly's  purijose  to  ignore 
the  existence  of  any  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Southern  States,  except  such 
churches  and  Presbyteries  as  are  loyal  to  the  government  of  the  United  States 
and  to  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church,  and  whose  views  are  in  harmony  with  its 
views  on  the  subject  of  domestic  slavery.     (Minutes,  1865,  p.  506.) 

6.  The  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1866,  ordaining  the  exe- 
cution of  the  orders  of  1865 : 

First,  The  exclusion  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Presbytery  at  Louisville  from 
their  seats  in  the  Assembly  by  simple -resolution,  without  hearing,  and  on  premises 
whose  statements  were  utterly  false,  and  one  of  them  defamatory  of  a  minister  in 
good  standing.     (Minutes,  1866,  p.  12.) 

Second,  The  act  ordering  certain  persons — some  of  them  under  process  before  the 
church  session,  and  their  case  under  careful  consideration  before  the  Presbytery — 
to  be  recognized  as  elders  of  the  Walnut-street  church,  without  the  possibility  of 
any  knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  Assembly  whether  they  had  been  duly  elected 
and  were  lawful  ruling  elders  or  not.     (Minutes,  1866,  p.  54.) 

Third,  The  peremptory  expulsion  of  the  commissioner  of  another  Presbytery 
from  a  seat  in  the  Assembly,  by  a  mere  resolution,  on  the  ground  that  he  had,  as  a 
reporter  of  proceedings,  written  a  letter  offensive  to  another  member.  (Minutes 
1866,  p.  58.) 

Fourth,  The  resolution  and  proceedings  initiating  steps  for  organic  re-union  with 
the  New  School  body,  in  utter  disregard  of  the  testimonies  of  1837-'8,  against  errors 
which  not  only  the  New  School  body  had  not  by  any  public  act  renounced,  bi;t,  on 
the  contrary,  had  added  to  largely,  by  its  monstrous  Erastian  deliverances  on  the 
state  of  the  country  in  1863,  '64,  and  '65,  and  the  monstrous  deliverance  just  then 
made,  endorsing  the  civil  rights  bill  and  negi'O  suffrage  as  against  the  President, 
and  calling  for  more  blood  in  ' '  the  condign  punishment  of  the  chief  f omenters  of 
the  rebellion. "  (Proceedings  of  May  25,  1866.)  And  the  further  proceedings  to- 
ward the  consummation  of  the  re-union  in  acts  of  Assembly  of  1867. 

Fifth,  The  action  of  the  same  Assembly  known  as  "the  Gurley  ipso  facto  Order," 
declaring,  lirst,  the  Declaration  and  Testimony  to  be  slanderous  and  schismatical, 
then  summoning  its  signers  directly  to  the  bar  of  the  next  Assembly  for  trial,  with- 
out other  citation  or  other  tabling  of  charges ;  devising  penalties  unknown  to  the 
constitution,  and  utterly  incongruous  to  the  Presbyterian  theory  of  the  teaching- 
rulers,  for  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony ;  and  declaring  the  ipso 
facto  dissolution  of  Presbyteries  which  refused  to  execute  this  unlawful  penalty ; 
also,  the  pastoral  letter  and  the  memorial  adopted  by  the  Assembly  in  reference  to 
the  same  general  subjects.     (Minutes,  1866,  pp.  60,  61.) 

7.  The  action  of  the  Assembly  of  1867  in  executing  a  penalty  of  disobedience  to 
the  orders  of  1865: 

First,  The  adoption  of  the  Encycloptedic  Act  of  the  Assembly,  known  as  the 
"Report  of  the  Committee  of  Ten,"  whereby  were  crowded  into  one  indistinguish- 
able mass  the  judicial  cases  of  near  two  himdred  men,  formally  summoned  to  the 
Assembly ;  cases  of  appeal  referred  to  this  by  the  preceding  Assembly ;  cases  of  irreg- 
ularities and  revolutionary  proceedings  in  Presbyteries  and  Synods ;  cases  of  con- 
tested seats  in  the  Assembly ;  solemn  memorials  and  remonstrances  of  Presbyteries 
and  individuals ;  all  these  passed  upon  without  any  of  the  usual  forms  of  hearing 
and  trial,  by  one  sweeping  sentence  of  outlawry  of  two  Synods  and  twelve  Presby- 
teries of  the  Church. 

Second,  The  several  actions,  in  accordance  \^Tth  the  foregoing,  for  depriving  the 
churches  of  Kenti^cky  of  their  property  and  the  control  of  the  schools  which  their 
piety  and  liberality  had  founded,  to  all  of  which  acts  reference  has  already  been 
made,  with  its  judgment  concerning  them,  in  the  Synod's  action  in  June  last. 

Statement  of  Doctrines  and  Pkinciples  foe  whic;h  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and 
ITS  Peesbyteries  have  Contended  in  the  Controversies  with  the  Generax, 
Assembly,  as  Adopted  by  the  Synod,  October  11,  1867. 

II.  Still  farther  to  the  end  that  the  testimony  of  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries 
may  be  more  clearly  understood,  and  to  guard  it  from  the  perversions  and  misrep- 
resentations of  their  adversaries,  it  is  hereby  declared,  once  for  all,  that  in  their  va- 
rious protests  and  testimonies  against  the  acts  and  deliverances  of  Assembly  just 


Sec.  634.]        Eelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  419 

recited,  the  Synods  aud  Presbyteries  of  Kentucky  have  not  meant,  ' '  as  they  be 
slanderously  reported, "  to  deny  any  of  the  following  propositions : 

Either,  First,  To  deny  that  civil  government  is  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  the 
magistrate  God's  minister,  in  the  natural  order,  as  are  the  church  oflBcers  in  the 
spiritual  order,  for  the  protection  of  the  good  and  the  repressing  of  the  lawless  and 
wicked. 

Or,  Second,  To  deny  that  the  Church  may  not  properly  enjoin  obedience  in  the 
discharge  of  their  cTuties,  as  citizens  and  subjects,  to  the  civil  government  within 
its  sphere. 

Or,  Third,  To  deny  that  the  state,  as  a  natural  inniittite,  should  acknowledge 
"God  the  King  and  Kuler, "  as  he  makes  himself  known  to  the  state  in  the  natural 
order,  and  to  man. as  his  creature,  "showing  the  work  of  the  law  written  in  his 
heart,  his  conscience  also  bearing  witness,  and  who  may  clearly  see  his  eternal 
power  and  Godhead  bj'  the  things  that  are  made. " 

Or,  Fonrtli,  That  the  state  may  enforce  the  law  of  God  as  made  known  in  the 
natural  order  through  the  impressions  of  man's  moral  nature,  and  the  ethical  truths 
clearly  deducible  from  the  acknowledged  existence  of  God  the  Creator,  and  the  re- 
lations to  him  of  man  the  creature,  whom  ' '  the  light  of  nature  sheweth  that  there 
is  a  God  who  hath  lordship  and  sovereignty  over  all. " 

Or,  Fifth,  That  the  Church  should  have  cognizance  of  crimes  against  the  law  of 
the  state,  as  they  may  be  sins  against  God,  which  affect  spiritually  the  subjects  of 
her  spiritual  discipline ;  the  Church  having  in  view  to  restore  such  a  one  in  the 
spirit  of  meekness. 

Or,  Sixth,  To  deny  that  the  Church  may  properlj'  appeal  to  the  civil  courts, 
whose  business  it  is  to  protect  life,  liberty,  and  propertj^  for  the  protection 
against  the  lawless  and  unjust  of  property  given  in  trust  to  her,  as  they  protect 
any  other  iJroperty ;  or  that  the  Church  shoxild  i^rotest  against  any  intriasion  of  the 
civil  government  into  the  sphere  of  the  spiritual,  which  has  been  assigned  by  her 
Head  to  her  jurisdiction. 

Neither,  again,  in  respect  of  the  interpretation  of  the  constitution,  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  have  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  intended  to  deny  any  of  the 
following  propositions : 

Either,  First,  To  deny  that  the  power  of  the  supreme  court,  representing  the 
power  of  the  whole  Church,  is,  within  the  Umit  of  Christ's  laws,  over  the  power  of 
the  lower  courts  representing  a  part. 

Or,  Second,  To  deny  that  individual  members  and  lower  courts  should  "receive 
with  reverence  and  siibmission"  the  decrees  and  determinations  of  superior  coun- 
cils, ^'^  if  consonant  to  the  Word  (f  God,"  "not  only  for  their  agi-eement  with  the 
Word,  but  also  for  the  power  whereby  they  are  made,  as  being  an  ordinance  of 
God  appointed  thereunto  in  his  Word." 

Or,  Third,  To  deny  that  the  power  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  the  power  of  all 
other  courts  and  office-bearers,  is  primarily  from  Jesus  Christ,  the  Head  of  the 
Church,  and  only  in  a  secondary  sense  derived  from  the  constitution ;  and  that  only 
as  it  is  a  delegated  body  are  the  Presbyteries  the  fountain  of  power  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

Neither,  again,  in  respect  of  the  questions  which  have  given  occasion  for  the  fore- 
going acts  and  utterances  of  the  General  Assembly,  has  this  Synod  and  its  Presby- 
teries felt  called  upon  either  to  affirm  or  deny  any  one  of  the  following  propo- 
sitions : 

Either.  First,  That  the  political  acts  of  the  Southern  States  were  right,  or  the 
contrary. 

Or,  Second,  That  the  com-se  of  the  Federal  Government  was  just,  wise,  and  mag- 
nanimous, or  the  contrary. 

Or,  Third,  That  the  political  theory  of  State  rights  is  the  true  theory  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution,  or  the  contrary. 

Or,  Fourth,  That  the  institution  of  slavery  was  in  accordance  with  natural  justice 
and  in  itself  desirable,  or  the  contrary. 

III.  But,  as  against  certain  errors  involved  in  the  above  recited  acts  and  deliver- 
ances of  the  General  Assembly — in  part  errors  of  doctrine  concerning  the  nature 
and  functions  of  the  Church,  as  related  to  Christ,  her  Lawgiver  and  King,  on  the 
one  hand,  and  to  the  civil  government  on  the  other ;  in  part  errors  of  interpreta- 
tion of  the  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States;  in  part 
acts  of  usurpation,  and  claims  of  prerogatives  dangerous  to  the  liberty  of  the 
Church  and  liberty  of  conscience-- as  against  these  enors  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
and  its  Presbyteries  have  atlirmed,  and  now  desire  to  have  solemnlj'  recorded,  as 
part  of  the  accepted  historical  interpretations  of  the  doctrine  and  order  of  the  Pres- 


420  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

byterian  Church,  the  followiug  statements,  substantially,  concerning  the  doctrine 
of  the  Church  of  God  and  the  constitutional  i^riuciples  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
As  against  \yhat  they  deem  to  be  latitudinarian,  or,  at  least,  inadequate  views  of 
the  nature  of  church  power,  which  rests  directlj'  lapou  the  doctrine  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  now  actually  ruling  in  his  visible  Church,  and  acting  through  his  ap- 
pointed office-bearers,  they  have  maintained : 

1.  Concerning  the  Doctrine  of  the  Kingship  of  Christ,  and  the  Manner  in 
WHICH  Christ  Executeth  the  Office  of  a  King  in  his  Visible  Church: 

That  our  standards  declare,  in  accordance  with  the  Word  of  God : 

"Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  king  in  calling  out  of  the  world  a  people  to  him- 
self, and  giving  them  officers,  laws,  and  censures,  by  which  he  visibly  governs  them. " 
(Larger  Catechism,  Q.  45.) 

And  that  this  very  clear  and  explicit  statement  of  the  jure  divino  character  of  all 
that  essentially  jiertains  to  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Church  is  the  true 
kej'  to  all  the  more  detailed  statements  of  our  standards  concerning  Chui-ch  govern- 
ment, viz.  : 

That  ' '  the  Lord  Jesus,  as  King  and  Head  of  his  Church,  hath  therein  appointed 
a  government  in  the  hand  of  Church  officers,  distinct  from  the  civil  magistrate. " 
And  "to  these  officers  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  are  committed."  (Conf. , 
Chap.  XXX.  1,2.) 

Tliat  ' '  it  Ijelongeth  to  the  overseers  and  other  rulers  of  the  particular  churches, 
by  virtue  of  their  office  and  the  power  which  Christ  hath  given  them  for  edification, 
and  not  for  destruction,  to  appoint  such  assemblies  and  to  convene  together  in 
them. "  That  of  these  assemblies  the  ' '  decrees  and  determinations,  if  consonant 
to  the  Word  of  God,  are  to  be  received  with  reverence  and  submission— not  only 
for  their  agreement  with  the  Word,  but  also  for  the  power  whereby  they  are 
made,  as  being  an  ordinance  of  God  appointed  thereto."  (Conf.,  Chap.  XXXI. 
1,  2.) 

Which  several  statements,  substantially,  are  more  summarily  presented  in  the 
ancient  Confession  of  the  Church,  in  these  and  like  statements : 

' '  This  power  ecclesiastical  is  an  authority  granted  by  God  the  Father  through  the 
Mediator  Jesus  Christ  to  his  Church  gathered,  and  having  its  ground  in  the  Word  of 
God." 

' '  The  policy  of  the  Church  flowing  from  this  power  is  an  order  or  form  of  spirit- 
ual government  which  is  exercised  by  the  members  appointed  thereto  by  the  Word 
of  God. " 

In  the  light  of  these  doctrinal  statements,  and  as  necessary  inferences  from  them, 
this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained : 

That  the  doctrine  of  the  kingly  office  of  Christ  is  no  abstract  theory  of  theology, 
but  of  the  very  first  practical  importance  in  the  gospel  system,  since  to  his  office 
as  a  king  his  prophetic  and  priestly  offices  stand  related  as  means  to  an  end.  He 
is  a  teaching  prophet  and  an  atoning  priest  that  he  may  be  a  reigning  king.  And 
his  kingly  office  stands  related  to  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Church  as 
his  prophetic  and  priestly  offices  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Word  and  sacraments. 
While,  indeed,  the  acceptance  of  the  doctrine  of  his  kingly  office  is  not  essential  to 
the  faith  that  is  unto  salvation  in  the  sense  in  which  the  acceptance  of  the  doctrine 
of  his  priestly  office  as  exhibiting  our  justifying  righteousness  is  essential,  yet  the 
obligation  to  present  tnily  the  doctrine  of  Christ's  kingly  office  in  the  government 
and  discipline  of  the  Church  to  the  faith  of  his  people  is  of  like  force  'nith  the  obli- 
gation to  present  truly  the  doctrine  of  his  prophetic  and  priestly  offices  in  the  Word 
and  sacraments. 

That,  therefore,  the  avoidance  of  all  admixture  of  human  maxims,  policies  and 
expediences  in  the  administration  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Church 
is  a  duty  of  the  same  obligation  as  to  avoid  the  admixture  of  human  philosophies 
and  theories  with  the  disi^ensation  of  the  Word,  or  of  human  fancies  with  the  dis- 
pensation of  the  sacraments. 

That  it  is  therefore  not  only  incompetent  to  the  church  courts,  but  positively  a 
perversion  of  the  truth,  that  they  shall  assume  to  consider  and  determine  any  other 
questions  than  those  which  relate  to  the  government,  order,  and  discipline  of 
Christ's  visible  kingdom,  or  to  determine  these  on  grounds  aside  from  the  Word  of 
God ;  or  to  speak  in  Christ's  name  and  by  his  authority,  otherwise  than  to  the  faith 
and  conscience  of  his  people  concerning  things  to  be  obeyed,  as  enjoined  by  the  law 
of  Christ.  Since,  according  to  our  standards,  even  though  "there  are  some  circum- 
stances concerning  the  worshiji  of  God  and  government  of  the  Church  common  to 
human  actions  and  societies,  which  are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature  and 


Sec.  634.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Othek  Bodies.  421 

Christian  prudence,"  yet  even  these  must  "be  ordered  according  to  the  general 
rules  of  the  Word,  irJdch  are  always  to  be  observed."     (Conf.,  Chap.  I.  6.) 

That,  therefore,  the  attempt  on  the  part  of  tribunals  of  the  Church  to  exercise 
the  authority  thus  delegated  to  them  by  Christ  in  determining  qiiestions  merely  sec- 
ular, concerning  which  his  Word  makes  no  such  determination,  is  "to  usurp  the 
prerogatives  of  the  Church's  Divine  Master,"  and  practically  to  obscure  to  the 
faith  of  his  people  the  doctrine  of  his  kingly  ofl&ce ;  just  as  the  attempt  to  determine 
by  the  spiritual  aiithority  questions  of  Christian  faith  and  practice  on  the  ground  of 
human  opinions  and  theories  of  human  expediences  is  practically  to  obscure  to  the 
faith  of  his  people  Christ's  prophetic  office.  For,  precisely  in  harmony  with  their 
view  of  his  kingly  office  in  the  Church,  our  standards  declare:  "Christ  executeth 
the  office  of  a  projjhet  in  revealing  to  the  Church  in  ullages,  by  his  Si^irit  and  Word, 
in  dicers  tcaps  of  adndnistratioii,  the  irhole  trill  of  God  in  all  things  concerning  their 
edification  and  salvation."     (Larger  Catechism,  Q.  43.] 

In  full  accordance  with  these  views  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ's  kingly  office  in  his 
Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained : 

2.     CoNCEKNINCi    THE    OEICilX,   XaTVEE,   AND    FrNCTIONS    OF  ChI  ECH    GOVEEKMENT,   AS 
CoNTEASTED  WITH,   AND  EeLATEI)  TO,    THE  CiVIL  GoVEEXJJEKT. 

That,  according  to  our  standards,  "the  visible  Church  consists  of  all  those 
throughout  the  world  that  profess  the  true  religion,  together  with  their  children, 
and  is  the  kingdom  (fthe  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  house  and  family  of  God,  out  of 
which  there  is  no  ordinary  possibility  of  salvation.  I''nto  this  catholic  visible 
Church  Christ  hath  given  the  ministry,  oracles,  and  ordinances  of  God,  for  the 
gathering  and  perfecting  of  the  saints  in  this  life,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  and  doth 
by  his  own  presence  and  Spirit,  according  to  his  promise,  make  them  eifectual 
thereunto.  There  is  no  other  head  of  the  Church  bi;t  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
(Conf.,  Chap.  XXV.  2,  3,  6.)  "And  the  Lord  Jesus,  as  King  and  Head  of  his 
Church,  hath  aj)poiuted  a  government  in  the  hand  of  church  officers,  distinct  from 
the  civil  magistrate."  (Conf.,  Chap.  XXX.  1.)  "These  assemblies  ought  not  to 
possess  any  civil  jurisdiction.  Their  power  is  wholly  moral  or  spiritual,  and  that 
only  ministerial  and  declarative."  (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  Till.  2.)  And 
these  "Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which  is 
ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs,  which  concern  the  com- 
monwealth."     (Conf.,  Chap.  XXXI.  4.) 

And  as  it  is  the  Lord  Christ  who,  in  the  execution  of  his  mediatorial  office  of 
king,  "in  calling  out  of  the  world  a  people  to  himself,  and  giving  them  officers, 
laws,  and  censures,  whereby  he  visibly  governs  them,"  gives  the  Church  power,  so, 
on  the  other  hand,  according  to  our  standards : 

It  is  "  God,  as  the  supreme  Lord  and  ICing  of  the  icoi'ld,  who  hath  ordained  civil 
magistrates  to  be  under  him  over  the  people  for  his  own  glory  and  the  public  good, 
and  to  this  end  hath  armed  them  with  the  power  of  the  sword  for  the  defense  and 
encouragement  of  them  that  are  good,  and  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers. " 

But  "  civil  magistrates  may  not  assume  to  themselves  the  administration  of  the 
Word  and  sacraments,  or  the  i^ower  of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  or  in  the 
least  interfere  in  matters  of  faith."  And,  as  the  rule  for  guidance  in  this  govern- 
ment is,  primarily,  not  the  revealed  Word,  but  the  light  of  nati;re,  so  "infidelity 
or  difference  in  religion  doth  not  make  void  the  magistrate's  just  and  legal  authority, 
nor  free  the  people  from  their  due  obedience  to  him."     (Conf.,  Chap.  XXIII.  3,  4.) 

This  account  of  these  two  sejiarate  ordinances  of  government  for  men,  as  differ- 
ing fimdamentally  in  that  the  one  is  from  Christ,  as  mediatorial  King  and  Head  of 
his  elect  people,  the  other  from  "God,  the  supreme  King  and  Euler  of  the  world;" 
and  in  that  the  one  contemplates  men  as  sinners  related  to  God  the  Saviour ;  the 
other,  men  as  creatures,  related  to  God  the  Creator — is  thus  summarily  expressed 
in  the  ancient  Confession : 

' '  This  power  and  policy  ecclesiastical  is  different  and  distinct  in  its  own  nature 
from  that  jiower  and  policy  which  is  called  the  civil  power,  and  appertains  to  the 
civil  government  of  the  commonwealth. " 

"For  this  power  ecclesiastical  flows  immediately  from  God  and  the  Mediator 
Jesus  Christ,  and  is  spiritual. " 

Furthermore,  as  these  two  governments  thus  differ  in  their  origin,  nature,  and 
purpose,  so,  according  to  our  standards,  they  have,  as  already  intimated,  primarily, 
a  different  rule  to  guide  their  action.  As  to  the  rule  to  guide  the  Church,  it  has 
already  been  said,  "Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  prophet  in  revealing  to  the 
Church  in  all  ages,  by  his  Spirit  and  Word,  in  divers  ways  of  administration,  the 


422  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

whole  will  of  God,  in  all  that  concerns  their  edification  and  salvation."  (Larger 
Catechism,  Q.  43.) 

So,  again,  ' '  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the 
doctrines  and  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  anything  contrary  to  his  Word, 
or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship."     (Oonf.,  Chap.  XX.  2.) 

So,  again,  ' '  The  Supreme  Judge,  by  which  all  controversies  of  religion  are  to  be 
determined,  and  all  decrees  of  councils,  opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doctrines  of  men 
and  private  spirits  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence  ice  are  to  rest,  can  be 
no  other  but  the  Holy  Spirit  siaeaking  in  the  Scriptiu'e."     (Conf.,  I.  10.) 

On  the  other  hand,  touching  the  light  which  all  men  have,  as  a  rule,  to  guide  in 
the  administration  of  civil  government,  our  standards  teach,  in  accordance  wth 
the  express  declaration  of  Scrij^ture,  that: 

"  The  light  of  nature  shows  that  there  is  a  God,  who  hath  lordship  and  sovereignty 
over  all;  is  good  and  doeth  good  unto  all;  and  is,  therefore,  to  be  feared,  loved, 
praised,  trusted  in,  and  served  with  all  the  heart."     (Conf  ,  XXI.  1.) 

"  The  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of  creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  mani- 
fest the  goodness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God  as  to  leave  men  inexcusable." 
(Conf.;  L  1.) 

' '  The  Gentiles  having  not  the  law,  are  a  law  unto  themselves,  which  show  the 
work  of  the  law  written  in  their  hearts,  their  conscience  also  bearing  witness. 
(Kom.  ii.  14,  15.)  Because  that  which  may  be  known  of  God  is  manifest  in  them, 
for  God  hath  showed  it  unto  them  (Rom.  i.  19);  so  that  they  are  without  excuse." 
(Rom.  i.  20.) 

"Some  circumstances  concerning  the  worship  of  God  and  government  of  the 
Church,  common  to  human  actions  and  societies,  are  to  he  ordered  by  the  light  of 
nature."     (Conf.,  I.  6  ) 

"Infidelity  or  difference  doth  not  make  void  the  magistrate's  just  and  legal  au- 
thority, nor  free  the  people  from  their  due  obedience  to  him."  (Conf.,  Chap. 
XXIIL  4.) 

This  difference  in  the  rule  aud  the  subject-matter  of  the  two  orders  of  govern- 
ment, the  ancient  Confession  ex^jresses  summarily  thus : 

"Therefore  this  power  and  policy  of  the  Kirk  should  lean  upon  the  Word  im- 
mediately as  the  only  ground  thereof. " 

"The  magistrate  commands  external  things  for  external  peace  and  quietness 
amongst  the  subjects.  The  minister  handles  external  things  only  for  conscience 
sake.  The  magistrate  handles  external  things  only,  and  actions  done  before  men; 
but  the  spiritual  ruler  both  in"ward  affections  and  external  actions  in  respect  of  con- 
science by  the  Word  of  God. " 

' '  The  magistrate  claims  and  gets  obedience  by  the  sword  and  other  external 
means,  but  the  minister  by  the  spiritual  sword  and  spiritual  means. " 

From  these  teachings  of  our  standards,  toiaching  the  fundamental  difference,  in 
origin,  rule  of  guidance,  nature,  f  i;nctions,  and  design,  between  the  spiritual  and 
the  temporal  power,  this  Synod  aud  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained,  as  against  the 
assumption  of  the  Church  courts,  on  the  one  hand,  to  entertain  and  determine 
questions  of  civil  policy,  and  of  the  civil  government,  on  the  other  hand,  to  deter- 
mine questions  of  worship  aud  the  qualifications  of  members  of  Church  courts  : 

That,  though  both  governments  are  of  Divine  institution,  one  immediately,  the 
other  mediately,  and  both  may  exercise  their  authority  severally  over  the  same 
persons  in  different  capacities,  and  both  have  in  view,  as  their  end,  the  glory  of 
God ;  yet  they  move  in  spheres  altogether  extrinsic  to  each  other. 

That  the  Church  of  God  is  a  supernatural  institute,  immediately  of  supernatural 
origin  and  authority ;  whereas  the  state  is  a  natural  institute,  only  mediately  of 
Divine  authority,  and  growing  out  of  the  social  constitution  for  which  man  was 
created  and  fitted. 

That  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  are  all  in  the  supernatural  order,  di- 
rectly revealed  by  the  Spirit  and  Word  of  Christ  to  his  kingdom ;  whereas  the  laws 
and  ordinances  of  the  state  are  in  the  n.atural  urder,  framed  and  fashioned  by  the 
natin-al  intelligence  of  men,  as  guided  by  the  light  of  nature. 

That  the  Church  is  a  supernatural  agency  for  the  spiritual  interests  of  man  as 
immortal,  here  and  hereafter ;  whereas  the  state  is  a  natural  agency  for  the  promo- 
tion of  man's  temporal  interests  of  life,  liberty,  and  property. 

That  the  Chui-ch's  Lawgiver  and  Head,  speaking  through  these  ordinances  and 
laws  by  the  men  whom  he  calls,  qualifies,  and  conunissious,  is  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  whereas  the  head  aud  lawgivers  of  the  state  are  men — such  rulers  as  the 
people  clothe  with  authority  to  represent  and  rule  over  them,  and  who  speak  in 
the  name  of  the  people. 


Sec.  634.]         Eelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  423 

That  the  subject  of  church  government  is  man  contemplated  as  a  sinner;  whereas 
the  subject  of  civil  government  is  man  contemplated  as  a  creature. 

That  the  constituent  elements  of  the  spuitual  commonwealth  are  the  elect  of 
God,  the  families  that  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  whom  Christ  covenants  to 
redeem;  whereas  the  constituent  elements  of  the  civil  commonwealth  are  the 
families  of  men  as  citizens  indiscriminately,  which  it  aims  to  protect  in  their  rights 
by  repressing  the  lawless  and  wicked. 

That  the  efficient  power  of  the  ( "hurch  is  the  power  of  the  keys,  the  ministry  of 
the  Word  and  ordinances,  aiming  to  gain  a  voluntary  obedience  by  moral  suasion ; 
whereas  the  efficient  power  of  the  state  is  the  power  of  the  sword  to  enforce  a  com- 
pulsory obedience,  'having  special  reference  to  the  repression  of  the  lawless. 

That  these  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  deal  with  the  wrong  actions  of 
men  as  sins  against  God ;  whereas  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  state  deal  with 
the  wrong  actions  of  men  as  misdemeanors  and  crimes  against  men. 

That  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  are  in  their  nature  discipliwiry,  a 
means  of  grace,  and  designed  to  realize  the  idea  of  grace ;  whereas  the  laws  of  the 
state  are  in  their  nature  rindiaitury,  for  the  suppression  of  wickedness  by  an  ap- 
peal to  fear,  and  are  designed  to  realize  the  idea  of  justice. 

That,  therefore,  the  Church  has  manifestly  no  commission  either  to  discharge 
any  functions  of  the  state,  or  to  direct,  advise,  or  assist  the  state;  nor  has  the 
Chiirch  any  light  in  regard  to  the  affairs  of  the  state  which  the  state  has  not  already ; 
nor,  since  her.  authority  is  spiritual,  and  resting  on  moral  suasion  only,  has  it  any 
adaptation  for  the  purposes  of  a  government  of  force.  Neither  can  the  state  have 
any  commission  from  God  to  discharge  the  functions  of  the  Church,  nor  the  ability 
to  do  so,  since,  aside  from  the  fact  that  its  compulsory  power  is  inapplicable  to 
things  of  religion,  even  though  the  state  may  have  the  advantage  of  the  inspired 
Word  of  God  current  among  its  citizens,  to  give  additional  clearness  and  force  to 
the  teachings  of  nature  and  reason,  yet  the  state  has  not  the  special  illumination 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  alone  can  interpret  the  Word  for  the  purposes  of  the 
Church.  Nor  is  anything  plainer  from  experience  than  that  the  unconverted  states- 
man, accepting  the  Word  of  God  intellectually  merely,  however  he  may  thereby  be 
made  wiser  as  to  natural  things,  is  not  made  more  competent  to  legislate  for  the 
Church  than  though  he  were  merely  a  refined  and  enlightened  pagan.  Nor  has 
anything  more  certainly  tended  to  enfeeble  the  s]3iritual  life  of  the  Church  than  the 
mistake  of  courting  the  favor  and  seeking  the  alliance  of  rulers  and  statesmen  who 
merely  accept  intellectually,  and  therefore  treat  respectfully,  the  Word  of  Christ 
and  his  ordinances,  as  though  thereby  the  kingdom  of  Christ  can  be  strengthened. 

Hence  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  steadfastly  jirotested  against  and  re- 
sisted the  assumption  of  authority  by  the  church  courts  to  advise,  direct,  and  assist 
the  civil  government  in  its  i^olicy  l)y  the  exercise  of  their  spiritual  aiithority,  or  to 
interpose  the  jiower  of  the  spiritual  sword  for  enforcing  any  theories  of  social  or- 
ganization, or  theories  of  labor,  or  political  theories,  or  to  direct  men  as  citizens  in 
the  choice  of  their  civil  policy. 

And,  on  the  other  hand,  they  have  jirotested  against  and  resisted  every  invitation 
by  the  church  courts  to  the  state  to  assume,  and  every  assumption  by  the  state  to 
direct,  the  ordinances  of  worship  in  God's  house,  or  to  interfere  with  the  conscien- 
tious convictions  of  men,  so  long  as  those  convictions  did  not  develop  themselves 
in  overt  acts.  For  our  gi-eat  civil  "Act  establishing  religious  freedom"  nobly  de- 
clares, as  defining  the  limits  of  the  civil  power,  "  It  is  time  enough  for  the  rightful 
purposes  of  civil  government  for  its  officers  to  interfere  when  principles  break  out 
into  (mert  <irU  against  peace  and  good  order. " 

In  full  accordance  also  with  the  foregoing  views  of  the  doctrine  concerning  the 
kingly  office  of  Christ  in  his  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  main- 
tained : 

3.  GoNCEKNINCi  THE  PoWEKS  OF  THE  SeVEUAL,  CoUKTS  OF  THE  CnrRCH,  THEIR  RELA- 
TIONS TO  Each  Otheu  and  to  the  Office-Beauers  anu  PEf)PLE. 
That,  while  "it  is  lawful  and  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God  that  the  Church  be 
govei'ued  by  several  sorts  of  assemblies,  congregational,  classical  and  synodical;" 
and  that  "there  should  be  a  subordination  of  congregational,  classical,  provincial 
and  national  assemblies,  for  the  governnient  of  the  Church;"  and  this  for  the  rea- 
son "that  the  several  different  congregations  of  believers,  taken  collectively,  con- 
stitiitc  one  Church  of  Christ,  called,  emphatically,  the  Church;  that  a  large  part  of 
the  C'hiirch,  or  a  representation  of  it,  should  govern  a  smaller,  and  determine  matters 
of  controvei-sy  which  arise  therein."  (Form  of  Government,  Cliaj).  XII.,  note.) 
That  is,  that  the  power  of  the  assembly  rejiresenting  the  whole  shouM  be  over  the 


424  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

power  of  the  assembly  representing  a  part,  yet  not  so  over  it  as  claiming  concur- 
rent jurisdiction  with  it,  bnt  simply  as  appellate  and  corrective  of  the  exercise  of 
its  power.  Since  the  power  of  the  whole  is  also  in  every  part,  and  the  same  pro- 
mise of  the  special  presence  of  the  Lord  Christ  is  made  to  the  ' '  two  or  three  " 
gathered  to  determine  the  case  of  the  offending  brother,  as  to  the  apostolic  college 
representing  the  whole  Chfirch.     (Compare  Matt,  xviii.  15-20  with  Matt,  xxviii.  20.) 

And  they  have  maintained  also,  that  ' '  all  church  power,  whether  exercised  by 
the  body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of  representation  by  delegated  authority,  is  only 
ministerial  and  declarative,  and  that  all  their  decisions  should  be  founded  upon  the 
revealed  will  of  God;"  and  that  "there  ismiich  greater  danger  from  usurped  claim 
of  making  laws  than  from  the  right  of  judging  upon  laws  already  made  (in  the 
Scriptures),  and  common  to  all  who  profess  the  gos^Del. "  (Form  of  Government, 
Chap.  I.  7.) 

That  "the  Su^areme  Judge,  by  which  all  controversies  of  religion  are  to  be  de- 
termined, and  all  decrees  of  councils  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence  we 
are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  but  the  Holy  SiDirit  speaking  in  the  Scripture. "  (Con- 
fession, Chap.  I.  10  ) 

That  "God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the  com- 
mandments of  men  which  are  in  anything  contrary  to  his  Word,  or  beside  it  in 
matters  of  faith  and  worship.  So  that  to  believe  such  doctrines,  or  to  obey  such 
commandments  oiit  of  conscience,  is  to  betray  the  true  liberty  of  conscience ;  and 
the  requiring  an  implicit  faith,  and  an  absolute  and  blind  obedience,  is  to  destroy 
liberty  of  conscience  and  reason  also."     (Confession,  Chap.  XX.  2.) 

In  the  light  of  these  declarations  of  our  standards,  taken  in  connection  with 
those  before  cited  touching  the  execution  of  the  kingly  and  prophetic  offices  of 
Christ  in  his  visible  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained, 
in  regard  to  the  acts  af  the  General  Assembly  against  which  they  have  protested : 

First,  That  any  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  which  involve  a  usurpa- 
tion of  ijower's  by  that  body  not  assigned  to  the  General  Assemblj'  in  the  constitu- 
tion, which  constitution  we  hold  to  be  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  there- 
fore that  to  transcend  the  constitution  is  to  do  also  what  is  contrary  to  the  Word 
of  God,  or  any  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  concerning  questions  of 
national  or  other  civil  policy,  these  being  questions  in  the  natural  order  which 
"God,  the  Sujireme  liuler, "  hath  appoiuted  to  be  determined  by  the  civil  magis- 
trate, and  questions  which  the  Lord  Christ,  as  King  and  Prophet  of  the  Church, 
hath  not  determined  in  his  Word,  excejat  as  questions  of  sin  and  of  duty  that  concern 
the  conscience,  all  such  acts  and  deliverances  are  not  only  in  themselves  errors,  as 
transcending  the  powers  of  the  Assembly  and  the  sphere  of  the  Church,  but  also 
as  tending  to  obscure  the  great  doctrine  of  the  kingly  and  prophetic  offices  of 
Christ  as  still  executed  in  his  visible  Church. 

That,  therefore,  while  it  is  a  duty  to  receive,  with  reverence  and  siibmission,  all 
such  decrees  as  are  consonant  to  the  Word,  yet  such  dangerous  errors  are  not  onlj' 
to  be  silently  disregarded  as  mere  "commandments  of  men,  to  obey  which  would 
be  to  betray  liberty  of  conscience,"  but  are  to  be  testified  against;  and  all  claim  of 
authority  resting  upon  them  is  to  be  resisted,  and  this  for  the  following  considera- 
tions, to-wit: 

That  "the  Supreme  Judge  by  which  all  controversies  of  religion  are  to  be  de- 
cided, and  in  whose  decision  we  are  to  rest,"  is  not  the  supreme  court,  but  "the 
Holy  Spirit  speaking  in  the  Scripture." 

That  it  is  the  duty  more  especially  of  every  office-bearer  and  court  of  the  Church 
alike  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth  as  against  error,  since  to  this  obligation  every 
office-bearer  is  held  by  his  ordination  vow  to  study  the  purity  as  well  as  the  peace 
of  the  Church. 

That  it  is  expressly  enjoined  upon  the  Presbyteries,  in  the  constitution  itself, 
thus  to  bear  witness  for  the  truth,  being  required  to  "resolve  questions  of  doctrine 
and  discipline,  and  to  rondenm  erroneous  opinions."  Nor  is  there  any  limitation  to 
the  requirement  excluding  from  consideration  any  erroneous  oi^inions  because  ut- 
tered by  the  General  Assembly.  On  the  (contrary,  they  must  for  that  very  reason 
condemn  the  errors,  since  errors  of  the  General  Assembly  more  directly  affect  the 
piirity  and  peace  of  their  churches  than  the  errors  of  any  other. 

That  not  only  does  the  constitution  enjoin  it,  but  the  Lord  Christ,  as  wo  have 
seen,  gives  his  specnal  promise  to  be  present  with  the  lower  court  in  its  act  not  less 
than  to  be  present  "always"  with  those  representing  the  whole  Church.  And  there 
is  every  reason  to  hope  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  use  the  faithful  testimony  of  the 
lower  court  as  the  means  whereby  to  extend  in  the  Church  a  revival  of  love  for  the 
truth,  and  thereby  restore  it  from  error. 


Sec.  634.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  425 

That,  therefore,  nothing  is  more  absurd  and  dangerous  to  Christian  liberty  than 
the  conception,  by  an  utterly  false  analogy,  that  the  office-bearers  and  lower  courts 
are  bound  to  obey  as  law,  until  rejiealed,  an  act  that  is  unconstitutional,  and  there- 
fore not  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God,  as  citizens  obej'  civil  acts  until  repealed. 
Such  a  conceiDtion  could  occur  ouh'  by  reason  of  iitter  forgetfulness  of  all  that  our 
standards  teach  concerning  liberty  of  conscience,  and  the  non-obligatory  character 
of  decrees  of  councils  that  are  not  according  to  the  Word. 

That  it  is  an  argument  of  no  real  force  which  urges,  to  the  contrary  of  these 
views,  that  they  open  the  door  to  the  constant  acts  of  disobedience,  resistance  and 
schism  in  the  Church,  and  make  church  government  impossible.  Since,  on  the  one 
hand,  Christ  the  King  reigns  still  in  his  visible  Church,  though  las  representatives 
may  be  unfaithful,  and  by  his  Spirit  enlightening  the  minds  of  his  i^eople,  he  will 
in  his  own  way  and  time  heal  the  declensions  and  dissensions  of  his  Church.  And 
on  the  other  hand,  still  more  is  it  true  in  ecclesiastical  than  in  jjolitical  govern- 
ments, that  "all  experience  hath  shown  that  mankind  are  more  disposed  to  suffer 
while  evils  are  sufferable  than  to  right  themselves  by  abolishing  forms  of  govern- 
ment to  which  they  have  long  been  accustomed. "  The  long-suffering  of  this  SjTiod 
for  seven  ye.ars  past  fully  confirms  this  declaration ;  and  the  apparent  unwillingness 
to  resist  even  yet,  on  the  part  of  many  who  are  believed  to  concur  with  this  Synod, 
and  who  at  the  beginning  protested  with  it  against  the  acts  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly as  violations  of  the  constitution  and  a  usitrpation  of  the  prerogatives  of  the 
Church's  Divine  IMaster,  afford  still  further  melancholy  proof  of  the  long-suffering 
of  Christian  men  in  bearing  with  error  and  Tisurpation. 

And,  finally,  while  maintaining  a  steadfast  opposition  to  the  acts  and  deliver- 
ances of  the  Assemblj'  already  recited,  as  their  testimony  for  the  foregoing  general 
doctrines  concerning  the  Church,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have,  in  the  light 
of  these  doctrines,  maintained  the  following  principles  : 

4.     CoNCEKNING  THE  InTEEPKETATION  OP  OUR   FoRM   OF   GOVERNMENT  AND  iDlSCIPLINE 

WITH  Reference  to  the  Functions,  Powers,  and  Mi:tual  Relations  of  the 
Courts  of  the  Church. 

First,  As  to  the  functions  and  sphere  of  the  General  Assembly  and  other  courts, 
they  have  maintained,  and  desire  to  have  it  recognized  as  the  accepted  interpreta- 
tion, that  the  constitution  of  the  Church  assigns  to  the  General  Assembly  no  func- 
tion to  the  end  that  it  may  counsel,  direct,  or  assist  the  civil  government. 

That  neither  does  the  constit\Uion  assign  to  the  Assembly  any  authority  to  con- 
sider and  determine — as  in  the  deliverances  of  1861,  1862,  1863,  and  1864,  on  the 
"State  of  the  Cyouutry, "  the  Assembly  appears,  and  is  understood,  to  have  consid- 
ered and  determined — either: 

Questions  of  the  policy  of  the  state  touching  its  citizens,  or  of  the  duties  of  citi- 
zens as  such,  in  respect  of  the  policy  of  the  state ; 

Or,  Questions  between  different  interpretations  of  the  Federal  Constitution; 

Or,  Questions,  not  of  duties  towards  the  recognized  Cwsar,  but  of  deciding  be- 
tween rival  Cffisars; 

Or,  Questions  as  between  different  theories  of  allegiance  to  the  civil  government; 

Or,  Questions  concerning  the  social  structure  of  different  political  communities 
and  their  systems  of  labor ; 

Or,  Questions  touching  the  military  duties  and  policy  of  the  national  govern- 
ment, and  the  duties  of  citizens  to  uphold  the  government  in  its  policy. 

Nor  can  they  regard  the  jiretence  set  up  as  a  reason  for  considering  and  deter- 
mining such  questions,,  viz. :  "Thai  certain  civil  acts  rise  up  into  the  region  of 
morals,"  otherwise  than  as  an  utter  denial,  in  the  face  of  our  standards,  that  the 
state  is  com})etent  to  determine  concerning  the  moral  acts  of  its  citizens,  and  a  de- 
nial that  the  state  has,  in  the  natural  order,  any  code  of  morals  given  of  God,  the 
Supreme  Ruler,  through  reason  and  the  light  of  nature,  for  the  judgment  of  the 
moral  acts  of  its  citizens. 

Second,  They  have  maintained  that  the  General  Assembly  committed  direct  acts 
of  usurpation,  more  particularly  in  its  enactments  of  1865,  1866,  and  1867 : 

In  ordaining  additional  tests  of  ministeiial  and  Christian  communion  in  the  acts 
of  18()o;  the  more  monstrous  in  that  the  tests  to  be  ajiplied  relate  to  the  sinfulness 
of  certiiin  political  opinions;  and  still  more  monstrous,  again,  in  that  they  are  to  be 
applied  to  ministers  and  i-hurch  members  of  one  geographical  section  of  the  Chuich, 
and  not  to  those  of  like  opinions  in  anothei-. 

In  ordaining  tests  of  ministerial  qualification  to  missionaries  not  set  forth  in  the 
constitution  or  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  conferring  in(inisitorial  powers  for  the  ap- 
plication of  the  test  iipon  a  botly  unknown  to  the  constitution. 


426  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

In  the  arbitrary  exclusion  f  i-om  their  seats  in  the  Assembly  of  the  commissioners 
of  a  Presbyter}',  not  only  without  hearing,  but  on  statements  as  the  premises  of  the 
action  wholly  imtrue  and  defamatory  of  a  minister  in  good  standing.  And  also  in 
making  the  exclusion  on  a  ground  that  jivats  the  Assembly  itself  and  the  constitution 
at  the  mercy  of  a  factious  majority  at  any  time ;  and  on  the  assumj^tion  that  the 
right  of  representation  in  the  Assembly  is  not  inherent  in  the  Presbyteries,  but  de- 
rived, by  grant  of  i^rerogative,  from  the  Assembly,  and  held  at  its  i^leasure. 

In  assuming  to  order  certain  men  to  be  recognized  as  ruling  elders  in  a  congrega- 
tion, not  only  indhectly  in  contempt  of  the  congregation,  but  directly  in  contempt 
of  the  Presbytery  and  the  Synod,  before  which  courts  their  cases  were  pending  and 
Tinder  careful  consideration. 

In  assuming  first  to  pronounce  sentence  upon  a  protest  as  a  slander,  and  then  to 
summon  its  signers  individually  to  the  bar  of  the  next  Assembly  for  trial,  without 
form  of  citation  or  charges,  in  form,  brought  against  them.  In  assuming  to  annex 
to  the  sentence  thus  pronounced  without  hearing  a  i^enalty  unknown  to  the  consti- 
tution, and  directly  at  variance  with  the  fundamental  concei^tion  of  the  ministerial 
office  in  our  Church,  as  a  double  office  of  teaching  and  ruling  in  the  church  courts, 
in  ordering  them  to  be  stripped  of  a  part  of  the  inherent  functions  of  their  office  by 
excluding  them  from  Presbj'tery  and  Synod,  and  thus  creating  a  nondescript  semi- 
office-bearer  in  the  Church — a  presbyter  disqualified  to  sit  in  a  Presbytery,  and  yet 
a  teacher  and  ruler  of  the  congregation. 

In  ordaining  a  self-inflicting  penalty  of  dissolution  upon  the  Presbyterj'  which 
shall  decline  to  be  the  exectitioner  of  the  foregoing  anomalous  sentence,  which,  if 
obeyed,  on  the  other  hand,  must  operate  a  reconstruction  of  the  Presbytery,  with  a 
view  to  future  use  as  both  judge  and  executioner — a  form  of  penalty  utterly  es- 
chewed by  all  free  civil  governments,  and  associated  historically  with  the  rule  of 
tyrants  only. 

And  as  the  linal  result  of  all  these  usurpations,  and  without  hearing  or  form  of 
trial,  first  excluding  twelve  Presbyteries,  as  before  excluding  the  one,  from  repre- 
sentation in  the  Assembly,  and  next  declaring  two  Synods,  with  their  twelve  Presby- 
teries-Synods and  Presbyteries  whose  constitutional  rights  as  part  of  the  Church 
had  never  been  questioned— to  be  no  true  Synods  and  Presbyteries. 

This  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained  that  the  claim  set  up  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  incidentally  in  these  cases  of  iisurpation,  and  directly  in  other  acts 
and  deliverances,  of  the  right  to  conc\irrent  jurisdiction  with  the  lower  coiirts  and 
of  general  powers,  under  that  to  "decide  all  controversies  of  doctrine  and  disci- 
pline, and  the  si;ppression  of  schismatical  contentions,"  to  be  exercised  at  discre- 
tion, and  not  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  are  utterly  sub- 
versive of  our  whole  constitutional  system.  That  the  power  of  the  Assembly,  par- 
ticularly, is  over  the  exercises  of  the  power  of  the  lower  courts,  and  not  over  the 
suVjjects  of  their  jurisdiction.  That  it  is  only  appellate,  corrective,  and  reforma- 
tory of  the  exercises  of  their  power  by  the  lower  courts ;  and  that  the  exercise  of 
this  power  is  to  be  only  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  which 
fully  provides  for  every  jjossible  case  in  which  it  may  be  needfiil  for  the  Assembly 
to  take  up  and  decide  controversies  or  supjiress  schismatical  contentions,  since  by 
the  provision  for  general  control,  in  cases  wherein  the  lower  courts  prove  unfaith- 
ful to  duty,  by  the  substitution  of  "common  fame,"  as  appellant,  complainant,  or 
prosecutor,  the  cases  of  controversies  and  schismatical  contentions  may  be  brought 
before  the  Assembly  precisely  as  appeals  come,  and  thus  be  brought  under  all  the 
provisions  made  for  the  exercise  of  the  Assembly's  appellate  power.  No  such  anti- 
constitatioual  i^rinciple  c<an  be  tolerated  by  Presbyterianism,  as  the  exercise  of 
powers  at  discretion,  and  not  directed  by  the  constitution. 

In  like  manner,  this  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained  tbat  all  theories 
of  power,  by  prerogative  or  otherwise  descending  by  grant  from  the  General  Assem- 
bly to  the  lower  courts,  as  well  as  all  theories  of  the  spiritual,  like  the  civil  power, 
being  granted  bj'  the  people,  are  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  great  truth,  that  the 
source  of  all  spiritual  jjower  is  in  the  Lord  Christ,  who  visibly  rules  in  the  Church, 
and  therefore  in  the  tribunals,  in  which,  both  inferior  and  supreme,  he  hath  vested 
the  power  by  that  promise,  made  alike  to  the  church  session  and  the  Assembly — his 
promise,  "I  am  with  you." 

This  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  maintained,  however,  that  while  the  source 
of  power  in  all  the  courts  alike  is  Jesus,  the  King,  who  rules  in  them  and  through 
them,  yet  the  (constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  in  accordance  with  the 
Word  of  God,  assigns  to  the  courts  respectively  their  several  powers  and  duties, 
and  prescribes  the  mode  in  whi(;h  these  powers  are  to  be  exercised.  In  this  respect 
it  is  a  solemn  covenant  before  God  between  the  people,  the  offi(ce-bearers,  and  the 


Sec.  635.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  427 

courts.  The  claim,  by  any  court,  to  exercise  powers  not  assigned  to  it  is  a  breacli 
of  the  covenant. 

In  its  human  aspect  this  constitution  is  a  charter  covenant,  under  which  fran- 
chises are  enjoyed  and  property  vested  for  the  maintenance  of  a  certain  system  of 
doctrine  and  order.  The  claim  to  exercise  powers  not  assigned  involves  also  a 
breach  of  contract  and  dishonest  dealing  in  temporal  things  with  those  who  have 
joint  interest  under  the  charter.  Both  divine  and  human  law  is  therefore  infringed 
by  such  acts  of  iism-pation  as  those  against  which  these  protests  have  been  uttered. 
The  dishonest}'  becomes  simply  monstrous  when  men  are  declared  to  have  no 
longer  any  interest  in  the  charter,  because  they  have  protested  against  gross  viola- 
tions of  it. 

Such  are  substantially  the  general  doctrines  concerning  the  Church  and  the  prin- 
ci^jles  of  the  constitution  for  which  this  .Synod  and  its  Presbyteries  have  testiiied 
during  the  recent  struggle  with  the  General  Assembly.  They  are  manifestly  doc- 
trines and  principles  fundamental  in  the  system  of  Presbyterianism.  And  the  fact 
that  thej-  should  have  been  so  little  regarded  vmder  the  lirst  exjwsure  of  our  system 
to  the  storms  of  national  revolution  would  seem  to  be  a  providential  indication, 
pointing  to  the  necessity  of  a  re-statement  of  them — perhaps  in  a  manner  fuller, 
clearer,  and  more  forcible  than  here  presented — to  stand  as  a  guide  in  the  future 
among  the  historical  iuteriiretations  of  our  constitution. 

This  Synod  feels  unwdliug  to  enter  into  organic  union  with  any  large  and  power- 
ful organization  again  ^\•ithout  some  such  guarantee  to  its  churches  and  people 
against  troubles  in  future,  similar  to  those  jiist  passed  through,  from  want  of  a 
clear  understanding  that  the  Church  shall  have  no  jjolitical  alliance;  that  the  con- 
stitution is  supreme,  not  the  accidental  majority  of  an  Assembly;  and  that  this 
constitution  not  only  assigns  their  powers  to  the  courts,  but  prescribes  the  mode  of 
their  existence,  and  thus  full}'  protects  the  great  Prt)testaut  doctrine  of  jn-ivate 
judgment  and  liberty  of  conscience.  J.  T.  Hendkick,  Modemtor. 

635.  Ilistorij  of  the  schism  in  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.    . 

The  following  outline  of  the  attitude  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  to  the  General 
Assemblies,  North  and  South,  prior  to  1868,  ^^^th  a  statement  of  the  causes  leading 
to  its  separation  from  the  Northern  Assembly,  will  be  of  interest,  and  is  gleaned 
from  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod : 

When  the  Southern  Synods  withdrew  from  the  General  Assembly,  in  1861,  the 
Sjmod  of  Kentucky  retained  its  connection  with  that  body,  declaring  that  ' '  it  ad- 
heres with  unbroken  purpose  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  ITnited  States  of 
America,  and  hereby  enjoms  upon  all  its  members,  and  ui^on  all  Tinder  its  control 
and  care,  to  avoid  all  divisive  and  schismatical  courses,  to  cultivate  the  i^eace  of 
the  Church,  and  to  jiractice  great  mutual  f orbearence. "  At  the  same  time  the 
Synod  "regi-ets  that  part  of  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly  touching  the  order  for 
a  day  of  general  prayer,  which  was  liable  to  be  construed,  and  was  construed,  into 
a  requisition  on  all  the  members  and  office-bearers  of  the  Church  living  in  the 
numerous  States  which  had  seceded  from  the  United  States,  and  were  in  a  state  of 
war  with  them,  as  bound  by  Christian  duty,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Church, 
to  disregard  the  hostile  goverimients  which  had  been  established  over  them,  and, 
in  defiance  of  the  actual  authority  of  those  governments,  to  pray  for  their  over- 
throw." The  subject-matter  of  this  action  Synod  regarded  as  purely  political  and 
incompetent  to  a  spiritual  court.  The  Synod,  furthermore,  deplored  the  schism 
which  had  occurred  in  the  Southern  States,  and  in  it  saw  a  "  sad  proof  of  the  want 
of  wisdom  in  that  action  of  the  Assembly  which  had  been  the  chief  pretext  for  it. 
At  the  same  time  it  condemned  the  schism  itself  as  being  withoiit  sufficient  justifi- 
cation. Synod  also  withdrew  from  co-operation  with  the  Boards  of  Education  and 
Domestic  Missions.  <* 

The  Assembly  of  1862,  by  way  of  review,  condemned  the  above  deliverance  of 
the  Synod  as  to  the  day  of  prayer  and  the  so-called  schism. 

In  1864,  the  Synod,  in  reviewing  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly  of  that  year,  felt 
constrained  to  express  its  disapproval  of  that  Assembly's  deliverance  on  slaverj'  as 
being  unnecessary,  unwise,'  and  untimely.  Synod  regarded  it  as  a  ])olitical,  if  not 
a  partisan  statement,  and  caused  it  to  ajjpear  as  though  the  Assembly  were  "cast- 
ing its  influence  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  political  parties  which  divided  the 
country."  While  expressing  these  views  Synod  again  declared  that  it  adhered  with 
unbroken  p)irpose  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
The  Assembly  of  1865  condemned  the  Synod  for  thus  taking  exception  to  its  action 
on  slavery. 


428  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

In  1865  a  paper  was  offered  by  Dr.  E.  J.  Breckinridge,  calling  in  question  the 
right  of  those  members  of  the  Presbj'tery  of  Loiiisville  and  others  who  have  en- 
dorsed and  adopted  the  paper  styled  the  ' '  Declaration  and  Testimony  "  to  sit  and 
act  as  members  of  the  Synod  Kentucky.  The  i^aper  said  that,  by  such  act  of  sign- 
ing, these  brethren  ' '  assume  such  a  state  of  open  rebellion  against  the  Chiirch,  and 
open  contempt  and  defiance  of  her  scriptural  aiithority,  and  such  contempt  of  her 
faith  and  order  and  acts,  as  to  render  each  and  every  one  of  them  unqualified,  un- 
lit, and  incompetent  to  sit  and  act  as  a  member  of  this  or  any  other  court  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.     This  paper  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  22  to  107. 

This  same  Synod,  furthermore,  adopted  an  elaborate  paper  offered  by  Jiadge 
Sampson,  in  which  it  took  exception  to  the  Assembly's  order  to  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions to  appoint  as  missionaries  ' '  none  but  those  who  give  satisfactory  evidence  of 
their  loyalty  to  the  national  government,  and  that  they  are  in  cordial  sympathy  with 
the  General  Assembly  in  its  testimonies  on  doctrine,  loyalty,  and  freedom. "  The 
Sjnod  ]i;dged  this  act  to  be  unwise,  and  tending  to  destroy  the  peace  and  harmony 
of  the  Church.  The  vote  on  this  was  76  to  22.  But  in  the  same  pajDer,  Synod,  by 
a  vote  of  57  to  35,  expressed  its  judgment  that  neither  this  action  nor  any  of  the 
acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  on  the  state  of  the  country  during  the  war 
justify  a  withdrawal  from  its  connection  with  .the  General  Assembly ;  and  it  again 
asserted  that  "we  will  adhere,  with  iinbroken  i^urpose,  to  the  Presbj^terian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  will  oppose  every  effort  to  interrupt  oiir  eccle- 
siastical relations  with  the  General  Assembly. "  Also,  by  a  vote  of  54  to  46,  it  ex- 
pressed its  disapprobation  of  the  terms  of  the  ' '  Declaration  and  Testimony, "  and 
of  its  si^irit  and  intent,  indicated  on  its  face,  as  looking  to  the  further  agitation  of 
the  Church,  if  not  its  division,  at  a  time  when '  great  mutual  forbearance  is  called 
for  among  brethren,  to  the  end  that  we  may  have  quietness  and  repose. 

The  Northern  Assembly  (Old  School)  adopted,  in  1866,  what  is  known  as  the 
"  Gurley  ijm)  facto  Order,"  in  which  the  signers  of  the  "Declaration  and  Testi- 
mony," and  the  members  of  the  Louisville  Presbytery  who  voted  to  adopt  that 
paper,  were  summoned  to  apjjear  before  the  next  General  Assembly,  to  answer  for 
"what  they  had  done  in  this  matter,  and  l)y  which,  further,  until  their  case  is  de- 
cided, they  shall  not  be  permitted  to  sit  as  members  of  any  Church  court  higher 
than  a  session.  That  action  went  on  to  say  that  if  any  Presbytery  shall  disregard 
this  action  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  at  any  meeting  enroll,  as  entitled  to  a 
seat  in  the  body,  one  or  more  of  the  jjersons  designated  in  the  above  resolution  and 
summoned  to  appear  before  the  next  General  Assembly,  then  that  Presbytery  shall 
ipso  fdcto  be  dissolved ;  and  that  Synods,  at  their  next  stated  meetings,  in  making 
up  their  rolls,  shall  be  guided  and  governed  by  this  action  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Carrying  out  the  letter  and  siurit  of  this  order,  Kev.  S.  S.  McEoberts,  stated 
clerk  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  at  its  meeting  in  Henderson,  in  October,  1866,  pro- 
ceeded to  call  the  roll,  omitting  the  names  of  a  large  majority  of  the  members  of 
the  first  Presbytery  selected  by  him.  The  moderator,  Eev.  Eobert  L.  Breck,  di- 
rected him  to  call  the  roll  of  all  the  constituent  members  and  churches  of  the  Synod. 
Declaring  his  unwillingness  to  do  this,  he  was  ordered  by  the  moderator,  in  the 
name  of  the  Synod,  to  perform  this  duty,  which  he  again  refused  to  do.  The  mod- 
erator then  annoi;nced  that  he  was  charged  with  the  duty  of  directing  all  i^roceed- 
ings  to  the  organization  of  the  house  for  biisiness;  that  though  the  Synod  was  pre- 
sent, its  members  were  unknown  until  the  roll  should  be  called;  he  therefore  could 
not  relieve  himself  by  the  submission  to  the  house  of  the  question  as  to  the  mode 
of  procedure ;  that  in  the  nature  of  the  case,  in  view  of  the  difficulties  of  any  other 
course  and  according  to  our  rules,  the  first  and  only  thing  at  that  time  in  order,  was 
the  calling  of  the  roll ;  that,  as  the  stated  clerk  had  refused  to  call  it,  and  there  was 
nothing  in  our  book  making  it  essential  that  this  should  be  done  by  the  clerk,  since 
the  necessity  was  put  upon  him,  he  would  proceed  to  call  it  himself ;  that  as  it  was 
not  c(flbpetent  for  him  to  decide  concerning  the  membership  of  the  Synod  as  af- 
fected by  anything  that  may  have  transiaired  in  the  recess  of  the  body,  he  could 
only  recognize  the  Synod  as  it  was  and  is,  unaffected  by  anything  not  its  own  act, 
and  leave  the  question  of  membership  to  be  decided  by  the  body  when  it  should  be 
organized.  He  thereupon  proceeded  to  call  the  official  rolls  of  the  Presbyteries, 
and  requested  Dr.  Hill  to  assist  him  by  taking  down  the  names.  A  motion  that  the 
house  sustain  this  action  of  the  moderator  was  declared  out  of  order.  Nevertheless, 
to  avoid  all  api)earance  of  severe  or  i)artial  ruling,  the  moderator  declared  that, 
contrary  to  his  clear  conviction  as  to  order,  he  would  put  the  motion  and  take  the 
vote  if  there  was  evidence  of  a  general  desire  for  a  test  of  the  sense  of  those  per- 
sent.  There  being  no  further  expression  of  such  desire,  the  vote  was  not  jjut.  The 
moderator  then  proceeded  to  call  the  roll.      Dr.  E.  J.  Breckinridge  called  on  those 


Sec.  636.  ]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  429 

agreeing  with  him  and  adhering  to  the  General  Assembly  not  to  answer  to  the  call. 
The  roll  call  being  completed,  the  Synod  was  oi-ganized .  A  number  of  persons  en- 
titled to  seats  in  Synod,  including  the  stated  clerk,  who  retained  the  records,  there- 
upon withdrew  from  the  house.     These  organized  a  separate  Synod. 

Synod  pronounced  the  Gurlej'  Order  an  overstretch  of  power,  and  said  that  in  the 
declared  contingent  dissolution  of  Presbyteries  which  that  order  effects,  the  As- 
sembly has  attributed  to  its  measures  and  ordinances  a  force  and  operation  counte- 
nanced by  no  provision  or  principle  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church.  It  also  de- 
clared that  it  was  not  the  Synod's  purpose  to  make  any  change  of  its  formal  eccle- 
siastical relations,  but  to  continue  to  stand  in  its  j^resent  po.sition  of  open  protest 
and  resistance  to  the  enforcement  of  the  acts  of  the  General  Assemblies  of  18(Jl-"66, 
concerning  "doctrine,  loyaltj',  and  freedom,"  as  unconstitutional,  and  therefore 
null  and  void. 

As  to  the  relative  strength  of  the  constitutional  and  seceding  Synods,  of  108 
ministers,  the  number  who  withdrew  was  32,  taking  \vith  them  28  iiding  eldei-s,  re- 
presenting a  membership  of  1,8U0.  The  number  of  churches  in  the  Synod  prior  to 
the  schism  was  163;  the  number  of  members,  11,250.  Of  the  seceding  ministers 
7  were  jjastors,  'J  were  stated  supplies,  15  without  charge,  and  1  an  evangelist. 

A  letter  was  addressed  by  Synod  to  the  chvirches  and  people  uuder  its  charge,  in 
vindication  of  its  course,  which  letter  is  found  on  page  27  of  the  printed  minutes. 

The  General  Assembly  recognized  the  seceders  as  the  true  Synod,  and  declared 
the  regular  Synod  which  sat  in  Hendei-son,  and  its  Presbyteries,  no  longer  a  true 
Synod  and  Presbyteries  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Synod,  at  a  called  meeting,  held  in  Lexington  in  June,  1867,  declared  that  this 
action  M^as  null  and  void,  and  that  the  General  Assembly  had  ceased  any  longer  to 
be  a  constitutional  General  Assembly,  biit  a  schismatical  and  revolutionary  body, 
no  longer  governed  by  the  constitution,  but  controlled  simjjly  by  the  will  of  the 
majority ;  that  the  Assembly  having,  by  its  own  acts,  separated  from  the  Synod, 
the  Synod  now  makes  solemn  declaration  of  this  fact  upon  its  records,  and  further 
declares  that  it  will  in  the  future  govern  its  action  bj'  this  recognized  sundering  of 
all  its  relations  to  the  Assembly  by  the  acts  of  that  body  itself. 

Synod,  at  its  session  in  October,  1867,  having  sent  a  deputation  to  the  Nashville 
Assembly,  did,  at  its  meeting  in  1868,  adopt  the  following,  offered  by  Eev.  J.  T. 
Hendrick,  D.  D. : 

' '  Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
received  our  commissioners  with  gi-eat  kindness  and  cordialitj',  and  approved  and 
published  in  their  Minutes  our  statement  of  the  doctrines  and  testimony;  and 
whereas  this  Synod  is  i^erfectly  satisfied  that  an  organic  union  with  said  Assembly 
is  most  desu-able,  and  will  lUtimateh-  be  consummated;  and  whereas  a  higlily  re- 
spectable portion  of  this  Synod  believe  that  such  an  organic  union  at  this  time 
would  be  greatly  injurious  to  a  number  of  our  churches,  and  perhaps  jeopardize 
other  interests  in  the  State ;  therefore, 

' '  Besulped,  That,  as  the  linal  action  of  this  Synod,  the  whole  subject  be  referred  to 
the  Presbyteries,  for  such  action  as  may  be  deemed  most  advisable,  to  send  dele- 
gates to  the  next  Assembly  or  not. " 

As  the  result  of  this  action,  delegates  appeared  in  the  Assembly  of  1869  from  all 
the  Presbyteries  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and  were  enrolled.  —A. 

636.    Union  with  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

1867,  p.  143.  Rev.  A.  P.  Forman,  delegate  from  the  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri, addressed  the  house,  assuring  the  Assembly  of  the  most  cordial 
sympathy  of  that  venerable  Synod,  and  bearing  testimony  to  theii-  sin- 
cere wishes  for  our  prosjDerity.  To  this  address  the  moderator  made  a 
suitable  reply. 

The  subject  i^resented  by  the  delegate  from  Missouri  was  referred  to 
a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Jolm 
Jones,  and  J.  A.  Leland,  to  bring  in  a  proper  minute  for  adoption  by 
the  Assembly. 

P.  149.  This  committee  presented  a  report,  which  was  adopted,  and 
is  as  follows : 

This  Assembly  has  heard  with  profoimd  interest  the  communication 
made  by  the  Rev.  A.  P.  Forman  on  behalf  of  the  S}Tiod  of  INIissouri, 


430  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

and  desires  to  place  on  record  its  high  appreciation  of  the  principles 
and  conduct  of  that  venerable  Synod  as  set  forth  by  Mr.  Forman. 

The  Assembly  expresses  its  deep  sympathy  for  the  brethren  in  Mis- 
souri, both  officers  and  members  of  the  Church,  in  the  great  fight  of 
affliction  through  which  they  have  not  yet  fully  passed,  though  it  is 
hoped  they  have  successfully  encomitered  the  greatest  trials  to  which 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  has  been  pleased  to  call  them. 

The  Assembly  feels  entire  confidence  in  the  full  and  cordial  attach- 
ment of  the  ministers  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  chvu'ches  in 
Missouri,  as  represented  in  the  Synod,  for  the  jDrinciples  of  doctrine  and 
church  order  set  forth  in  the  time-honored  standards  of  our  Chiirch, 
and  is  entirely  persuaded  that,  should  that  Synod  be  prepared  to  form 
an  organic  union  with  this  Chiu'ch,  no  difficulties  could  arise  owing  to 
discrepancies  of  opinion  on  any  fundamental  or  important  doctrines  of 
the  gosj)el,  or  any  theories  of  chui'ch  government  which  find  a  practi- 
cal expression  in  our  standards. 

As  to  the  future  relations  of  this  Synod,  the  Assembly  does  not  feel 
prepared  to  express  any  opinion,  whatever  it  may  desire.  But  it  is  due 
to  us  and  to  them  to  say,  that  this  Assembly  cordially  sympathizes  with 
the  Synod  of  Missouri,  as  represented  by  Mr.  Forman,  in  expressing  a 
longing  desire  for  the  day  when  throughout  om*  land  aU  who  agree 
with  us  in  the  great  truths  of  the  "  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,"  and 
especially  who  fully  sympathize  in  our  position  as  a  truly  simply  spirit- 
ual body,  ever  testifying  for  the  supreme  and  sole  authority  of  the  divine 
and  exalted  Head  of  the  Church,  shall  constitute  one  organized  Chris- 
tian communion,  prepared  by  the  spiritual  weapons  of  her  warfare  to 
contend  earnestl}^  "  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,"  and  suc- 
cessful in  "casting  down  imaginations  and  every  high  thing  that  ex- 
alteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bring-ing  into  captivity 
eveiy  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ." 

1871,  p.  21.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  beg  leave 
to  make  the  following  additional  report : 

The  General  Assembly  has  been  weU  pleased  to  receive  the  Christian 
and  fi-aternal  salutations  of  the  Eev.  R.  P.  Farias,  D.  D.,  the  Rev.  J.  L. 
Yantis,  D.  D.,  and  Mr.  Edward  Bredell,  delegates  from  the  Sjoiod  of 
Missoviri  (Old  School),  and  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
resolutions : 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  gratefuUy  acknowledges  and  highly 
appreciates  the  Christian  salutations  of  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri as  expressed  by  its  delegates,  and  does  hereby  cordially  invite 
them  to  a  seat  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly. 

2.  That  the  Assembly  hereby  expresses  its  Christian  sympathy  with 
the  Synod  of  Missouri  in  the  trials  to  which  it  has  been  subjected  dur- 
ing the  past  as  a  witnessing  Church  for  Christ's  crown  and  kingdom, 
and  do  rejoice  in  its  steadfast  faith,  success  and  prosperit3^ 

3.  That  the  Assembly  does  hereby  appoint  the  Rev.  David  WiUs, 
D.  D.,  principal,  and  the  Rev.  R.  Mclnnis,  alternate,  commissioners  to  at- 
tend the  meeting  of  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missouri,  to  convene  at 
Cape  Girardeau  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  October,  1871,  and  bear  to 
it  the  fraternal  regards  of  the  Assembly.     Adopted. 

1873,  p.  330.  "Whereas  it  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  General 
Assembly  that  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missouri  did  at  its  late  session 
in  Missouri  appoint  a  Committee  of  Conference  to  meet  a  similar  com- 


Sec.  637.         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Othee  Bodies.  431 

mittee  of  this  Assembly,  and  a  committee  of  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Eeformed  Chiuch,  should  such  committee  be  appointed,  to  bring  about 
closer  relations  between  this  Assembly  and  that  Sj-nod ;  therefore  be  it 

liesolved,  That  this  Assembly  appoint  the  Committee  of  Conference 
to  meet  such  committee,  and  said  committee  shall  be  the  one  ah'eady 
appointed  to  meet  the  committee  from  the  General  Sj^nod  of  the  Re- 
formed Chui'ch.  It  shall  have  the  same  powers,  and  shall  report  to  the 
next  General  Assembly. 

Hesolvecl,  That  said  committee  have  full  jDower  to  till  all  vacancies 
which  may  occur*. 

The  following  were  the  committee :  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  WHUam  Brown,  D.  D.,  Major  T.  J. 
Kii'kiDatrick,  William  Henry  Smith,  General  A.  M.  Scales,  and  R.  K. 
Smoot.     (P.  313.) 

1874,  p.  479.  The  stated  clerk  reported  that  the  following  delegates 
from  Presb^'teries  belonging  to  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missoim  had 
presented  regular  commissions  with  a  view  to  being  connected  with  this 
body  as  constituent  parts  thereof,  viz. :  [Here  follows  a  hst  of  com- 
missioners from  the  six  Presbyteries  of  the  S\Tiod.]  Whereupon  the 
following  resolution,  oliered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Plumer,  was  adoj^ted 
unanimously,  the  Assembly  rising  when  the  vote  was  taken : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  with  peculiar  pleasiu'e  we  welcome  among  us 
our  brethren  from  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  and  that  we  congratulate 
them  and  the  churches  they  represent,  and  our  entu'e  communion,  on 
the  happy  consummation  of  our  reunion,  to  which  the  providence  of  God 
has  long  pointed,  and  for  which  the  Lord  has  fully  and  happily  opened 
the  way. 

liesolved,  That  all  the  commissioners  now  present  from  Presb}i:eries 
in  the  Synod  of  ]\Iissoui-i  be  at  once  enrolled  as  members  of  this  body, 
and  that  without  further  action  the  names  of  other  commissioners  from 
the  S^Tiod  of  Missouri  shall  in  hke  manner  be  eni'olled  when  they  shall 
present  their  commissions. 

The  moderator  then  addi'essed  the  delegates  from  Missouri,  extend- 
ing to  them  a  most  hearty  welcome  to  seats  in  this  body  and  a  home  in 
the  Southern  Presb^-terian  Church.  To  this  addi-ess  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Yantis  made  an  appropriate  response. 

637.  /Some  account  of  the  schism  in  Jfissouri,  and  of  the  step  that  led 
to  union  icith  the  Assembly. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  (Old  School)  adopted,  in  18()G,  what  is  popularly  known  as  the  Gurley 
ipso  facto  Order,  declaring  the  dissolution  of  such  Synods  and  Presbyteries  as  should 
allow  a  signer  of  the  ' '  Declaration  and  Testimony  "  to  take  his  seat. 

The  SjTiod  of  Missouri  being  at  the  time  in  connection  \\nth  that  Assembly,  met 
at  Booneville,  October  12th,  1866.  Eev.  S.  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  offered  the  follow- 
ing in  that  body : 

Resolred,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  complete  the  roll  in  accordance 
with  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly,  excluding  signers  of  the  Declaration  and 
Testimony  from  sitting  in  any  church  court  higher  than  a  session  until  their  cases 
have  been  decided  by  the  General  Assembly. 

lluling  Elder  D.  H.  Bishop  offered  the  following  substitute: 

Whereas  the  standards  of  the  Church  are  authoritative  above  the  order  of  any 
church  coint,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony  are  not  slanderers, 
schismatics,  and  rebels  against  ecclesiastical  authority,  but  have  simply  exercised  a 
great  Protestant  right,  and  discharged  a  solenm  duty. 


432  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VII. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sj'nod,  having  no  evidence  that  these  brethren  are  not  in 
good  and  regular  standing  iu  their  respective  Presbyteries  and  sessions,  cannot, 
•without  violating  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  deny  them  seats. 

The  Bishop  substitute  was  adopted.  Whereupon  a  number  of  members  of  Synod 
"withdrew  from  the  house,  announcing  a  purpose  to  organize  a  new  Synod.  This 
new  Sj'nod  has  been  popularly  known  as  the  "Assembly  Synod."  The  Synod  from 
which  these  brethren  withdrew  continued  to  be  known  as  the  "Old  School  Synod 
of  Missouri. " 

The  Assembly  of  1867  endorsed  the  acts  and  ordinance  of  the  Assembly  of  186G, 
and  required  the  Old  School  Sjmod  to  dissolve  their  time-honored  and  constitu- 
tional organization,  and  ajiply  as  ministers  and  churches  for  admission  to  the  As- 
sembly Synod,  founded  in  1866  by  the  secession  of  a  minority  of  the  members,  and 
which  the  Assembly  recognized  as  the  only  true  and  lawful  Synod.  The  Old  School 
Synod,  at  its  meeting  in  the  fall  of  1867,  declined  to  do  so,  and  resolved  to  main- 
tain its  organization.  The  Assembly  declared  them  not  to  be  a  tru3  and  rightful 
court  of  Christ.  The  Synod  said  they  claimed  to  be  still  members  of  the  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  entitled  to  participation  in 
all  its  rights  and  privileges,  and  bound  by  all  its  duties. 

At  the  Synod  iu  Booneville,  in  1866,  "it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  a  com- 
mittee of  five,  consisting  of  three  ministers  and  two  elders,  be  ajjpointed  to  confer 
with  brethren  of  like  mind  with  us  in  maintaining  the  great  principles  for  which 
we  are  contending  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  with  a  view  to  closer  Christian 
fellowship,  and  to  solicit  aid  in  sujjplying  our  destitute  field  with  the  ministry  of 
the  Word,  but  not  with  the  view  of  entering  into  any  other  ecclesiastical  organiza- 
tion, it  being  our  purpose  to  stand  where  we  have  alwaj^s  stood — as  the  '  Synod  of 
Missouri  in  connection  with  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America.'"  * 

The  Assembly  of  1867  admitted  members  of  the  "Assembly  Synod"  Presbyte- 
ries to  seats,  and  ordered  signers  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony,  and  those  A^^ho 
acted  with  them,  to  repair  to  those  Presbyteries  and  Synods  which  had  separated, 
and  sign  a  paper,  disowning  any  intention  of  disresiject  to  the  Assembly,  or  of  re- 
bellion against  its  authority,  in  all  that  had  been  done  bj'  them  during  the  contro- 
versy. Bat  the  Synod,  both  at  Booneville,  in  1866,  and  at  Lexington,  in  1867,  re- 
fused to  obe\'  the  Assembly,  or,  on  the  other  hand,  to  seek  any  other  ecclesiastical 
connection.  (See  the  Synod's  reply  to  the  Assembly,  adojjted  unanimously  in  1867, 
which  is  of  record  in  the  Minutes  of  Sjmod  of  that  year. 

Overtures  from  Palmyra  and  Upper  Missouri  Presbyteries,  in  1870,  came  before 
the  Synod,  asking  it  to  take  action  looking  to  organic  union  with  the  Southern  As- 
sembly. The  Synod  adopted  the  following  reply:  "It  is  the  judgment  of  your 
committee  that  we  are  distinctly  called  by  the  will  of  the  Lord  to  maintain  this  po- 
sition still  (/.  e.,  that  of  ecclesiastical  independence),  that  the  jDath  of  duty  is  plain, 
and  calls  us  to  pursue  the  course  we  have  been  pursiaing. " 

In  1871  Sjmod  sent  down  to  its  Presbyteries  an  organic  union  overture.  To  this, 
two  Presbyteries  responded  favorably,  three  unfavorably,  and  in  one  there  was  a 
tie  vote.  Thereupon  Sj^nod  appointed  a  committee  of  five.  Rev.  J.  L.  Yantis,  D.  D  , 
chairman,  to  confer  with  the  Southern  Church  and  the  Reformed  Church,  as  to  the 
desirableness  and  practicability  of  union,  and  permitted  its  Presbyteries  to  send 
delegates  to  the  next  Synod  in  anticipation.  Committee :  Ministers :  Yantis,  Far- 
ris,  and  Montgomery;  Eld/rs:  Bishop  and  Him  ton. 

They  did  not  meet  the  other  committees,  but  in  1873  they  recommended  union 
with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  which  recommendation  was  adopted  by  a 
vote  of  47  to  32.  Synod  counselled  the  Presbyteries  to  send  delegates  to  the 
Southern  Assembly  of  1874,  to  be  held  in  Columbus.  The  reason  actuating  the 
Synod  in  this  step  was  the  dissatisfaction  which  existed  in  many  quarters  with  the 
independent  attitude  of  the  Synod  and  the  restlessness  of  the  churches,  wishing  to 
go  North  or  South. — A. 


Secs.638,639.]  Relations  of  the  Chi-rch  with  Other  Bodies.  433 


CHAPIEK   III. 

FRATERNAL  COliRESPONDENCE  WITH  OTHER  BODIES. 

638.  77te   Assembly  solicits    fraternal  corresjyondence    with    various 

churches. 

1861,  p.  13.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyteriau  Chui'cli  in 
the  Confederate  States  of  America  appreciates  the  precious  impox't  of 
that  memorable  prater  addressed  by  the  adorable  Redeemer  to  the 
Father,  in  full  ^dew  of  the  agony  of  the  garden  and  the  cross:  "that 
they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they 
also  may  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  beheve  that  thou  has  sent 
me;"  and  impeUed  by  a  sincere  desire  to  meet  the  full  measure  of  re- 
sponsibility which  devolves  upon  us  as  a  branch  of  Christ's  visible 
Chui'ch,  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  vastly  important  petition,  would 
most  earnestly  endeavor  to  draw  closer  the  bonds  of  Christian  inter- 
course and  communion  between  all  chui'ches  of  like  faith  and  order  in 
the  Confederate  States  of  America.  This  Assembly,  therefore,  affec- 
tionately sohcits  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  follo\ring  chm'ches, 
riz. :  The  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  the  L'nited  Sjiiod 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the 
German  Reformed  Synod,  within  the  Confederate  States.  And  in  order 
to  consummate  this,  our  Christian  purpose  and  desire,  the  Assembly 
"will,  at  its  present  session,  appoint  and  commission  delegates  to  the 
aforesaid  chui'ches,  with  full  j)ower  and  authority  to  arrange  and  adopt 
articles  of  permanent  intercourse  and  correspondence,  which,  however, 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  Assembly  for  its  ratification  or  rejection. 

1862,  p.  14  The  General  Assembly  need  scarcely  re-assert  its  earn- 
est desire  to  cultivate  friendly  relations  with  churches  professing  the 
same  doctrines,  and  i^racticing  the  same  pohty.  The  unity  of  God's 
people  is  not  only  a  reahty,  but  it  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  this 
unity  should  be  manifested  to  the  world.  Where  this  is  not  practica- 
ble this  Assembly  is  ready  to  do  all  that  is  consistent  with  truth  to  pro- 
mote peace,  and  hopes  that  the  charity  which  is  the  "  bond  of  perfect- 
ness"  wnM  ever  characterize  its  intercourse  with  other  ecclesiastical 
bodies. 

639.  A  deputation  sent  to  tlie  churches  of  Great  Britain  and  the  con- 

tinent of  Europe. 

18G6,  p.  31.  Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  our  Church  did, 
upon  its  first  organization  in  1861,  make  an  explicit  declaration,  in  an 
Address  to  all  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth,  of 
its  sincere  desu'e  to  hold  fellowship  as  far  as  practicable  with  all  the 
true  disciples  of  our  common  Lord  and  Sariour  in  all  the  world : 

And  whereas,  We  are  led  to  hope  that  important  and  happy  results 
may  be  seciu'ed  in  promoting  the  great  ends  of  Chi'istian  fellowship, 
by  the  appointment  of  chosen  brethren,  whose  dutv  it  shall  be,  as  our 
28 


434  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

representatives,  to' bear  these  expressions  of  our  views  and  wishes  to 
such  Christians,  chiu'ches,  and  societies,  in  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  and,  if  deemed  best,  on  the  continent  of  Europe  also,  as 
the  providence  of  God  may  designate,  and  to  explain  to  them,  as  oppor- 
tunity may  offer,  the  character,  condition,  work,  and  prospects  of  our 
beloved  Zion :  and  to  receive  such  contributions  as  may  be  voluntarily 
offered  in  aid  of  our  general  schemes  of  evangelization ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  General  Assembly  does  now  appoint  the  Eev. 
M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Gii-ar- 
deau,  to  this  important  mission,  and  earnestly  solicit  their  acceptance 
of  the  same. 

Resolved,  2,  That  in  view  of  the  privation  to  which  the  congrega- 
tions of  these  brethren  will  be  subjected  during  their  absence,  the  As- 
sembly does  hereby  request  their  cheerful  concurrence  in  a  measure 
considered  by  the  Church  to  be  one  of  so  much  interest,  and  whose 
successful  prosecution  must  so  greatly  depend,  under  God,  upon  the 
pecuhar  fitness  of  those  to  w^hom  it  is  entrusted. 

Resolved,  3,  That  the  moderator  and  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  fur- 
nish the  brethren  here  appointed  with  an  attested  copy  of  this  joaper, 
and  with  such  other  testimonials  as  may  be  considered  proper. 

Resolved,  4,  That  the  Executive  Committees  of  Domestic  Missions 
and  Publication  be  directed  to  make  such  a  provision  for  the  expenses 
of  this  mission  as  may  be  deemed  suitable. 

1867,  p.  146.  A  letter  was  received  from  Rev.  Dr.  Hoge,  assigning 
satisfactory  reasons  why  the  commission  appointed  by  the  last  Assem- 
bly to  visit  various  churches  in  Eiu'ope  had  not  fiilfiUed  the  mission ; 
and  the  commission  was  discharged. 

640.    Correspondence  loith  the  Methodist  Episcopal  (Jhurch,  South. 

1867,  p.  138.  A  memorial  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  establishing  a  correspondence  with  the  General  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  The  following  answer  was 
adopted  by  the  Assembly : 

Resolved,  That,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Methodist  General  Con- 
ference meets  so  much  less  frequently  than  our  Assembly,  such  corres- 
pondence could  not  convenientl}'  be  conducted  with  any  special  advan- 
tages greater  than  what  are  already  possessed  by  occasional  ministerial 
intercourse,  and  the  intercommunion  of  our  people. 

1870,  p.  508.  In  response  to  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  bishops 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  recently  assembled  in  the  city  of 
Memphis,  and.  transmitted  to  us  through  the  Rev.  Dr.  A.  H.  Kerr,  con- 
vening their  "Christian  salutations  to  this  General  Assembly,  with  the 
expression  of  their  profoundest  regards,  and  with  their  most  earnest 
prayei'S  for  the  presence  and  blessing  of  God  upon  its  deliberations," 
your  committee  recommend  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  recognizes  in  this  fraternal 
greeting  a  beautiful  illustration  of  that  "unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
bonds  of  peace,"  whereby  the  different  parts  of  the  one  catholic  visible 
Church  of  the  Redeemer  represent  to  the  world  that,  amidst  minor  di- 
versities, they  still  have  "one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism."  And  the 
Assembly  hereby  directs  its  stated  clerk  to  transmit  to  the  bishops  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  this  cordial  reciprocation  of 
their  genei'ous  Chi'istian  affection,  with  our  fervent  jiran'ers  that  the  la- 


Secs.  641-<;4:3.j  Delations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  435 

bors  of  both  the  denominations  pai'ticipating  in  this  coiTespondence 
may  be  owned  and  blessed  b}-  oiu-  Great  Head  in  turning  many  to 
righteousness,  and  in  hastening  the  day  when  the  kingdoms  of  this 
world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Chiist. 

1878,  p.  G22.  liesolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  acknowledge 
the  reception  of  the  Christian  salutations  of  the  General  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  now  in  session  at  Atlanta,  Ga. 
We  send  to  them  like  greeting  of  love  and  good  wishes  for  harmony  in 
their  sessions,  and  prosperity  in  all  their  church  enter^jrises. 

641.    Greetings  froia  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  North. 
1884,  p.  233.     The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  session  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May,  1884,  unani- 
mously adopted  the  f olL  )wing  resolutions,  to- wit : 

1.  That  the  bishops  and  delegates  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  General  Conference  assembled  do  hereby  send  fraternal  greetings  to 
your  body,  and.  do  invoke  tlie  Divine  blessing  upon  your  labors  to  save 
souls  and  to  win  the  world  back  to  God. 

2.  That  the  secretaiy  of  this  Conference  be  and  is  hereby  instructed 
to  furnish  your  body  with  a  copy  of  these  resolutions. 

To  this  fraternal  salutation  a  hearty  response  was  adopted  by  the 
Assembly  and  sent  tf)  the  secretary-  of  the  Conference.     (P.  237.) 

642.  Aid  for  the   Waldensian  Churches. 
1878,  p.  656.     The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  to  whose 
consideration  was  referred  an  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  pastors  of  the 
AValdensian  Church  in  Italy,  report,  recommending : 

1.  That  this  Assembly  extend  its  heartiest  sympathies  to  this  ancient 
and  impoverished  Church. 

2.  That  the  Assembly  affectionately  urge  upon  all  believers  under  its 
care,  who  are  able  to  do  so,  to  forward  money,  in  smaller  or  larger 
sums,  to  the  Rev.  G.  D.  ]\Iathews,  of  New  York,  to  be  sent  on  by  him,  as 
the  agent  in  America  of  the  recent  General  Presbyterian  Coimcil,  to  the 
proper  authorities  of  the  Vaudois  Chui'ch. 

643.  Correspondence  with  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  IScotland. 

1873,  p.  324.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Con-espondence  beg  leave 
to  report  the  following  paper  touching  the  question  of  the  coiTespond- 
ence of  our  General  Assembly  with  the  Synod  of  the  United  Presbyte- 
rian Cluu'ch  of  Scotland : 

Wliereas  the  General  Assembly  has  been  officially  informed  that  said 
Synod  has  deputed  Rev.  John  Eadie,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  and  the  Eev. 
Hemy  Calderwood,  LL.  D.,  to  convey  to  this  body  the  fraternal  regards 
of  the  above-named  Church  ;  and 

Whereas  these  brethi-en  have  found  it  impossible  to  attend  the  ses- 
sions of  this  General  Assembly,  but  have  foi-warded  from  New  York 
their  formal  commission,  with  the  expression  oi  their  regrets  at  being 
imable  to  attend  in  person  ;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  hold  in  high  esteem  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal body  from  which  the  Scotch  deputation  has  proceeded,  and  fuUy  re- 
ciprocate the  fraternal  feelings  which  dictated  the  appointment  of  the 
above-named  delegation,  and  regret  that  their  presence  could  not  be 
enjoyed  by  this  Assembly. 


436  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Gener.\l  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Hesolved,  2,  That  this  Assembly  appoint  the  moderator  and  stated 
and  permanent  clerks  a  committee,  who  shall  be  authorized  to  commis- 
sion one  or  more  suitable  brethren,  who,  in  the  providence  of  God,  may 
find  it  in  their  power  to  attend  the  Synod  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church;  and  such  brethren  shall  be  commissioned  to  represent  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  in 
that  venerable  body. 

Hesolved,  3,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  directed  to  transmit  this  paper 
to  Drs.  Eadie  and  Calderwood,  with  the  request  that  they  will  convey  to 
the  S_vTiod  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  expressions  of  our  Chris- 
tian affection. 

644.    Correspondence  vnth  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 

1874,  p.  515.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  has  received  with  great  pleasure  the  commission, 
with  accompanying  documents,  of  the  Rev.  James  Chalmers  Burns, 
M.  A.,  and  the  Rev.  James  Hood  Wilson,  M.  A.,  deputies  from  the  Free 
Church  of  Scotland  to  this  Assembly,  appointed  to  visit  us  and  "express 
the  cordial  feehngs  of  affection  and  respect  entertained  by  the  Assem- 
bly which  they  represent"  toward  the  Chiu'ch  which  we  represent. 
This  Assembly  sincerely  regrets  that  the  other  official  engagements  of 
these  distinguished  brethren  rendered  it  impossible  for  them  to  be 
present  at  our  sessions,  and  that  we  have  been,  on  that  account,  denied 
the  privilege  of  returning  to  them,  and  through  them  to  the  Church  to 
which  they  belong,  our  fraternal  salutations  and  the  sentiments  of  pro- 
found and  affectionate  regard  which  we  entertain  for  the  Free  Church 
of  Scotland.  We  have  not  been  unobservant,  indifferent  spectators  of 
the  noble  stand  taken  by  that  Church  in  behalf  of  sound  doctrine  and 
of  the  crown-rights  of  our  Divine  Lord.  With  ourselves,  they  are  wit- 
ness-bearers for  Christ's  Kingship  in  Zion,  even  "  unto  the  spoihng  of 
their  goods." 

We  cordially  reciprocate  the  expressions  of  esteem  and  affection  con- 
tained in  the  letters  of  the  deputies  to  this  body,  and  desire  them  to 
convey  to  their  General  Assembly  our  fraternal  salutations,  and  oui- 
God-speed  to  the  venerable  Church  which  they  represent,  in  all  its  en- 
deavors to  advance  the  cause  of  our  common  Redeemer  and  Lord. 

645.     Corres2)onde>t.ce  with  the  Reformed  Episcopal    Church  in  the 

United  States. 

1876,  p.  244.  Hesolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  does  hereby 
express  its  desire  to  hold  ecclesiastical  correspondence  with  the  body 
known  as  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  and 
that  the  stated  clerk  communicate  to  the  proper  authority  of  that  body 
this  desire,  and  that  a  delegate  from  it  to  om-  next  Assembly  will  be 
fraternally  and  cordially  greeted  by  us. 

In  response  to  this  action.  Rev.  Benjamin  Johnson  bore  to  the  next 
General  Assembly  the  salutations  of  that  Church,  coming  as  an  ac- 
credited delegate. 

The  Assembly  of  1879  sent  a  message  of  fraternal  salutation  to  this 
Church,  recognizing  it  as  maintaining  with  us  a  struggle  for  the  same 
great  principles  for  which  our  ancestors  contended.     (P.  18.) 

This  was  repeated  in  1880,  (p.  195).  In  1882  Bishop  P.  F.  Stevens 
addressed  our  Assemblv  as  their  delegate. 


Secs.  646-649.  J  Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  437 

646.   iState  Sunday-school  Convention. 

1872,  pp.  155,  156.  The  State  Sunday-school  Convention  of  South 
Carohna  and  the  General  Assembly  exchanged  gTeetings.  (See  Min- 
utes.) 

647.  Evangelical  Alliance. 

1873,  p.  333.  In  reply  to  the  communication  addressed  to  the  body 
by  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  D.  D.,  accompanied  ^ith  a  printed  "  Fra- 
ternal Api^eal,"  signed  by  sundry  others,  requesting,  among  other 
things,  that  about  twenty-five  delegates  should  be  elected  by  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  in 
New  York,  next  fall,  the  General  Assembly  adopts  the  following  paper : 

Inasmuch  as  this  General  Assembly,  at  its  first  annual  session,  in 
1861,  extended  its  fraternal  salutations  to  all  evangehcal  chm'ches 
throughout  the  world,  expressing  its  cordial  desire  to  be  in  fellowship 
with  all,  especially  those  of  similar  faith  and  order,  by  which  terms  and 
cathoUc  spirit  the  Assembly  still  abides ;  yet,  inasmuch  as  it  has  not 
now  before  it  data  sufficient  for  the  full  imderstanding  of  the  charac- 
ter and  purposes  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  and  the  extent  of  the  au- 
thority claimed  for  it  and  its  "  National  Branches  "  ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembl}^  deems  it  inexpedient  to  appoint 
delegates  to  attend  the  approaching  meeting  of  the  Evangelical  AlHance 
in  New  York,  but  expresses  the  sincere  hope  that  the  Spirit  of  grace 
may  preside  over  all  those  deliberations,  that  all  its  proceedings  may  re- 
doimd  to  the  gior}-  of  God,  in  the  advancement  of  our  common  Chris- 
tianity. 

648.    The  Young  Mens  Christian  Association. 

1881,  p.  394.  The  twenty-fourth  convention  of  the  Young  Men's 
Chi-istian  Association  of  the  United  States  and  British  provinces,  in 
session  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  sent  salutations  to  the  Assembly.  Referred 
to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence.  The  foUomng  report 
from  that  committee  was  adopted : 

The  committee,  after  much  consideration  of  the  telegram  recommitted 
to  it,  have  grave  doubts  of  the  expediency  of  this  Assembly  beginning 
to  hold  correspondence  with  other  than  ecclesiastical  bodies ;  yet,  since 
we  have  in  this  case  gone  so  far,  the  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the 
Assembly  ought  to  return  a  reply  to  the  Young  Men's  Chi'istian  Asso- 
ciation. 

Thereupon  a  suitable  dispatch  was  adopted,  and  ordered  sent.  Simi- 
lar messages  were  received  in  1883.     (See  p.  28.) 

649.  Inviting  ministers  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church  to  oc- 
cupy our  2^>dpits.' 

1865,  p.  359.  An  inquiry  from  an  elder  of  one  of  our  churches  as 
to  what  is  the  duty  and  Christian  course  of  a  church  session  when  a 
minister  or  agent  of  the  Old  School  General  Assembly  (North)  presents 
himself  amongst  us,  ^\ith  a  request  to  labor  in  our  churches  or  occupy 
one  of  our  vacant  houses  of  worship. 

Answered  by  the  adt)ption  of  the  following  resolutions : 
Resolved,   \st.    That  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  North  (Old 
School)  is  to  be  looked  upon  simply  as  a  sej^arate  and  distinct  ecclesi- 
astical body ;  and  that  the  ministers  and  agents  of  that  church  have  no 


438  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  VII. 

further  or  higher  claims  on  our  courtesy  than  any  other  churches  of 
the  same  section  of  the  country  which  hold  to  the  same  symbols  of 
faith  and  order  with  ourselves. 

Resolved,  Id,  That  this  Assembly  has  no  reason  for  recommending 
any  other  usages  or  rules,  in  respect  to  our  fellowship  with  other  eccle- 
siastical bodies,  than  those  that  have  long  been  familiar  in  all  owe  ses- 
sions and  Presbyteries ;  and  will  not  attempt  to  define  afresh  in  what 
cases  and  in  what  degree  errors  in  belief  and  practice  shall  exclude 
from  om'  pulpits,  or  suspend  ecclesiastical  communion. 

Mesolved,  3J,  That  our  ministers  and  churches  be,  and  herebj'  are, 
warned  against  all  mmisters  or  other  agents  who  may  come  among  us 
to  sow  the  seeds  of  division  and  strife  in  our  congregations,  or  to  create 
schism  in  our  beloved  Zion.  And,  owdng  to  the  peculiar  reasons  for 
prudence  which  now  exist,  we  enjoin  it  upon  our  ministers  and  sessions 
to  exercise  special  caution  as  to  whom  they  admit  to  their  pulpits :  and, 
in  cases  of  doubt,  to  refer  to  the  judgment  of  the  Presbyteries  the 
whole  question  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  courtesy  and  countenance 
they  may  extend. 

JResolved,  'ith.  That  the  Assembly  would  remind  sessions  that  "in  no 
case  is  it  proper  for  them  to  invite  ministers  of  other  denominations 
statedly  to  occupy  any  of  our  pulpits  without  the  consent  of  the  Pres- 
byteries, and  the  known  pm-pose  of  such  ministers,  at  the  earliest  suit- 
able opportunity,  to  unite  with  us  in  ecclesiastical  relations. 

650.  Reply  to  the  Protestant  I^piscojnd  Bishops  on  (Jhurch  tinity. 

1887,  p.  227.  In  res^Donse  to  the  declaration  and  resolutions  adopted 
by  the  House  of  Bishops  and  House  of  Deputies  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Chui'ch,  convened  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  October  27th,  1886  : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbj^terian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  in  session  at  St.  Louis,  I'ecognizes  with  great  joy  the  catholic 
spirit  which  inspires  the  declaration  concerning  Christian  unity.  It 
sympathizes  fervently  with  every  effort  made  in  accordance  with  the 
Word  of  God  to  promote  godly  union  and  concord  with  all  who  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  It  rejoices  to  consult,  not  only  for 
the  interest  of  the  historic  Chur(?h  which  it  represents,  but  also  for  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  the  whole  body  of  Jesus  Christ  upon  earth. 
But,  as  the  Commission  on  Christian  Unity  does  not  make  its  report 
until  the  General  Convention  of  1889,  the  present  General  Assembly 
contents  itself  with  this  expression  of  Christian  sympathy,  and  postpones 
further  action  until  the  Assembly  of  1888. 

651.  Correspondence  ioith  the  Cionherland  Presbyterian  Church. 

1866,  p.  15.  Kev.  Charles  A.  Davis,  D.  D.,  delegate  from  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  addressed  the 
Assembly,  presenting  the  cordial  salutations  of  that  body,  and  inti- 
mating liis  belief  that  an  extensive  and  growing  desire  for  a  closer  union 
between  the  two  bodies  prevailed. 

The  following  I'esolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  Christian  union,  brought  before  this 
Assembly  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Davis  in  his  address,  be  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foreign  Correspondence,  with  instructions  to  report  a  suit- 
able minute ;  and  that  the  Bev.  Drs.  B.  M.  Palmer  and  J.  M.  P.  Atkin- 
son, and  Ruling  Elder  George  J.  S.  Walker,  be  added  to  the  committee. 


Sec.  651.]  Eel.\ti()ns  of  the  Chi'rch  avith  Other  Bodies.  439 

P.  30.  lu  its  report,  which  was  adopted,  this  committee  say:  "The 
Assembly  has  received  with  the  hveliest  satisfaction,  and  reciprocates 
with  the  utmost  cordiahty,  the  Christian  greetings  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Cumberland  Presbj'^terian  Church,  through  its  represen- 
tative, Rev.  C.  A.  Davis,  D.  D.  If  notliing  more  were  gained  by  this 
fraternal  correspondence  than  the  expression  before  the  world  of  the 
spiritual  unity  and  fellowship  of  the  Lord's  people,  amidst  seeming  di- 
versity and  separation,  the  Assembly  would,  for  this  reason  alone,  desire 
its  continuance.  But  especially  is  this  interchange  to  be  perpetuated 
in  the  hope  that  it  may  tend,  at  no  distant  da^^,  to  a  closer  union.  This 
corresponding  delegate  has  unofficially  expressed  his  conviction  that 
many,  in  their  respective  commimions,  are  ready  for  this  consumma- 
tion. And  this  declaration  is  made  in  face  of  the  fact  that  no  overtures 
for  such  union  have  as  yet  originated  in  the  Assembly  of  the  Cimaber- 
land  Presbyterian  Church."     (Condensed.) 

"  .  .  .  To  our  brethren  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
we  would  respectfully  suggest  whether  the  time  has  not  come  to  con- 
sider the  great  importance  to  the  kingdom  of  our  common  Master  of 
theii'  union  with  us,  by  their  ad(jption  of  the  time-honored  standards  to 
which  we  adhere." 

P.  31.  Mesolved,  That  a  committee  of  live  be  appointed  by  this  As- 
sembly to  confer  with  any  similar  committee  on  the  part  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Assembly,  to  ascertain  how  far  the  way  is  pre- 
pared for  an  organic  union  between  the  two  bodies  upon  the  basis  of 
the  Westminster  standards. 

P.  33.  Committee:  Rev.  J.  O.  Stedman,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  D.  Wither- 
spoon.  Rev.  J.  N.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  Rev.  John  H. 
Gray,  D.  D.,  to  which  the  name  of  the  moderator,  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Kerr, 
D.  D.,  was  added  by  a  vote  of  the  Assembly. 

1867,  p.  133.  This  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  referred  to 
a  special  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  J.  R. 
Wilson,  I).  D.,  R.  Hett  Chapman,  D.  D.,  E.  H.  Cumpston,  C.  Ready,  J. 
Hemphill,  and  G.  W.  Lee.  The  Rev.  J.  A.  L^^on,  D.  D.,  a  member  of 
the  Committee  of  Conference,  haA-ing  been  prevented  from  meeting 
with  it  at  the  time  appointed,  addressed  a  letter  to  it,  which  was  now 
read  to  the  Assembly,  and  referred  to  the  special  committee  just  named. 

P.  135.  This  special  committee  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  unanimously  adopted : 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  report  of  the  Committee 
of  Conference  with  the  Cumberland  Presbj-terian  Church,  report,  for 
adoption  by  the  Assembly,  the  following  minute : 

The  Assembly  herel)y  records  its  devout  acknowledgment  to  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church  for  the  manifest  tokens  of  his  presence  with  the 
Committees  of  Conference  during  their  deliberations,  as  evinced  by  the 
spirit  of  Claistian  candor,  forbearance  and  love  displayed  by  both  par- 
ties in  their  entire  proceedings. 

The  Assembly  regards  the  object  for  which  that  committee  was  ap- 
pointed as  one  fully  worthy  of  the  earnest  endeavors  and  continued 
prayers  of  God's  people  in  both  branches  of  the  Church  represented  in 
the  committee;  but  at  the  same  time  it  is  compelled,  in  view  of  the 
terms  for  effecting  any  organic  union,  suggested  by  the  committee  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  to  declare  that,  regarding  the 
present  jieriod  as  one  very   unfavorable  for  making  changes  in  oui* 


440  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

standards  of  faith  and  practice,  it  is  raore  especially  so  for  effecting 
changes  so  materially  raodifying  the  system  of  doctrine  which  has  for 
centuries  been  the  distinguishing  peculiarity  and  the  eminent  glory  of 
the  Presbyterian  churches,  both  of  Europe  and  the  United  States. 

Mesolved,  That  the  entire  documents  submitted  to  the  Assembly  by 
the  committee  be  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  the  As- 
sembly. 

The  report  of  this  coufereuce  is  on  page  172  of  the  Minutes  for  1867.  The  com- 
mittee of  the  Ciiniberland  Church  consisted  of  Kev.  S.  (t.  Burney,  D.  D.,  chairman; 
Eev.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.  D.,  Eev.  J.  W.  Poindexter,  Eev.  K.  Bmrow,  D.  I).,  Rev.  M. 
Bird,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  LeRoy  Woods.  A  joint  session  of  the  committees  was  held 
in  Memphis  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  Aiignst,  1867,  at  which  all  were  present  save  Dr. 
Lyon,  of  the  Presbyterian  committee,  and  Messrs.  Bird,  Bi^rrow,  and  Woods,  of 
the  Cumberland  committee.  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonald,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Cumberland, 
being  present,  was  invited  to  participate  in  the  deliberations  of  the  committee. 

After  consultation,  each  committee  submitted  a  statement  of  the  conditions  upon 
which  they  believe  an  organic  union  may  be  effected  between  the  two  churches. 
The  Presbyterian  committee  presented  the  following  basis: 

1.  It  is  known  to  the  brethren  of  both  churches  that  the  original  separation  be- 
tween the  two  bodies  took  place  in  a  time  of  great  religious  awakening,  and  conse- 
quently of  great  mental  excitement.  In  such  a  time  there  is  a  natiiral  tendency  in 
the  minds  of  men  to  extremes,  and  even  the  best  men  do  not  act  with  the  same 
sober  judgment,  and  the  same  jirayerful  deliberation,  as  when  under  less  exciting 
influences.  The  issue  was  made  with  us  by  the  fathers  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  ujion  the  grounds,  as  the  records  of  both  churches  show :  1,  That 
in  our  doctrinal  standards,  ' '  The  idea  of  fatality  is  taught  under  the  high  and  mys- 
terioiis  name  of  election  and  probation  " ;  and,  2,  That  the  discipline  of  the  Church 
is  too  rigid  in  requiring,  in  every  case,  a  definite  amount  of  literary  education  as  a 
prerequisite  to  ministerial  ordination.  The  committee  are  of  ojjinion  that  upon  the 
last  of  these  points  there  is  no  dift'erence  between  us ;  that  whatever  may  have  been 
the  views  and  the  policy  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  that  early  day, 
and  under  the  exigencies  of  the  times,  the  sentiment  of  the  Church  is  now  unani- 
mous as  to  the  necessity  of  an  educated  ministry,  in  the  sense  in  which  our  stand- 
ards make  it  obligatory.  lijion  the  iirst  point  the  committee  think  that,  while  there 
are  probably  some  phrases  in  our  doctrinal  symbols  which  are  liable  to  misconstruc- 
tion, and  which,  in  the  exciting  times  to  which  we  refer,  were  misconstrued,  and 
thought  to  teach  the  idea  of  fatalism ;  yet,  now  that  the  excitement  has  all  passed 
away,  and  time  has  been  given  for  calm  and  dispassionate  investigation,  our  breth- 
ren of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  t!hurch  have  been  brought  to  see  that  it  was 
not  the  design  of  our  Confession  to  teach  the  doctrine  of  fatalism ;  that  the  lan- 
guage of  even  the  disputed  passages  does  not,  when  fairly  interpreted,  contain  it, 
and  that  in  many  other  passages  both  the  free  agency  of  the  creature  and  the  con- 
tingency of  second  causes  are  distinctly  asserted;  so  that  ui)on  this  point  there  re- 
mains no  reason  why  a  luiion  between  us  should  not  be  effected. 

2.  Such  being  the  state  of  the  points  originally  at  issue,  and  feeling  that  a  union 
of  the  two  bodies  on  some  harmonious  basis  would  tend  greatly  to  the  promotion  of 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  we  would,  as 
the  representatives  of  the  mother  Church,  from  which  our  brethren  withdrew ,  most 
cordially  invite  them  to  form  a  union  with  us  upon  the  basis  of  the  old  standards,  as 
they  were  held  by  their  fathers  and  ours  previous  to  the  separation,  the  same  lib- 
erty in  the  construction  of  those  standards  to  be  given  as  was  then  allowed,  and  has 
since  been  given  in  the  union  of  the  Old  School  and  the  New  School  bodies  in  the 
South. 

3.  We  jnopose  that  all  ministers  in  regular  standing  in  either  of  the  Churches 
shall  be  enrolled  as  ministers  in  the  united  Church ;  that  all  Presbyteries  entitled  to 
representation  in  either  Assembly  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  representation  in 
the  joint  Assembly,  and  that  to  this  Assembly  shall  be  assigned  the  duty  of  consoli- 
dating and  arranging  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  of  the  united  Church. 

4.  We  propose  that  .all  the  funds  and  all  the  church  property,  the  schools,  col- 
leges, and  the  th(!ologi(;al  seminaries  of  the  two  i^hurcthes,  with  all  their  missionary 
operations,  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General  Assembly,  constituted  as  above, 
and  that  to  this  Assembly  shall  be  referred  all  questions  appertaining  to  the  distri- 
bution and  conduct  of  the  same.  J.   O.   Stedjian,  C/iairinnv. 


Sec.  651.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  441 

Basis  Peoposed  by  the  Cumbekland  Comshttee. 
In  consideration  of  the  advantages  of  organic  union  between  the  two  churches, 
we,  the  committee  representing  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,   consent  to 
sunender  our  preference  on  the  folloxsing  points  of  difference : 

1.  We  consent  to  surrender  our  name.  In  this  we  simply  consent  to  make  no 
distinctive  history  of  the  future. 

2.  We  consent  to  surrender  our  standards  on  the  subject  of  ministerial  education, 
and  to  adopt  those  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  or  such  standards  as  may  be  mu- 
tually acceptable. 

3.  We  consent  to  accept  the  standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  on  all  ^joints 
of  difference  in  the  Form  of  Government,  Discipline,  and  Directory,  or  such  modi- 
fication of  them  as  mny  be  mutually  acceptable. 

As  a  condition  precedent  to  these  concessions,  we  respectfully  ask  that  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechism  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  shall  be 
adopted,  instead  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechism  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Or,  as  an  alternative  to  the  above,  we  agree  to  adopt  the  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Catechisms  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  modified  substantially  according 
to  the  indications  given  in  a  paper  herewith  submitted. 

Or,  if  it  shall  appear  more  satisfactory  to  our  brethren  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
we  consent  to  a  new  compilation  upon  the  basis  of  the  Westminster  standards, 
which  new  compilation  shall  exclude  all  phraseology  and  modes  of  expression  which 
can  be  plausibly  construed  to  favor  the  idea  of  fatality  or  necessity. 

W^e  also  respectfully  ask  that,  in  the  union  of  the  two  churches,  the  amicable  ad- 
justment of  the  political  and  sectional  issues  touching  slavery  and  rebellion  made 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  May,  1867, 
shall  be  accepted.  S.  G.  Bukney,  Chairmun. 

The  paper  accompanying  the  above,  and  alluded  to,  suggested  live  sections  for 
Chapter  III.  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  on  the  subject  of  God's  Eternal  Decrees, 
to  be  substituted  for  the  statements  of  the  Confession  on  that  topic,  with  two  added 
Scripture  references  for  the  foot  notes.  It  i^rojiosed  the  modification  of  Sec.  IV., 
Chap,  v.,  giving  a  statement  or  form  which  would  be  acceptable;  also  a  like  change 
in  Chap.  VIII.,  Sec.  VIII. ,  the  substitution  of  Chaji.  X.  in  the  Chimberland  Pres- 
byterian Confession  of  Faith,  instead  of  the  tenth  chapter  in  the  Presbyterian  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  and  the  substitution  in  Sec.  II.,  Chap.  XVII.,  for  the  phrase 
"not  upon  their  own  free  will,"  the  phrase  "not  upon  their  own  ability  or 
merit'";  and  that  certain  expressions  in  the  Catechisms  be  so  modified  as  to  make 
them  correspond  with  the  changes  indicated  in  reference  to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

After  examining  this  paper  of  the  Cumberland  committee,  the  Presbyterian  com- 
mittee submitted  the  following : 

After  a  full  and  careful  examination  of  the  paper  presented  by  the  committee  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  we  are  gratified  to  find  that  the  obstacles  to 
organic  union  are  not,  at  the  outset,  of  as  formidable  a  nature  as  we  had  feared  they 
might  be,  and  we  by  no  means  despair  of  the  ultimate  accomplishment  of  a  union 
so  desirable. 

In  reference  to  the  specific  points  contained  in  the  paper  under  consideration, 
we  would  say  that  the  concessions  of  our  brethren  contained  in  the  first  part  of 
their  paper  are  all  that,  in  these  respects,  we  could  desire. 

In  reference  to  the  modifications  proposed  by  our  brethren  in  the  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Catechisms  of  our  Church,  we  would  say  that  there  are  some  of  the 
changes  proposed  which  are  merely  of  a  verbal  nature,  and  which,  we  believe,  we 
are  wan-anted  in  saying  that  our  Church  would  be  Avilling  to  accept;  but  there  are 
other  changes  proposed,  so  fundamental  in  their  character  that  we  would  not  be 
able  to  act  upon  them  without  further  instriictions  from  the  General  Assembly  of 
our  Church.  J.  O.  Stedman,  Chairman. 

To  this  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  committee  made  this  reply :  We  submit  to 
the  joint  committee  our  reply  to  paper  No.  2  of  the  Presbyterian  committee :  We 
are  greatly  gratified  with  the  spirit  of  liberality  shown  in  this  paper.  While  it  as- 
sures lis  that  some  of  the  verbal  modifications  we  suggested  would  be  made,  it  sug- 
gests that  part  of  our  jjaper  asks  for  changes  involving  doctrinal  points  too  imjior- 
tant  to  be  responded  to  without  reference  to  the  General  Assembly.  Therefore,  we 
propose  that  that  committee  refer  these  pa])ers  to  their  General  Assembly,  and  as- 
certain there  how  far  that  body  would  be  willing  to  go  in  the  direction  indicated  in 
these  papers. 

We  take  this  occasion  to  express  our  gratification  with  the  spirit  in  which  these 


442  Digest  of  the  Acts  or  the  General  Assembly.  [Book  VII. 

interviews  have  all  been  conducted,  and  we  now  express  onr  hope  that  the  differ- 
ences existing  between  ihe  two  churches  are  not  sulhcient  to^  keep  iis  long  apart. 

S.  G.  BuKNEY,  Ghairman. 

The  Presbj'terian  committee  then  submitted  their  third  paper,  as  follows :  The 
committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  rejily  to  paper  No.  2  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbjierian  committee,  would  simply  say  that,  in  their  opinion,  they  have  now  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  the  appointment  of  our  General  Assembly  justifies,  and  we  therefore 
recommend  that  we  now  close  our  conference.  We  would  also  unite  in  the  hope  that 
the  result  of  the  joint  conference  will  be  to  bind  us  more  closelj'  in  the  bonds  of 
Chi-istian  fellowshiiJ,  and  ultimatelj'  in  such  a  union  upon  a  common  basis  as  will 
be  for  the  glory  of  God  and  our  united  permanent  interest  and  prosperity. 

J.  O.  Stedman,  Vhairman. 

652.  Correspondence  with  the  Colored  Cumberland  General  Assembly. 

1878,  p.  612.  In  reference  to  a  letter  certifying  the  appointment 
of  Eev.  ej.  N.  Hill  a  corresponding  delegate  from  the  Colored  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  to  this  Assembly,  your  committee  recom- 
mend the  following  answer : 

1.  We  have  no  knowledge  of  any  such  branch  of  the  Church  in  our 
land,  of  their  doctrinal  behef,  or  form  of  government :  and  without  such 
information  we  are  not  prepared  to  receive  the  delegate. 

2.  It  is  the  rule  of  this  body  to  conduct,  hereafter,  its  correspondence 
with  other  branches  of  the  Church  by  letter,  and  not  by  delegates  ;  and 
we  respectfully  invite  those  with  whom  we  have  correspondence  to  do 
the  same,  except  the  Eeformed  Church  of  America,  with  whom  we  have 
special  relations.     Adopted. 

653.  Correspondence  irlth  the  General  Synod  of  tJie  lieformed  Church 

in  America. 

1871,  p.  12.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  to  whom 
was  referred  the  credentials  and  communication  of  the  Bev.  Dr.  John 
A.  Todd,  delegate  to  this  General  Assembly  from  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Eeformed  Church  in  America,  beg  leave  to  submit  for  the  adoption 
of  the  General  Assembly,  in  response  thereto,  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  General  Assembly  has  heard  with  pleasure 
the  able  and  fraternal  addi'ess  of  the  Eev.  Dr.  John  A.  Todd,  delegate 
to  this  body  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Eeformed  Church  in 
America,  and  that  we  extend  to  him  a  cordial  welcome  to  our  esteem 
and  confidence,  and  invite  him  to  a  seat  upon  the  floor  of  this  Assembly. 

2.  That  we  have  been  gratified  to  receive,  and  heartily  reciprocate, 
the  greetings  of  the  venerable  Synod,  as  found  in  its  printed  minutes 
and  commimicated  to  us  by  its  delegate. 

3.  That  we  recognize  in  that  branch  of  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
a  faithfvil  witness  for  that  truth  of  God  which  is  set  forth  alike  in  the 
formulas  of  Heidelberg,  Dordrecht,  and  Westminster :  and  we  there- 
fore cheerfully  respond  to  the  overture  of  the  Synod  for  the  opening  of 
a  fraternal  correspondence,  and  the  cultivation  of  a  mutual  spirit  of 
Christian  symiDathy  and  brotherh'  love. 

4.  That  we  hear  with  pleasirre  of  the  probable  extension  of  the  evan- 
gelical labors  of  the  General  Synod  among  the  desolations  of  the  South- 
ern States,  and  will  be  hajipy  to  extend  to  them  the  nuitual  com'tesies 
of  oiu'  pulpits,  and  commend  them  to  the  fraternal  confidence  of  our 
people. 

5.  That  Eev.  John  H.  Bryson,  principal,  and  Eev.  Samuel  J.  Baird, 
D.  D.,  alternate,  are  hereby  appointed  our  commissioners  to  attend  the 


Sec.  653.]         Eelations  of  the  Chi'Ech  with  Other  Bodiep.  443 

sessions  of  the  General  Synod,  to  be  held  in  the  North  Church  of  Al- 
bany on  the  tirst  Wednesday  of  Jmie,  1871,  at  three  o'clock  i'.  m.,  to 
convey  to  that  body  the  fraternal  salutations  of  this  General  Assembly, 
and  communicate  a  copy  of  these  resolutions.     Adopted. 

1873,  p.  309.  Rev.  Joseph  E.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  delegate  from  the  As- 
sembly to  the  S^-nod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  said  in  the  report  of  his 
attendance:  "  Whilst  I  was  careful  to  say  that  I  carried  with  me  from 
the  Assembly  I  represented  no  authority  to  propose  terms  of  organic 
union,  I  ventured  to  express  the  hope  of  a  clcjser  aUiance  than  now  exists 
between  the  two  bodies,  should  a  benignant  Pro\'idence  open  the  way 
thereto.  The  utterance  of  this  sentiment  produced  a  deeper  impression 
than  I  could  have  foreseen;  and  in  view  of  it,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed (unanimously,  I  believe,)  to  take  into  consideration  the  subject 
thus  suggested,  with  instructions  to  report  to  the  S^aiod  of  1873." 

P.  312.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  presented  a  re- 
port, which  was  adopted  unanimously  by  a  risiug  vote  of  the  Assem- 
bly; whereupon,  in  ^iew  of  this  imanimity,  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson,  upon 
request  of  the  body,  led  it  in  prayer  to  God  for  his  providential  guid- 
ance in  all  things  pertaining  to  this  important  business.  The  report  is 
as  follows: 

Whereas,  in  a  paper  (jfiicially  communicated,  the  last  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  has  notilied  this  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  unanimous  appointment  of  a  committee  to  consider  carefully 
the  desirableness  and  feasibility  of  establishing  closer  relations  with 
oui"  Church; 

Whereas,  The  Assembly  regards  said  notitication  as  indicative  of  a 
desire  on  the  part  of  that  venerable  Synod  to  enter  into  closer  relations 
if  the  way  be  clear;   and 

Whereas,  This  Assembly  on  its  part  cordially  reciprocates  this  feel- 
ing, and  knows  of  no  more  efltective  method  for  ascertaining  whether 
the  two  bodies  are  prepared  ft)r  a  nearer  connection  than  the  method 
of  conference :  therefore. 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  do  now  appoint  a  committee,  to  be 
composed  of  the  following  named  ministers  and  ruling  elders :  Rev. 
B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  William 
Brown,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  Maj.  T.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  WiUiam 
Henry  Smith,  and  Gen.  A.  ]M.  Scales,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  confer 
with  a  similar  committee,  if  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  in  what  manner  such 
more  intimate  relations  may  be  established,  and  what  ought  to  be  the 
natui-e  and  extent  thereof,  and  rep<n-t  the  I'esult  to  the  next  General 
Assembly. 

2.  That  the  stated  clerk  Ije  dire:;;ted  to  forward  a  copy  of  this  paper 
to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  to  meet  in  New  Bruns- 
wick in  June  of  this  present  year. 

1874,  p.  480.  This  committee  submitted  a  rei)ort,  which  was  re- 
ferred to  a  select  committee  of  one  fi-om  each  Synt)d. 

P.  507.  The  report  of  the  committee  concerning  a  plan  of  coopera- 
tion  with  the  Reformed  Church  was  taken  up,  and,  having  been 
amended,  was  adopted  unanimously.     The  report  is  as  follows: 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  and  report  upon  the  i)lan  sub- 
mitted to  the  General  Assembly  by  the  Committees  of  Conference  of  the 
Reformed  Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 


444  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genera.l  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

and  which  provides  for  "  more  intimate  communion  and  co-operation 
between  these  Christian  denominations,"  and  looks  to  the  establishment 
of  "closer  relations"  between  the  two  bodies,  respectfully  report  that 
they  have  discharged  that  pleasing  duty,  and  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  following  minute  as  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  Assembly : 

■  1.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  has  cause  for  solemn  and  devout  gxatitude  to  God 
for  the  numerous  tokens  of  Divine  favor  and  approval  which  have  marked 
this  negotiation  through  all  its  stages,  from  its  first  inception  till  the 
present  hour-,  and  especially  for  the  spirit  of  unity  and  Christian  fel- 
lowship, of  mutual  forbearance,  fraternal  love,  and  confidence,  which 
have  been  vouchsafed  to  the  members  of  the  joint  Committees  of  Con- 
ference, and  which  have  attended  all  their  dehberations  to  a  harmo- 
nious issue  in  the  plan  of  co-operation  which  has  been  submitted  to  the 
two  churches  as  embodying  the  result  of  their  complete  action. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  plan  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby, 
heartily  adopted  entire  (except  as  to  the  number  of  delegates)  by  this 
Assembly,  as  the  basis  of  an  "intimate  co-operative  aUiance,"  such  as 
therein  set  forth — a  union  not  organic,  but  nevertheless  a  imion  real  and 
practicable,  one  which  it  is  believed  will,  under  the  Divine  blessing, 
prove  to  be  comfortable  and  useful  to  the  two  bodies  that  at  length  are 
happily  brought  into  efi"ective  concert,  and  which  it  is  hoped  will  re- 
dound to  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Chm-ch.  And, 
in  accordance  therewith,  the  General  Assembly  will  now  appoint  one 
minister  and  one  elder,  with  alternates,  as  corresponding  members,  to 
meet  said  Reformed  Synod  at  its  next  convention,  in  Poughkeepsie, 
New  York,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  Jvuie,  1874,  should  they  approve 
and  adopt  said  "plan  of  co-operation." 

3.  Resolved,  That,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  plan,  the 
various  c^uestions  touching  the  details  of  co-operation  are  referred  to 
our  Committees  of  Education,  Publication,  Foreign  Missions,  and  Sus- 
tentation,  respectively,  who  shall  report,  as  soon  as  practicable,  to  this 
Committee  of  Conference  hereby  re-appointed,  and  that  the  committee 
shall  consider  and  digest  the  information  so  obtained,  with  a  view  to 
continue  the  conference  to  such  end  as  shall  be  most  to  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  interests  of  both  denominations. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  of  Conference,  on  Avhich  the  above  re- 
port was  based,  is  as  follows : 

The  committee  njipoiuted  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Keformed  Cliureli  in 
America,  and  tlie  committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Cbiirch  in  the  United  States,  to  "consider  carefully  the  matter  of  the  desiralileness 
and  feasibility"  of  establishing  "closer  relations"  between  the  churches  aforesaid, 
met,  accordiufi;  to  previous  arrangement,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  Friday,  the 
27th  day  of  February,  1874.  After  a  careful  and  protracted  consideration  of  the 
■whole  subject  (committed  to  their  charge,  they  were  led  to  a  cordial  and  unanimous 
agreement  in  the  plan  set  forth  in  the  paper  here  reported  and  recommended  for 
adoption,  as  follows : 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churcih  in  America  and  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  in  i^roviding  a  plan  for  more 
intimate  communion  and  co-operation  between  these  Christian  denominations, 
judge  it  to  be  a  suitable  occasion  for  making  the  following  declaration : 

Firnt,  That  the  standards  of  doctrine  in  both  churches  have  always  been  recog- 
nized as  orthodox  expositions,  and  noble  mf)numents  of  the  faith  professed  by  the 
Reformed  ChiU'chcs  to  which  tliey  belong;  that  is  to  say,  for  the  Reformed  Church, 
the  Belgic  Confession,  the  Articles  of  the  Synod  of  Uort,  and  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism ;  and  for  the  Presbvterian  Church,  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Westmin- 


Sec.  653. 1    Kelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.       445 

ster  Assembly,  together  with  the  Larger  iiud  Shorter  Catechisms.  And  in  forming 
closer  relations  with  each  other,  it  is  with  the  solemn  purpose  of  striving  together 
in  strengthening  our  hands  to  uphold  the  doctrines  of  these  venerable  sjTnbols,  and 
maintaining  them  in  the  plain  sense  in  which  they  have  been  received  and  inter- 
preted from  the  tirst. 

Second,  Should  anything  be  found  in  the  proceedings  of  either  of  our  bodies,  in 
times  past,  which  might  be  regarded  as  irnsonsistent  with  the  piinciple  that  the 
Chiirch  of  Jesus  Christ  is  a  sijiritual  kingdom,  and  not  secular  or  iDolitical,  and  that 
ecclesiastical  courts  are  to  handle  and  ccmclude  only  ecclesiastical  matters,  such  ac- 
tion shall  not  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  in  anything  connected  with  the  scheme  of 
co-operation  herein  provided  for. 

Third,  That  the  close  agreement  between  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the  two 
churches,  and  the  general  agreement  of  their  forms  of  government  and  rules  of 
discipline,  together  with  their  steadfast  adherence  to  the  same,  present  a  solid  and 
satisfactory  basis  of  strong  mutual  contidence,  which  coutidence  has  been  much 
confirmed  by  their  recent  iutercotirse  and  experience  of  fraternal  sympathy  and 
kindness. 

Fourth,  That  we  fully  recognize  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  followers  .of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  seek  and  embrace  all  proper  means  of  manifesting  such  degi-ee  of 
Tinity  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel  as  may  exist  among  them ;  and  that  this  unity  may, 
in  our  view,  be  effectually  manifested  Vjy  us  in  the  absence  of  outward  ecclesiasti- 
cal uniformity,  with  which  it  ought  never  to  be  confounded,  and  which  ought  never 
to  be  purchased  at  the  cost  of  triath. 

While  some  considerable  obstacles  are  found,  for  the  present,  to  the  formation 
of  an  organic  union  between  these  denominations,  yet,  cordially  agreeing  in  the 
above  declaration,  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  way  is  oi^ened,  and  hap- 
pily Tinder  the  guidance  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  and  holy  providence,  for  such  inti- 
mate, co-operative  alliance  as  ^\'ill  prove  comfortable  and  useful  on  both  sides. 

The  provisions  of  this  plan  shall  embrace  the  f oUo-^ing  particulars : 

I.  With  a  view  of  exi^ressiug  more  emphatically  the  unity  now  existing,  as  well 
as  promoting  it  still  further,  instead  of  the  former  system  of  delegates,  a  delega- 
tion, consisting  of  two  ministers  and  two  elders,  shall  be  sent  annually  from  the 
General  Synod  to  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  a  similar  delegation 
from  the  General  Assembly  to  the  meeting  of  the  General  Sj'iiod ;  which  delega- 
tions shall  be  expected  to  sit  and  deliberate  throughout  the  sessions  of  these  bodies 
respectively,  endeavoring  especially  to  further  all  those  interests  in  which  the  two 
churches  co-operate. 

II.  A  vacant  congregation  shall  be  at  liberty  to  call  a  minister  from  either  of 
the  churches,  according  to  the  order  established  in  that  church  to  which  he  may 
be  called,  and  he  shall  conform  to  the  order  of  the  church  to  which  he  is  trans- 
ferred. 

III.  When  particular  churches  of  either  body  are  in  locations  much  more  con- 
venient for  a  connection  with  a  Classis  or  Presbytery  belonging  to  the  other,  it  is 
recommended  to  them  to  seek  a  transfer  in  such  a  way  as  shall  be  in  conformity 
with  the  regulations  of  both  denominations;  and  whenever  it  may  be  deemed  ad- 
visable for  students  of  theology  of  either  body  to  pursue  their  studies  in  institu- 
tions of  the  other,  it  will  be  regarded  with  the  hearty  approbation  of  both.  And 
students  who  have  pursued  a  full  course  of  studj'  in  the  theological  seminaries  of 
either  church  shall  be  placed  on  an  equal  footing  before  the  Presbyteries  and  Classes 
of  the  other. 

IV.  It  is  believed  that  a  valuable  co-operation  may  be  secured  in  regard  to  most 
of  those  schemes  of  benevolence  in  which  both  chui'ches  are  engaged.  As  the  ex- 
tent to  which  thLs  may  be  most  judiciously  carried  can  be  ascertained  only  by  care- 
ful conference  and  experiment,  many  of  the  details  must  be  left  for  future  agree- 
ment. The  following  is  adopted  as  indicating  what  may  be  initiated  at  the  present 
time: 

(1,)  In  regard  to  Foreifjn  Mmions:  We  express  the  idea  that  it  will  probably 
most  promote  the  glory  of  God  that  there  should  not  be  separate  denominational 
interests  permanently  established  where  our  missions  are,  or  may  be,  planted  within 
reach  of  each  other,  but  that  the  establishment  of  one  united  church  should  be 
encouraged.  It  deserves  to  be  carefully  considered  whether  in  the  whole  work  of 
Foreign  Missions  a  complete  fusion  be  not  advisable.  It  is  therefore  agreed  that  the 
entire  subject  shall  be  refeired  to  the  board  and  committee  in  the  two  churches 
having  charge  of  these  interests,  with  instructions  to  devise  plans,  if  deemed  prac- 
ticable, in  accordance  with  these  suggestions. 

(2, )  In  regard  to  Domestic  Missio/ui,  especially  in  the  aspect  of  evangelistic  work  : 


446  DH4EST  OF  THE  AcTS  OF    THE  GeNERAL  ASSEMBLY.         [BoOK  VII. 

It  is  judged  expedient  to  refer  this  whole  subject  also  to  the  appropriate  board  and 
committee  of  the  two  churches  for  their  consideration,  as  provided  for  above  in  the 
matter  of  Foreign  Missions.  It  may  be  siiitable,  however,  to  declare  at  this  time 
our  conviction  of  the  great  importance  of  this  work  in  both  churches,  and  especiallj' 
that  form  of  it  which  presents  itself  within  the  bounds  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
behalf  of  a  large  and  needy  colored  population. 

(3,)  In  regard  to  Piiblicatioii  :  It  is  agreed  that  each  committee  or  board  shaU 
furnish  the  other  with  its  publications,  and  the  two  publishing  houses  shall  act  as 
depositories,  each  for  the  other,  as  far  as  practicable.  But  the  details  of  this 
arrangement,  and  the  commercial  terms,  shall  be  left  to  the  board  and  committee 
having  charge  of  these  interests.  This  whole  matter  also  is  referred  hy  the  General 
Synod  and  the  General  Assembly  to  the  appropriate  board  and  committee,  to  con- 
sider whether  the  two  agencies  may  not  be  fused  into  one. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  the  General  Synod  and  the  General  Assembly  shall  con- 
tinue these  negotiations,  so  happily  begiin,  through  a  Committee  of  Conference 
appointed  by  each,  who  shall  be  jointly  instructed  to  receive  by  January  1,  1875, 
the  plans  prepared  by  the  boards  and  committees  herein  before  provided  for,  with 
a  view  to  modify  as  far  as  necessary,  and  harmonize  them  all  in  one  comprehen- 
sive scheme  of  co-oj^erative  union,  which  scheme  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Synod 
and  to  the  Assembly  respectively  at  their  annixal  session  in  1875. 

The  provisions  of  this  agreement,  or  any  parts  thereof,  shall  be  in  force  from 
the  time  of  their  adoption  by  both  the  General  Synod  and  the  General  Assembly. 

In  concluding  their  labors,  the  joint  Committees  of  Conference  desire  to  place 
on  record  their  grateful  recognition  of  the  Divine  favor,  as  evinced  in  the  jjervad- 
ing  power  of  heavenly  love  by  which  all  the  members  present  have  manifested 
throughout  the  utmost  fraternal  confidence,  and  have  conducted  this  conference  to 
a  harmonious  issue. 

1875,  p.  25.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  report,  ap- 
proving the  scheme  of  co-operation  reported  from  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  last  Assembly  to  continvie  the  conference  with  a  similar 
committee  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Ameri- 
ca, as  follows: 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  to  continue  the  con- 
ference with  a  similar  committee  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Chui'ch  in  America,  with  a  view  of  perfecting  a  comprehensive  scheme 
of  co-operation  between  the  two  bodies,  would  respectfully  submit  the 
followmg  plan  as  the  result  of  that  conference. 

B.  M.  Palmek,  Chairman, 

The  Committees  of  Conference  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  and  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  having  been  directed  by  their  respective  bodies  to  "receive 
the  plans  prepared  by  the  boards  and  committees  "  of  the  respective 
churches  "to  modify  as  far  as  necessary,  and  harmonize  them  aU  in 
one  comprehensive  scheme  of  co-operative  union,"  respectfully  report 
that  they  }net  for  that  purpose  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  15th  day 
of  January,  1875,  and,  after  a  series  of  harmonious  joint  sessions,  agreed 
upon  the  following  scheme,  which  was  afterwards  duly  approved  by 
each  committee,  in  its  separate  session,  and  is  accordingly  recom- 
mended by  each  for  adoption  by  its  own  General  Assembly  or  General 
Synod  : 

For  the  purpose  of  perfecting,  as  far  as  ])ossible,  the  scheme  of  co- 
operation which,  in  outline,  was  agreed  upon  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  and  the  General  S>Tiod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  in  the  sessions  of  1874,  it  was 
further  agreed  and  ordered  by  these  two  bodies,  that  actual  co-opera- 
tion in  denominational  work  be  begun  between  them  in  the  following 
particulars : 


Sec.  653.]        Relatk^ns  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  447 

I.   Publication. 

1.  The  publishing-  house  of  each  denomiBation  shall  be  the  agent  and 
depository  for  the  sale  of  the  publications  of  the  other  denomination. 
The  details  of  such  agencdes,  and  the  commercial  terms  upon  which 
they  shall  be  conducted,  shall  be  adjusted  between  the  board  and  the 
committee  having  charge  of  that  department  of  church  work. 

2.  The  same  board  and  committee  are  empowered  to  unite  in  the  pub- 
lication of  a  child's  paper,  upon  which,  when  issued,  they  are  directed 
to  put  the  imprint  of  both  denominations. 

II.   Home  Missions. 

Inasmuch  as  the  work  which  the  Assembly's  Sustentation  Committee 
is  doing  for  the  evangelization  of  the  colored  population  of  the  South 
justly  makes  larger  demands  upon  the  help  of  the  Reformed  Church 
than  any  part  of  the  domestic  missionary  work  of  the  last-named  chiu'ch 
can,  at  this  time,  make  upon  the  help  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  it  is  recommended  that  the  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church  consider  with  great  sympathy  that  department  of  the  Assem- 
bly's home  missionar}-  work,  and  send  their  contributions  to  that  gen- 
eral cause  to  the  treasury  of  the  Assembly's  committee.  A  particular 
account  of  the  receipt  and  use  of  all  sums  thus  contributed  shall  be 
made  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

III.  Foreign  Missions. 

1.  The  principle  announced  in  the  general  plan  adopted  by  the  As- 
sembly and  the  SjTiod  in  1874 — namely,  that  contiguous  foreign  mis- 
sions of  the  two  churches  ought  to  aim  at  "  the  establishment  of  one 
united  church  " — shall  be  carried  into  practice  whenever  such  contiguity 
shall  exist;  and  it  is  accordingly  ordered,  that  where  any  missionai'y 
churches  under  the  care  of  the  board  and  committee  of  the  two  denom- 
inations are  or  shall  be  so  near  to  each  other  as  to  admit  of  practical 
and  profitable  ecclesiastical  relations  of  any  sort,  those  churches  shall, 
for  iill  the  piu'poses  of  such  relations  between  themselves,  treat  each 
other  as  though  they  had  been  planted  and  nurtured  by  one  and  the 
same  denomination.  And  this  agreement  is  made,  not  only  for  the  sake 
of  expressing,  as  it  does,  the  confidence  which  these  two  American  de- 
nominations have  in  each  other,  but  chiefi}'  with  the  view  of  contribut- 
ing to  the  establishment  in  each  missionary  country  of  a  native  church 
that  shall  grow  from  its  own  root. 

2.  "When  the  missions  of  either  church  shall  stand  in  need  of  men, 
who  cannot  be  supplied  from  the  ministry  of  that  chiu'ch,  information 
of  such  need  shall  be  given  by  the  board  or  committee  of  the  one  church 
to  that  of  the  other,  whose  duty  it  shall  thereupon  be  to  discover,  if 
possible,  and  to  recommend  from  among  the  ministers  of  its  own  body, 
a  person  or  persons  suitable  for  such  appointment ;  and  young  men  in 
either  church,  who  contemplate  the  work  of  foreign  missions,  shall, 
upon  recommendation  from  the  board  or  committee  of  their  own 
church,  be  as  eligible  to  appointment  by  that  of  the  other  as  by  their 
own.  The  person  or  persons  so  recommended  and  appointed  shall,  in 
everv'  case,  come  under  the  cai'e  and  direction  of  the  board  or  committee 
from  which  they  shah  receive  appointment ;  but  they  shall  not  be  re- 
quu'ed  to  transfer  their  ecclesiastical  relations  to  any  American  Pres- 


448  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

bytery  or  Classis  of  the  body  into  whose  missionary  service  they  thus 
shall  come. 

3.  It  is  recommended  to  the  professors  in  the  theological  seminaries 
of  the  respective  denominations,  to  the  students,  and  the  Societies  of 
Enquiry,  that  they,  in  every  way,  encourage  an  equal  acquaintance  with 
the  missions  of  the  two  churches,  in  order  that  the  presentation  thus 
made  of  a  variety  of  acceptable  fields  may  give  scope  and  stimvilation 
to  the  missionary  spirit  of  the  theological  students  of  both  denomina- 
tions. 

4.  To  this  end,  and  also  for  the  increase  of  general  sympathy  be- 
tween the  churches  in  regard  to  this  veiy  important  form  of  Christian 
work,  it  is  ordered  that  the  boards  and  committees  of  the  respective 
chui'ches  keep  each  other  informed,  by  interchange  of  publications, 
and,  when  necessary,  by  letter,  of  all  matters  of  special  interest  in  the 
work  of  each,  in  order  that  such  matters  may  receive  due  notice  in  the 
missionary  periodicals  of  both  churches.  And  it  is  further  ordered, 
that  at  least  five  copies  of  the  missionary  j)eriodical  of  either  church  be 
regularly  sent  b}^  its  board  or  committee  to  each  of  the  theological 
seminaries  of  the  other  church. 

5.  It  is  recommended  to  the  members  of  either  denomination,  that 
whenever  they  are  interested  to  contribute  to  the  evangelization  of  any 
country  in  which  missionary  work  is  not  done  by  their  own  church,  but 
by  the  board  or  committee  of  the  co  operating  church,  they  shall  make 
such  board  or  committee  the  channel  of  their  gifts;  which  board  or 
committee  shall  make  report  of  the  receipt  and  use  of  such  gifts,  as  is 
provided  in  the  case  of  Home  Missions. 

IV.  Education. 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  provision  incorporated  into  the 
general  scheme  of  1874,  viz. :  that  students  of  theology  in  either  body 
may  "pursue  their  studies  in  institutions  of  the  other,"  it  is  ordered 
that  the  funds  of  the  Education  Board  or  Committee  of  either  church 
may  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  any  student  who  may  prefer  thus 
to  prosecute  his  studies  in  a  seminary  of  the  other,  provided  that  his 
reason  for  such  preference  be  first  presented  to  his  own  Classis  or  Pres- 
bytery, and  meet  the  approval  of  the  same.  But,  in  applying  for  licen- 
sure or  ordination,  every  student  who  shall  avail  himself  of  the  privi- 
lege of  pursuing  his  studies  in  a  seminary  of  the  co-operating  church 
shall  conform  to  the  rules  of  the  body  from  which  such  hcensure  or  or- 
dination shall  be  sought. 

V.   Interchan(4E  of  Annual  Keports. 

Each  of  the  boards  and  committees  of  the  two  churches  is  directed 
to  prepare  and  forward  to  the  ci^rresponding  board  or  committee  of  the 
co-operating  church  a  compact  abstract  of  its  annual  report,  which  ab- 
stract shall  be  printed  by  the  board  or  committee  receiving  it  in  con- 
nection with  its  own  annual  report. 

Any  provision  of  this  scheme  of  co-operative  union  may  at  any  time 
be  altered  or  extended  by  the  joint  action  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
General  Synod ;  and  any  provision  of  it  may  be  omit+ed  or  abrogated 
by  either  laody  without  impairing  the  validity  of  those  other  provisions 
on  which  they  shall  agree. 


Sec.  654.]        Relations  of  the  Chttrch  with  Other  Bodies.  449 

In  behalf  of  the  committee  of  the  Presb^iierian  Church  in  the  United 
States  :  B.  M.  Palmer,  Chairman. 

Joseph  R.  Wilson,  Secretary. 
In  behalf  of  the  committee  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America : 

H.  D.  Ganse,  Chairnian. 

E.   T.  CoRwiN,  Secretary. 
Adopted  by  the  Assembly. 

654.    Correspondence  with,    the  Presbyterian    Church    in  the    United 
States  of  America  tcith  reference  to  union. 

1870,  p.  501.  The  stated  clerk  annoimced  that  he  had  received, 
through  the  stated  clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presb}i;erian 
Chui'ch  in  the  United  States  of  America,  official  information  of  a  paper 
adopted  by  that  Assembly,  as  found  on  page  934  of  its  printed  Minutes 
for  18G9 ;  which  paper  was  addressed  to  this  body,  and  is  as  foUows : 

"Whereas,  the  last  General  Assembly  acknowledged  the  separate  and 
independent  existence  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Southern 
States,  and  enjoined  uj^on  all  subordinate  courts  so  to  treat  it ;  thus  ac- 
cording to  its  ministers  and  membei's  the  privilege  of  admission  to  our 
body  upon  the  same  terms  which  are  extended  to  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  other  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  coimtry ; 
Therefore, 

liesolved.  That  this  General  Assembly  hereby  conveys  its  Christian 
salutations  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Southern  States,  and  gives  expression  to  its  sentiments  of  Christian 
fraternity  and  fellowship  towards  the  ministers  and  members  of  that 
body.  And  as  we  inherit  and  hold  with  them  the  same  ancient  sym- 
bols of  faith,  the  same  forms  of  government  and  of  worship,  thus  pre- 
senting before  the  world  the  same  sacred  principles  to  which  our  com- 
mon ancestors  witnessed,  and  which  we  have  mamtained  together  in 
the  past,  and  especially  since  we  occupy  adjacent,  and  in  many  places 
common  territoiy,  we  deem  it  due  to  our  one  Lord,  and  to  the  best  in- 
terests of  his  kingdom  on  earth,  to  express  the  desire  that  the  day  may 
not  be  distant  when  we  may  again  be  united  in  one  great  organization 
that  shall  cover  oiu*  whole  land  and  embrace  all  branches  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

liesolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  dii'ected  to  forward  a  copy  of 
these  resolutions  to  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
Southern  States. 

This  w'as  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence 

P.  51(5.  The  stated  clerk  announced  to  the  Assembly  that  he  had 
received  official  information  of  the  appointment  of  a  delegation  to  this 
bod}-  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  PresbA-terian  Chm-ch,  con- 
vened in  Philadelphia,  in  the  following  paper: 

Whereas,  this  General  Assembly  believes  that  the  interests  of  the 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  throughout  our  entire  coimtry  would  be  greatly 
promoted  by  healing  all  unnecessary  divisions ;  and  whereas,  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  desu'es  the  speedy  establishment  of  cordial,  fi-aternal  re- 
lations with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  of  the 
United  States,  commonly  known  as  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church, 
upon  terms  of  mutual  confidence,  respect.  Christian  honor,  and  love ; 
and  whereas,  we  believe  that  the  terms  of  reimion  between  the  two 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  North,  now  so  happily  cou- 
29 


450  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

summated,  present  an  auspicious  opportunity  for  the  adjustment  of 
such  relations  ;  therefore,  be  it — 

Resolved,  1,  That  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and  four  elders  be 
appointed  by  this  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  it 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Assembly  now  in  session  in  the  city  of  Louis- 
\dlle,  in  resj^ect  to  opening  a  friendly  correspondence  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches,  and  that  the  result  of 
such  conference  be  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1871. 

Resolved,  2,  That,  with  a  view  to  the  furtherance  of  the  object  con- 
templated in  the  appointment  of  said  committee,  this  General  Assem- 
bly hereby  reaffirms  the  concurrent  declaration  of  the  two  Assembhes 
which  met  in  the  city  of  New  York  last  year,  viz. :  "  That  no  rule  or 
precedent  which  does  not  stand  approved  by  both  bodies  shall  be  of 
an}^  authority  in  the  re-uuited  body,  except  in  so  far  as  such  rule  or 
precedent  may  affect  the  rights  of  property  founded  thereon." 

Resolved,  3,  That  two  ministers  and  one  elder  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  this  Assembly'  be  designated  as  delegates,  to  convey  to  the 
Assembly  now  in  session  at  Lomsville,  Kentucky,  a  copy  of  these  reso- 
lutions, with  our  Christian  salutations. 

J.  Trumbull  Backus,  Moderator. 

Cyrus  Dickson,  Permanent  Clerk. 

The  stated  clerk  announced  also  that,  in  pursuance  of  the  object  re- 
ferred to  in  this  paper,  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Backus,  D.  D.,  the  Rev.  H.  J. 
VanDyke,  D.  D.,  and  the  Hon.  W.  E.  Dodge,  were  present,  awaiting 
the  pleasure  of  the  Assembly.  These  delegates,  being  introduced  by 
the  moderator,  proceeded  to  addi'ess  the  Assembly  on  the  subject  of 
their  mission.  To  these  addresses  a  suitable  response  was  made  by 
the  moderator. 

The  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  then  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tion, which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  duly  appreciates  the  marked  courtesy 
and  kindness  of  the  General  Assembly  now  sitting  in  Philadelphia,  in 
commissioning  brethren  so  particularly  acceptable  to  us  to  be  the  bearers 
of  its  resolutions  to  this  body ;  that  it  vnll  take  into  careful  considera- 
tion the  proposition  presented  by  them ;  and  that,  in  order  to  proper 
deliberation  and  care  in  so  important  a  matter,  these  resolutions,  to- 
gether with  the  message  and  exposition  of  the  delegation,  be  referred 
to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  with  instruction  to  re- 
port at  the  earhest  possible  time,  recommending  an  answer  to  this 
proposition. 

P.  528.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Coi-respondence  pre- 
sented a  report  on  the  communicaticni  from  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  (Old  School)  of  1809,  and  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  1870,  now  in  session  in  Philadelphia. 

The  Rev  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  proposed  a  paper  as  an  answer  to  the 
communication  from  the  General  Assembly  in  Albany  of  1809. 

After  a  protracted  discussion  of  the  matters  presented  in  these  papers, 
in  committee  of  the  whole,  it  was  resolved  that  the  committee  I'ise  and 
report  progress,  which  motion  was  adopted,  and  the  committee  accord- 
ingly rose. 

The  moderator  then  resumed  the  chair,  and  the  chairman  of  the 
"  Committee  of  the  ^Vhole  "  reported  the  papers  which  had  been  offered. 

P.  528.     The  discussion  of  the  unfinished  business,  \dz. :  the  papers 


Sec.  654.]         Relation's  of  the  Chirch  with  Other  Bodies.  451 

from  the  Committee  ou  Foreign  Correspondence,  was  resumed,  and 
continued  throughout  the  afternoon. 

The  vote  was  taken  on  the  motion  to  amend  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee bv  striking  it  out  and  substituting  therefor  the  minority  report 
offered  by  Mr.  AYallace.     This  motion  was  decided  in  the  negative. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  J.  J.  Bullock  moved  to  strike  out  the  report,  and  sub- 
stitute therefor  a  paper  which  he  presented.  This  motion  was  also  de- 
cided in  the  negative. 

The  motion  offered  by  Mr  Prince  to  strike  out  from  the  report  all 
that  part  providing  for  a  committee  of  conference,  was  also  decided  in 
the  negative.  The  report  of  the  committee  was  then  adopted,  and  is 
as  follows : 

The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  to  whom  were  referred 
the  overture  for  vmion  from  the  Old  School  General  Assembly  North, 
of  18G9,  at  its  sessions  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  also  the  proposi- 
tion from  the  United  Assembly  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church, 
now  sittmg  in  Philadelphia,  conveyed  to  us  by  a  special  delegation,  re- 
spectfully report : 

That  the  former  of  these  documents  is  vii'tually  superseded  by  the 
lattei',  because  the  body  by  whom  it  was  adopted  has  since  been  merged 
into  the  United  Assembly,  from  which  emanates  a  new  and  fresh  pro- 
posal, reflecting  the  views  of  the  larger  constituency.  To  this  proj^o- 
sition,  then,  '•  that  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and  foui'  elders  be  ap- 
pointed by  this  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  their 
Assembly,  in  respect  to  opening  a  friendly  correspondence  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches,"  3-our  committee  recom- 
mend the  following  answer  to  be  returned : 

Whatever  obstructions  may  exist  in  the  way  of  cordial  intercourse 
between  the  two  bodies  above  named  are  entirely  of  a  pubhc  nature, 
and  involve  grave  and  fundamental  piinciples.  The  Southern  Presby- 
terian Chui'ch  can  confidently  appeal  to  all  the  acts  and  declarations  of 
all  theii'  Assemblies,  that  no  attitude  of  aggression  or  hostihty  has 
been,  or  is  ncnv,  assumed  b}'  it  towards  the  Northern  Church.  And 
this  General  Assembh'  distinctly  avows  (as  it  has  always  beUeved  and 
declared)  that  no  grievances  experienced  by  us,  however  real,  w^ould 
justify  us  in  acts  of  aggression  or  a  spirit  of  mahce  or  retahation  against 
any  branch  of  Christ's  ^■isible  kingdom.  We  are  prepared,  therefore, 
in  advance  of  all  discussion,  to  exercise  towards  the  General  Assembly 
North,  and  the  churches  represented  therein,  such  amitj-  as  fidehty  to 
our  principles  could,  under  any  possible  circumstances,  permit.  Under 
this  view  the  api)ointment  of  a  committee  of  conference  might  seem 
wholly  unnecessary ;  but,  in  order  to  exhibit  before  the  Christian  world 
the  spirit  of  conciliation  and  kindness  to  the  last  degree,  this  Assembly 
agrees  to  apj)oint  a  committee  of  conference  to  meet  a  similai'  commit- 
tee already  appointed  by  the  Northern  Assembly,  with  instructions  to 
the  same  that  the  difficulties  which  he  in  the  way  of  cordial  correspon- 
dence between  the  two  bodies  must  be  distinctly  met  and  removed,  and 
which  may  be  comprehensively  stated  in  the  following  particulars : 

1.  Both  the  wings  of  the  now  united  Assembly,  during  their  sepa- 
rate existence  before  the  fusion,  did  fatally  compht-ate  themselves  with 
the  state  in  pohtical  utterances  dehberately  pronounced  year  after 
year,  and  which,  in  our  judgment,  were  a  sad  betrayal  of  the  cause  and 
kingdom  of  our  common  Lord  and  Head.     We  believe  it  to  be  solemnly 


452  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

incumbent  upon  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church,  not  with  reference 
to  us,  but  before  the  Christian  world  and  before  our  Divine  Master  and 
King",  to  pui'ge  itself  of  this  error,  and,  by  public  proclamation  of  the 
truth,  to  place  the  crown  once  more  upon  the  head  of  Jesus  Christ  as 
the  alone  King  in  Zion  ;  in  default  of  which  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  has  already  suffered  much  in  maintaining-  the  indepen- 
dence and  spirituahty  of  the  Redeemers  kingdom  upon  earth,  feels 
constrained  to  bear  public  testimony  against  this  defection  of  our  late 
associates  from  the  truth.  Nor  can  we,  by  official  correspondence  even, 
consent  to  blunt  the  edge  of  this  our  testimony  concerning  the  very 
nature  and  missioii  of  the  Church  as  a  purely  spiritual  body  among 
men. 

2.  The  union  now  consummated  between  the  Old  and  New  School 
Assemblies  North  was  accomplished  by  methods  which,  in  our  judg- 
ment, involve  a  total  surrender  of  all  the  great  testimonies  of  the  Church 
for  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  grace,  at  a  time  when  the  victory  of 
truth  over  error  hung  long  in  the  balance.  The  united  Assembly 
stands  of  necessity  upon  an  aUowed  latitude  of  interi^retation  of  the 
standards,  and  must  come  at  length  to  embrace  nearly  all  shades  of 
doctrinal  belief.  Of  those  falluig  testimonies  we  are  now  the  sole  sur- 
viving heir,  which  we  must  lift  from  the  dust  and  bear  to  the  genera- 
tions after  us.  It  would  be  a  serious  compromise  of  this  sacred  trust 
to  enter  into  public  and  official  fellowship  with  those  repudiating  these 
testimonies,  and  to  do  this  expressly  upon  the  ground,  as  stated  in  the 
preamble  to  the  overtvu'e  before  us,  "  that  the  terms  of  re-union  between 
the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  North,  now  hap- 
pily consummated,  present  an  auspicious  opportunity  for  the  adjustment 
of  such  relations."  To  foimd  a  correspondence  professedly  upon  this 
idea  would  be  to  endorse  that  which  we  thoroughly  disapprove. 

3.  Some  of  the  members  of  our  own  body  were  but  a  short  time  since 
violently  and  unconstitutionally  expelled  from  tHe  communion  of  one 
branch  of  the  now  united  Northern  Assembly,  imder  ecclesiastical 
charges  which,  if  true,  render  them  utterly  infamous  before  the  Church 
and  the  world.  It  is  to  the  last  degree  unsatisfactory  to  construe  this 
offensive  legislation  obsolete  by  the  mere  fusion  of  that  body  with  an- 
other, or  through  the  operation  of  a  faint  declaration  which  was  not  in- 
tended originally  to  cover  this  case.  This  is  no  mere  "rule"  or  "pre- 
cedent," but  a  solemn  sentence  of  outlawry  against  what  is  now  an 
important  and  constituent  part  of  our  own  body.  Every  principle  of 
honor  and  good  faith  compels  us  to  say  that  an  unequivocal  repudiation 
of  that  interpretation  of  the  law  under  which  these  men  were  con- 
demned must  be  a  condition  precedent  to  any  official  correspondence 
on  our  part. 

4.  It  is  well  known  that  similar  injurious  accusations  were  preferred 
against  the  whole  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  with  which  the  ear 
of  the  whole  world  has  been  filled.  Extending,  as  these  charges  do, 
to  heresy  and  blasphemy,  they  cannot  be  quietly  igncn-ed  by  an  indi- 
rection of  any  sort.  If  true,  we  are  not  worthy  of  the  "confidence,  re- 
spect. Christian  honor,  and  love, "  which  are  tendered  to  us  in  this 
overture.  If  untrue,  "Christian  honor  and  love,"  manliness  and  truth, 
require  them  to  be  openly  and  squarely  withdrawn.  So  long  as  they 
remain  upon  record  they  are  an  impassable  barrier  to  official  intercourse. 

Adopted.     Ayes,  83  ;  nays,  17. 


Secs.  654.]       Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  453 

P.  535.  The  following  were  appointed  on  the  committee  contemplated 
in  the  above  action,  to  confer  with  a  committee  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Northern  Assembly,  viz. :  Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Thomas  E. 
Peck,  D.  D.,  Andrew  H.  Kerr,  D.  D.,  WiUiam  Bro^ii,  D.  D.,  Joseph  R. 
Wilson,  D.  D. ;  Ruling  elders — Judge  John  A.  Inglis,  Hon.  W.  P.  Webb, 
A.  G.  Mcllwaine,  8r.,  Esq.,  Col.  Charles  A.  Ready. 

P.  542.  The  following  dissent  was  offered  in  relation  to  the  paper 
fi'om  the  Committee  (Jii  Foreign  Corresjiondence  adopted  on  Friday : 

The  undersigned,  who  voted  in  the  negative  on  the  adoption  of  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  in  reply  to  the 
delegation  from  the  Northern  General  Assembly,  desire,  in  explanation 
of  theu'  vote,  to  say,  that  if  that  part  of  the  report  denominated  "  in- 
structions" to  our  commissioners  had  been  put  in  the  form  of  a  "state- 
ment" or  "declaration  of  principles,"  as  the  grounds  of  difference  be- 
tween us  and  that  Assembly,  rather  than  in  the  apparent  form  of 
charges  against  the  Northern  Church,  which,  under  the  circumstances, 
seemed  to  be  discourteous  to  them,  they  would  have  voted  in  the  affu-m- 
ative.  N.  E.  Goodwin, 

J.  Henry  Smith, 
Wal'I'ek  W.  Pharr. 

The  following  protest  was  off'ered,  and  was,  by  a  vote  of  the  Assem- 
bly, admitted  to  record  without  an  answer : 

We,  the  undersigned,  having  voted  with  the  minority,  respectfully 
protest  against  the  action  taken  by  this  General  Assembly  in  reference 
to  the  overture  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  united  Presbyterian 
Chiu'ch,  now  sitting  in  Philadelphia,  proposing  a  conference  with  a  view 
to  fraternal  coiTespondence,  for  the  following  reasons,  in  part : 

1.  Because  it  was  advocated,  and  appears  to  proceed,  upon  a  miscon- 
struction of  the  actual  proposition  made  by  the  Northern  General  As- 
sembl}'^,  and  seems  to  be  directed  against  a  supposed  latent  intent, 
which,  however,  was  expressh'  disavowed. 

2.  Because  the  instructions  appended  arraign  the  said  Assembly,  as 
now  constituted  on  its  basis  of  union,  upon  the  most  serious  charges,  of 
"the  total  siu'render  of  fundamental  doctrines  of  grace,"  as  weU  as  with 
the  actual  discrowning  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  which,  even  if  we  be- 
lieve them  to  be  true,  it  is  at  least  indecorous  to  prefer  while  in  the  act 
of  accepting  its  proposition  for  fraternal  conference. 

3.  Because  it  wears  an  aspect  of  inconsistency  on  t)ui'  part,  in  that," 
while  we  accept  their  proposal  for  conference,  we  require  conditions 
manifestly  offensive  and  out  of  place  in  a  simple  conference,  as  asked 
by  them. 

4.  Because  it  places  this  Assembly  and  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church — we  do  not  say  intentionally  or  consciously,  yet,  in  spite  of  all 
explanations,  places  us — not  only  in  face  of  our  Northern  brethren,  but 
before  the  world,  in  an  attitude  palpably,  and  to  many  of  us  painfully, 
variant  from  the  placable  and  charitable  spirit  of  the  gospel  of  peace 
and  good-wiU.  H.  L.  Singleton, 

James  L.  Witherspoon, 
W.  C.  Kerr, 
T.  H.  Rice. 

1  coincide  in  the  above  protest,  excepting  the  fourth  article. 

P.  Joyes. 


454  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

655.  Pastoral  Letter  to  the  churches  under  our  care,  explanatory  of  the 

above  action. 

1870,  p.  537.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Correspondence,  presented  a  pastoral  letter  to  the  churches  under  our 
care,  which  was  adopted.     This  letter  is  as  follows : 

Beloved  Brethren  :  It  is  alike  the  privilege  aud  dutj'  of  all  the  courts  of  the 
church,  aud  especially  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  looking  forth  upon  the  whole 
field  from  the  point  of  highest  elevation,  occasionally  to  address  the  churches  un- 
der its  care  upon  topics  which  vitally  affect  the  interests  of  the  entire  body.  In  the 
discharge  of  this  episcopal  function,  this  General  Assemblj'  now  addresses  you  vipon 
a  matter  of  fundamental  importance,  which  has  supremely'  engaged  its  own  atten- 
tion during  its  present  sessions  in  the  city  of  Louisville. 

You  have  been  aware  for  a  twelvemonth  past  of  an  overture  xrom  the  Old  School 
Assembly  North,  adojDted  at  its  sessions  in  1869,  tendering  salutations  to  us,  and  ex- 
pressing the  desire  of  our  union  with  them  at  no  distant  day.  This  overture  was 
virtually  superseded  by  the  fusion  which  subsequently  took  place  between  the  two 
great  Tresbyterian  branches  North  into  one  organization.  This  united  body,  sitting 
contemporaneously  with  ourselves,  in  Philadelphia,  has  passed  a  resolution  apj^oint- 
ing  a  committee  of  conference  to  act  with  a  similar  committee  which  they  invite  us 
to  appoint,  who  shall  jointly  discuss  the  ditficulties  existing  between  the  two  bodies 
and  prepare  the  way  for  a  permanent  and  fraternal  correspondence.  This  proposi- 
tion was  conveyed  to  us  by  a  special  delegation,  consisting  of  Rev.  Drs.  J.  C.  Backus 
and  H.  J.  Van  Dyke  and  the  Hon.  W.  E.  Dodge,  gentlemen  of  the  highest  char- 
acter aud  personally  most  acceptable  to  i\s,  who  discharged  their  delicate  mission 
in  a  si^irit  and  manner  which  made  the  most  pleasant  imjDression  of  their  courtesy 
as  well  as  ability. 

In  response  to  this  proposition,  this  General  Assembly  has  agreed,  in  the  spiiit 
of  conciliation  and  Christian  kindness,  to  ajji^oint  the  committee  of  conference 
which  was  desired,  and  then,  in  the  form  of  instructions  io  the  same,  has  laid 
down  the  principles  which  should  control  the  whole  matter,  and  upon  which  alone 
any  correspondence  on  our  part  would  be  possible.  It  may,  perhaps,  appear  to 
you,  and  it  will  doubtless  be  so  reiDresented  hy  others  that  a  proposition  so  simple 
as  that  of  conference  for  the  adjustment  of  difficulties  might  have  been  left  unem- 
barrassed by  any  antecedent  enunciation  of  what  the  Assembly  regards  as  the  ob- 
striictions  to  fraternal  and  olficial  correspondence.  It  is  precisely  this  which  we 
desire  you  to  understand,  as  well  as  the  reasons  which  impelled  us  to  the  course  we 
have  piirsued.  The  reflective  and  thoiightful  amongst  you  will  at  once  recognize 
that  in  diplomatic  intercourse  the  first  step  is  always  the  most  important.  It  is  this 
that  determines  all  the  fiiture  aud  dejDendent  negotiations;  and,  however  unobtru- 
sive the  initiatory  measure  may  appear  to  be,  it  is  often  pregnant  with  concealed 
results  of  vast  magnitude.  This  is  pre-eminently  true  in  the  case  before  us.  It 
was  incumbent  upon  us  to  watch  narrowly,  lest,  in  the  very  opening  of  negotiations, 
we  might  incautioiisly  surrender  the  principles  we  hold,  which,  slipping  from  our 
grasp,  we  might  never  be  able  to  recover. 

The  overtTire  from  the  Northern  Assembly  was  based  upon  the  fatal  assumption 
that  mutual  grievances  existed,  in  reference  to  which  it  became  necessary  to  arbi- 
trate. This  assumption  is  precisely  what  we  cannot  truthfully  concede.  Our  re- 
cords may  be  searched  in  vain  for  a  single  act  of  aggression,  or  a  single  unfriendly 
declaration  against  the  Northern  Church.  We  have  assumed  no  attitude  of  hostility 
towards  it.  In  not  a  single  case  has  there  been  an  attempt  to  wrest  from  them 
their  churc'h  property.  In  not  a  single  case  has  there  been  hesitation  in  receiving 
their  members  into  our  communion,  upon  the  face  of  their  credentials,  amongst 
the  hundreds  ^^llo  have  come  to  make  their  homes  with  us  since  the  war.  In  not 
one  instance  has  there  been  exhibited  a  sjiirit  of  retaliation  in  regard  to  any  of 
those  very  measures  instituted  against  ourselves,  by  the  Asseml)ly  of  18fi.5  and  by 
subsetpient  Assemblies. 

Whatever  obstructions  may  be  in  the  way  of  ecclesiastical  fellowship  were  not 
created  by  us,  aud  we  could  not  allow  ourselves  to  be  placed  in  the  false  position, 
before  the  world,  of  parties  who  had  been  guilty  of  wrong  to  the  Northern  Church. 
Having  placed  nothing  in  the  way  of  Christian  fraternity,  there  was  nothing  for  us 
to  remove.  Whilst,  therefore,  in  Christian  courtesy,  we  were  willing  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  conference,  it  was  necessary  to  guard  against  all  misconstruction  and 
misrepresentation  by  instructing  our  coramissicmers  to  remember  this  im-i,  and  re- 


Sec.  655.  J        Kelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  455 

stricting  them  to  the  diity  of  siiniDly  reporting  and  exiJoimdiug  what  we  considered 
indispensable  to  an  honest  correspondence,  which  should  not,  by  its  insincerity  and 
hoUowness,  be  an  offense  to  onr  Divine  Master. 

Inasmuch  as  we  had  never  been  aggressors  against  the  peace,  security,  and  pros- 
perity of  the  Northern  Church,  and  had  not  undertaken  to  approach  them  with 
proposals  of  any  sort,  Christian  candor  required  us,  as  the  jiarty  approached,  to 
state  exactly  the  difficulties  which  did  embarrass  this  question  of  correspondence. 
Without  going  into  much  detail  or  multiplying  the  specifications,  these  were 
summed  up  under  four  heads,  the  significance  and  importance  of  which  we  would 
have  you  to  appreciate. 

It  must  be  remembered,  then,  that  in  1861  the  organization  of  the  Southern 
Church  was  compelled,  by  what  are  known  as  the  "Sjiring  resolutions,"  which  com- 
mitted the  Old  School  Assembly,  with  which  we  were  at  that  time  connected,  to  a 
particular  political  theory,  and  complicated  the  Church  at  once  with  the  state.  The 
necessary  effect  of  this  political  legislation  by  the  Assembly  in  1861  was  to  force 
the  entire  Southern  constituency  out  of  that  connexion,  who  were  compelled,  in 
their  disorganized  condition,  at  once  to  integrate  in  the  Southern  Assembly,  which 
was  soon  afterwards  formed.  The  earliest  deliverance  of  this,  our  own  body,  was 
the  assertion  of  the  non-secular  and  non-political  character  of  the  Church,  as  the 
kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  spiritual  in  its  nature  and  mission,  and  entirely  separate 
from  and  indei)eudent  of  the  state.  And  in  subsequent  deliverances — as  those  of 
the  Assembly  of  1865,  at  Macon,  and  the  two  utterances  of  the  Assembly  of  1866, 
at  Memi)his.  and  the  formal  acceptanc-e  of  the  statement  of  doctrines  and  principles 
of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  on  this  subject  by  the  Assembly  of  1867,  at  Nashville — 
the  supreme  couit  of  the  Southern  Church  has,  with  singular  steadfastness,  testified 
for  the  same  great  truth.  Upon  this  very  issue  we  bec^ame  an  organized  church,  as 
distinct  from  that  t)ut  of  whose  bosom  we  had  been  thrust  by  the  assertion  and 
operation  of  the  contrary  and  Erastian  doctrine  that  the  Church  might  rightfully 
intermingle  her  jurisdiction  with  that  of  the  commonwealth.  Through  several  con- 
secutive years  both  branches  of  the  now  united  Assemblies  persisted  in  the  utter- 
ance of  political  dogmas  which,  whether  true  or  false,  they  were  inhibited  by  the 
Word  of  (xod,  and  by  their  own  statute  law,  from  pronouncing  in  their  ecclesiasti- 
cal chambers.  These  nnlawful  utterances  remain  imcancelled  upon  the  records  of 
both  the  courts  now  amalgamated  into  one.  No  disavow.al  of  them  has  been  made, 
as  of  words  inconsiderately  uttered  in  times  of  high  excitement.  No  counter 
declaration  has  been  filed,  gathering  up  the  sacred  truth  (jf  (xod  in  a  new  proclama- 
tion of  the  spirituality  and  independence  of  that  kingdom  which  is  not  of  this 
world.  The  attemi)t,  we  are  aware,  has  been  made  to  relieve  the  i^ressure  of  these 
melancholy  facts  by  faintly  retorting  the  accusation  against  our  own  body.  But  we 
challenge  the  W(jrld  to  place  the  two  records  side  hx  side  in  the  severity  of  ct)utrast. 
No  ingenuity  of  soi)histry  can  transmute  into  political  dogmas  the  scant  allusions  to 
the  hitorical  reality  of  a  great  struggle  then  pending,  or  the  thankfvil  recognition, 
in  the  middle  of  a  paragraph,  of  the  unanimity  with  which  an  invaded  people  rose 
to  the  defence  of  their  hearthstones  and  the  graves  of  their  dead;  or  the  pastoral 
counsels  addressed  to  the  members  and  youth  of  our  own  churches,  passing  through 
the  temptatiims  and  perils  of  the  camp  and  the  field;  or  the  half -hour  sj^ent  in 
prayer  for  a  land  bleeding  under  the  iron  heel  of  war;  or  even  the  incidental  decla- 
ration in  a  narrative,  to  stand  by  an  institution  of  the  country,  a  traditional  inheri- 
tance from  our  fathers.  Even  though,  from  the  amlnguity  of  human  language, 
these  chance  references  may  not  have  been  always  discreetly  expressed,  the  most 
that  a  just  criticism  could  pronounce  is,  that  they  are  inconsistent  ^^"ith  the  judici- 
ally pronounced  principle  upon  which  the  Southern  Assembly  entered  upon  its 
trouV>led  career.  And  when  exaggerated  to  their  largest  proportitms  by  all  the 
prejiadice  of  bitter  partisanship,  they  dwindle  into  motes  and  specks  by  the  side  of 
those  elaborate  and  colossal  delivcranc-es,  repeated  each  year  through  formal  com- 
mittees, and  exalted  into  solemn  testimonies  co-<ndiuate  with  the  doctrines  of  reli- 
gion and  of  faith,  which  disfigure  the  legislation  of  both  the  Northern  Assemblies 
through  successive  years. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  in  the  providence  of  God  the  Southern  Church  has  been 
made  the  special  witness  for  the  crown  and  kingdom  of  our  Lord,  when  both  were 
practically  disowned ;  and  that  ujjon  this  very  issue  she  was  separated  from  her  old 
associations.  Brought  now,  through  their  overture,  for  the  first  time,  face  to  face 
with  this  Northern  Church,  this  mighty  principle  emerges  at  once  into  view.  We 
were  cast  forth  nine  years  ago  for  this  testimony  to  one  of  the  grand  ideas  of  the 
gospel.     We  must  go  back  with  it  still  upon  our  lips,  and  ask  those  who  desire  offi- 


456  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

cial  relations  ^vith  us,  Do  we  form  these  reliitions  -sxitli  a  spiritual  or  vdth  a  political 
churcli?  We  cannot  do  otherwise  without  recanting  our  own  words,  and  endorsing 
the  very  error  which  drove  us  into  ecclesiastical  exile.  We  declare,  therefore,  that 
we  can  hold  no  official  correspondence  with  the  Northern  Church,  unless  the  Saviour 
is  reinstated  in  the  full  acknowledgment  of  his  kingship  in  his  own  Church.  Called 
to  this  testimony,  for  which  we  have  alreadj'  suffered  the  spoiling  of  oiir  goods,  we 
cannot  lay  it  dowTi  at  the  very  moment  when  that  testimony  becomes  the  most  sig- 
nificant. 

Again :  The  overture  before  us  professedly  founds  upon  the  happy  union  just  ac- 
complished between  the  Old  and  New  Schools  North.  This  is  singtilarly  unfor- 
tunate ;  for,  m  our  jiidgmeut,  the  negotiations  through  which  this  union  was  con- 
summated betrayed  those  sacred  testimonies  of  a  former  generation  for  the  most 
precious  and  vital  of  the  doctrines  of  grace.  Our  difficulty  is  not  the  mere  fiision 
of  these  two  Assemblies  into  one.  A  similar  fusion  took  place  six  years  ago  between 
OTirselves  and  the  United  Synod  of  the  So\\th.  But  the  difference  between  the  two 
cases  is  wide  as  the  poles.  The  Synod  of  the  South  iinited  with  us  upon  the  first 
interchange  of  doctrinal  views,  ujjon  a  square  accejatance  of  the  standards,  without 
any  metaphysical  hair-splitting  to  find  a  sense  in  which  to  receive  them,  and  with- 
out anj'  expiinging  of  whole  chapters  from  the  history  of  the  i^ast,  with  the  sacred 
testimonies  with  which  these  are  filled.  It  is  not,  therefore,  the  amalgamation  of 
these  bodies  at  the  North,  simply  considered,  which  embarrasses  us :  but  it  is  the 
method  by  which  it  was  achieved — the  acceptance  of  the  standards  in  no  compre- 
hensible sense,  by  which  the  iinited  Assembly  becomes  a  sort  of  broad  church,  giv- 
ing shelter  to  every  creed,  lying  between  the  extremes  of  Arminianism  and  Pela- 
gianism  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  Antinomianism  and  Fatalism  upon  the  other.  If 
correspondence  with  such  a  body  could  be  allowed  at  all,  it  cannot  be  based  upon 
a  preamble  which  coustnictively  endorses  a  recession  from  the  safe  landmarks 
which  is  to  all  lovers  of  sound  Christian] tj'  the  occasion  of  grief.  We  have  been 
constrained,  therefore,  to  fence  our  commissioners  with  a  caution  not  to  commit  us 
in  any  degree  to  that  diplomacy  bj'  which  the  union  was  accomplished,  and  so  to 
rob  us  of  our  birthright  in  those  testimonies,  which  is  all  that  we  brought  out  with 
us  from  that  gr-and  old  historic  Churi.h  of  the  past. 

Again :  We  require  as  an  indisjjensable  condition  to  all  correspondence,  a  renun- 
ciation of  that  theory  of  church  government  which  practically  obliterates  the  lower 
courts  and  destroys  the  appellate  character  of  the  General  Assembly,  under  which 
that  uurighteous  decision  was  reached  against  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Mis- 
souri. The  former  of  these  tAvo  bodies,  being  now  a  coustitiient  portion  of  this 
Assembly,  has  a  just  claim  upon  us  for  the  protection  of  their  good  name  from  the 
defamation  they  have  experienced  as  witnesses  to  the  principles  which  are  common 
to  us  and  them.  Not  only  does  good  faith  require  us  to  keep  covenant  with  those 
who  have  entered  into  union  with  us,  but  they  are  we,  and  we  are  they,  bound  to- 
gether as  witnesses  in  a  common  testimony.  Fidelity  to  this  testimony  demands 
that  those  who  have  been  martyrs  to  our  c(.>mmon  faith  shall  be  reinstated  in  their 
good  name  before  we  can  fraternally  embrace  those  by  whom  they  are  maligned. 
Upon  the  principle  that  the  interpretation  of  the  law  is  the  law,  it  is  a  simple  re- 
cpiisition  that  this  interpretation  be  disallowed,  under  which  true  and  faithful  men 
were  unconstitutionally  condemned. 

The  fourth  and  last  condition  of  this  correspondence  was  the  unequivocal  re- 
traction of  tlie  imputations  against  ourselves,  industriously  circulated  throiighout 
Christendom.  This  we  would  have  clearly  discriminated  from  personal  resentment, 
or  an  unforgiving  spirit.  It  is  compelled  by  a  proper  sense  of  self-respect,  and  a 
due  regard  to  the  honor  of  oiir  own  ( 'hurch.  It  is  the  homage  which  we  are  con- 
strained to  pay  to  truth  and  history.  We  cannot  acc^ept,  even  by  implication,  the 
charges  with  which  the  records  of  both  wings  of  the  united  Assembly  are  filled. 
Extending,  as  they  do,  to  heresy  and  blasphemy,  they  are  of  the  nature  of  judicial 
accusations,  which  must  either  be  sustained  or  withdrawn.  The  "respect,  and 
honor,  and  Christian  love, "  with  which  we  are  apj^roached  in  this  overture,  are  cer- 
tainly inconsistent  with  the  belief  of  these  grave  impi;tations.  If  not  believed  to 
be  true,  they  should  be  cancelled,  much  more  for  the  sake  of  those  who  have  pro- 
nounced tht^m  than  of  ourselves  who  have  so  long  borne  the  reproach.  However 
this  may  be,  any  form  of  intercourse,  Avhile  they  remain  upon  record,  would  be  a 
tacit  ac(piies(;ence  in  the  same,  and  a  submission  to  the  dishonor  which  has  been 
cast  upon  the  name  of  our  people  and  of  f)ur  C'hurch. 

The  differences  betwixt  us  and  the  Northern  ( 'hurch  are  too  vast  and  solemn  to 
allow  this  (piestion  to  be  determined  by  any  of  the  baser  and  meaner  passions  of 


Sec.  655.]        Eel.\tioxs  of  the  Chirch  with  Other  Bodies.  457 

human  nature.  If  we  know  our  own  hearts,  this  course  is  not  prompted  by  feel- 
ings of  malice  or  revenge,  or  that  peevish  resentment  engendered  by  the  irritation 
of  controversy.  We  trust  that  Christian  magnanimity  would  enable  us  to  rLse  above 
all  private  wrongs  and  jjetty  issues,  transient  as  the  hour  which  gives  them  birth. 
Our  hearts  are  penetrated  with  the  majesty  of  the  principles  which  we  are  called  to 
maintain ;  and  we  desire  that  you  should  feel  yourselves  consecrated  by  the  high 
piirpose  to  assert  them  with  us  before  the  world. 

All  the  great  truths  of  Christianity  have  had  an  historical  outworking  in  the 
midst  of  human  couMict  and  debate,  and  by  this  means  they  become  potential  and 
operative  principles,  wrought  into  the  very  frame  and  texture  of  the  human  soul. 
In  the  first  centuries  of  the  Christian  C!hurch  all  the  great  controversies  revolved 
around  the  relations  of  the  persons  of  the  Godhead,  through  which  the  Church 
wrought  out  what  may  be  technically  called  her  theology.  In  the  age  of  Augustine 
and  his  opposers,  the  field  of  conflict  was  transferred  to  the  nature  of  man  and  the 
condition  to  which  sin  had  reduced  it,  throiigh  which  the  Church  wrought  out  what 
is  scientifically  termed  her  (intliropohfjy.  In  the  great  Keformation,  when  the 
Church  broke  away  from  the  bondage  of  Komish  superstition,  discussion  turned 
upon  the  method  of  grace,  and  the  gosjiel  as  apian,  of  salvation  was  wrought  into 
the  life  and  consciousness  of  the  Church.  But  confusion  and  error  still  reigned 
over  the  minds  of  men  with  regard  to  the  true  mission  and  relations  of  the  Church 
in  her  corporate  character  as  the  si^iritual  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer  upon  earth. 
The  historical  development  of  this  is  probably  the  work  and  the  conflict  of  the 
present  age ;  and  the  Protestants  of  our  day  are  to  hold  up  in  the  face  of  derision 
and  of  scorn  the  true  idea  of  the  Church  as  the  kingdom  of  the  redeemed  among 
men.  In  the  adorable  providence  of  God,  our  peeled  and  desolated  Church  is 
pushed  to  the  front  in  this  conflict.  In  the  face  of  those  ancient  churches  which, 
in  Europe,  are  still  entauged  with  state  alliances,  the  very  foremost  of  which  seem 
to  be  slow^  in  grasping  the  grand  conception  which  the  Redeemer's  discipline  has 
been  so  clearly  teaching  them,  and  in  the  face  of  the  Christianity  of  the  Northern 
section  of  our  own  laud,  which,  in  a  temporary  frenzy,  as  we  hope  and  pray,  has 
resiled  from  the  truth  \^e  thought  it  understood — this  suffering  Church  of  oiirs  is 
called  to  testify.  The  pure  white  banner  borne  by  the  Melvilles,  the  Gillespies, 
and  the  Hendersons,  those  noble  witnesses  of  another  age  for  a  pure  spiritual 
Church,  has  fallen  into  our  hands  to  uphold.  Floating  from  our  walls  the  superb 
inscription,  "  Christ's  Crown  and  Covenant,"  rings  out  the  battle-cry  of  that  sacra- 
mental host  which,  by  protest  and  reproach,  by  testimony  and  suffering,  will  j^et 
conquer  the  earth  and  bring  it  in  submission  to  the  Saviour's  feet.  It  is  upon  the 
assertion  of  this  gi'eat  and  germinal  principle,  out  of  which  a  true  icdeMolocjy  is  yet 
to  spring,  this  Assembly  desires  to  place  herself  and  you.  The  royaltj"  of  the 
thought  will  render  you  too  kingly  in  all  your  purposes  and  desires  ever  to  debase 
this  testimony  by  yielding  to  the  lower  resentments  of  an  unsanctified  heart  in  the 
proclamation  of  your  testimony. 

These  are  the  convictions  which  rule  otir  decision  in  relation  to  correspondence 
with  the  Northern  Church.  Their  offense  with  us  is  that  we  would  not  jield  to  the 
mistaken  c^onscience  which  ])ermitted  them  to  bind  the  Church  of  our  Divine  Lord 
to  the  wheels  of  Ca?sar's  chariot.  We  cannot  surrender  this  testimony  for  the  privi- 
lege of  sitting  within  their  halls.  Regarding  them  as  still  parts  of  the  visible  cath- 
olic Church,  notwithstanding  their  defection  on  this  point,  we  place  them  where 
we  place  all  other  denominations  whom  we  recognize,  though  differing  from  us. 
Wishing  them  prosperity  and  peace,  so  far  as  they  labor  tf)  win  souls  to  Christ,  we 
feel  it  a  higher  duty  and  a  grander  privilege  to  testify  for  our  Master's  kingship  in 
his  Church  than  to  enjoy  all  the  ecclesiastical  fellowship  which  is  to  V)e  purchased 
at  the  expense  of  conscience  and  of  truth. 

It  may  seem  to  some  of  you  that  any  hesitancy  on  our  part  to  enter  into  coitcs- 
pondence  with  any  Church  is  out  of  accord  with  the  spirit  of  the  times,  which 
finds  expression  in  formal  protestations  of  amity  and  unity  between  all  evangelical 
Christians.  Rut  a  little  reflecticm  will  make  it  manifest  that  this  want  of  accord  is 
only  ap])arent,  not  real,  so  far  as  relates  to  any  unity  which  is  founded  on  a  com- 
mon rivcrence  for  the  truth  of  Christ.  For  in  every  case  of  separation  between 
brethren  of  the  same  Church  on  account  of  errors  held,  or  supposed  to  be  held,  on 
the  one  side,  and  the  purpose  to  testify  against  the  same  on  the  other,  a  formal  re- 
cognition of  each  other  may  be  incompatible  with  the  very  end  held  in  view  in  the 
separation.  It  may  involve  an  utter  obscuration  of  the  testimonj'  of  the  wtnesses. 
Thus,  it  will  be  remembered,  there  was  no  official  conespondence  between  the  two 
bodies  into  which  our  Church  divided  in  1837-'8,  for  the  space  of  twenty-five  years, 


•458  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

though  each  held  official  correspoudeuce  with  other  bodies  even  less  near  to  them 
in  doctrine  and  order.  Nor.  indeed,  was  such  correspondence  even  jjroposed  until 
it  was  suggested  as  a  preliminary  to  organic  reunion.  The  Christian  instincts  of  both 
bodies  suggested  that  such  correspondence  miist  involve  the  inconsistency,  on  the 
part  of  each,  of  standing  apart  from  the  other,  while  under  not  only  the  same 
articles  of  faith,  but  the  same  constitution — each  bearing  witness  against  the  other 
while  affecting  relations  of  unity. 

In  the  s^Mrit,  therefore,  of  these  counsels,  we  commend  you,  brethren  in  the 
Lord,  to  Him  that  is  able  tf)  keep  you  from  falling,  and  to  comfort  you  with  all  the 
joys  of  His  salvation. 

It  was  ordered  that  live  thousand  copies  of  this  Letter  be  printed  by 
the  Committee  of  Pubhcation  for  gratuitous  distribution. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Committee  of  Pubhcation  be  instructed  to 
pubhsh  in  tract  form  the  pubhc  official  utterances  of  oui*  Assembhes 
in  relation  to  the  spirituality  and  independence  of  the  Church,  includ- 
ing the  Address  of  the  Assembly  of  1861  to  the  Churches  of  Jesus 
Christ  throughout  the  World,  and  the  Pastoral  Letter  now  to  be  issvaed 
from  this  Assembly,  and  such  other  papers  as  the  committee  may  deem 
needful  to  explain  the  references  in  said  letter. 

This  pamphlet  was  isstied  diiring  the  year,  under  the  title,  "'Distinctive  Princi- 
ples of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  ITnited  States. "  Later  a  revised  edition  of 
the  same  was  issued.      (1871,  jj.  64.) — A. 

65G.   Report  of  the  Conference  ConDuittee. 

1871,  p.  10.  The  undersigned  members  of  the  committee  of  nine, 
appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  corresponding  com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Northern  General  Assembly,  would  respect- 
fully report  that,  in  consequence  of  the  dissolution  of  the  committee  of 
the  Northern  Assembly  immediately  afterwards,  this  committee  has 
never  been  convened.  J.  Leiohton  Wilson, 

Joseph  E.  Wilson, 
William  Brown. 

657.  AppoUitmeiit  of  a  committee  of  conference  vnth.  reference  to  fra- 
ternal relations  with  the  Northern  Presbyterian  (Jharch. 

1874,  p.  482.  Overtures  were  presented  from  some  of  the  Presby- 
teries, touching  the  relations  between  this  General  xissembly  and  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church.  A  paper  re- 
lating to  the  same  subject  was  officially  communicated  from  the  stated 
clerk  of  the  Northern  Assembly.  These  papers  were  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  which  it  was  ordered 
should  be  enlarged  by  the  moderator,  so  as  to  contain  two  members 
from  each  Synod. 

P.  491.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkpatrick,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Correspondence,  presented  a  report  on  the  paper  transmitted 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  other  memorials. 

A  minority  report  was  offered  by  Messrs.  James  Fentress,  D.  McNeill 
Turner,  J.  ().  Lindsay,  and  E.  J.  Vann. 

Another  minority  repoi't  was  presented  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Hoyte.  All  of 
which  papers  were  received  and  placed  on  the  docket. 

P.  495.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence 
was  taken  up  on  a  moticm  for  its  adoption,  and,  after  some  discussion- 
a  motion  was  made  for  the  indetinite  postponement  of  the  whole  sub, 


Sec.  657.         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  459 

ject.  On  this  question  the  ayes  and  noes  were  called.  Result:  Ayes, 
23 :  noes,  91. 

P.  497.  The  Rev.  J.  W.  Ho,^i;e  obtained  leave  to  withdi-aw  the 
minority  report  which  he  had  oliered,  and  the  vote  then  recui-ring  on 
the  minority  report  offered  by  Mr.  J.  Fentress  and  others,  it  was  taken 
by  ayes  and  noes,  as  follows :  Ayes,  33  ;  noes,  78.     Lost. 

This  report  of  the  minority  is  as  follows  : 

The  uudersigned,  members  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Con-espondence,  to 
whom  was  referred  a  paper  officially  communicated  to  this  body  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  (commonly 
known  as  the  General  Asseml)ly  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church),  report  that 
they  have  given  it  such  consideration  as  its  importance  demands,  and  they  recom- 
mend the  adoption  of  the  paper  herewith  submitted  as  our  answer  to  the  same. 

The  communication  from  the  Northern  Assembly  is  as  follows;  (Same  as  in  the 
paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly.) 

In  order  to  a  full  i;ndorstandiug  of  the  matter  thus  brought  before  i;s,  and  our 
duty  in  the  i)remises,  it  is  i)roper  to  refer  to  a  previous  occasion,  when  S'll/st'tntialli/ 
the  same  matter  was  brought  under  the  consideration  of  this  Assembly. 

At  their  session  in  ISCill  the  General  .Assembly  of  the  Old  School  Northern  Pres- 
byterian Church  had  transmitted  to  this  .Asseml)ly  a  paper  conveying  their  Christian 
salutatiims,  and  expressing  the  desire  "that  the  day  may  not  be  distant  when  we 
may  be  united  in  one  gi-eat  organization. "  And  the  General  Assembly  rejjresenting 
the  "Old"  and  "New  School,"  after  their  union,  also  had  transmitted  to  this  body, 
at  its  session  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1870.  a  paper,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 
(Same  as  in  the  paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly.) 

Upon  the  presentation  of  this  last  pajier,  delegates  representing  the  said  Northern 
Assembly  were  received,  and  addressed  our  Assembly  upon  the  subject  of  their 
mission.  After  a  suitable  response  by  the  moderator,  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted :     (Same  as  in  paper  adopted  by  the  Assembly. ) 

The  report  of  this  committee  was  made  in  due  time,  and,  after  a  full  delibera- 
tion, was  adopted.  Said  rejjort  is  as  follows:  (See  printed  Minutes  of  1870,  pages 
529,  530.) 

There  was  also  a  pastoral  letter  issued  by  this  Assembly  as  to  this  matter,  at  its 
session  in  1870,  to  the  churches  under  its  care,  which  is  published  in  the  Minutes  of 
that  year. 

When  the  action  of  our  Assembly  was  reported  to  the  Northern  Assembly,  it  im- 
mediately resolved,  "that  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject  be  postponed, 
and  the  committee  discharged."  Whether  the  open,  frank,  and  Christian  state- 
ment of  the  barriers  to  our  official  intercourse  gave  any  gronnd  of  excuse  to  the 
Northern  Assembly  for  declining  a  conference  thus  invited  and  accepted,  is  a  ques- 
tion upon  which  we  are  not  here  called  to  sit  in  judgment.  The  facts  are  before  the 
world. 

liut  the  practical  consideration  noir  is  in  the  fact  that  a  jiroposal  of  substantially 
the  same  imjiort  as  that  received  in  1870  is  before  us,  in  which,  after  "deploring 
the  divisions  that  have  occurred,  and  that  coutiuue,  among  the  Presbyterians, "  and 
expressing  the  hope  that  these  divisions  may  be  healed,  and  that  the  action  taken 
may  lead  to  that  end,  they  suggest  the  appointment  of  another  committee  to  confer 
with  a  like  connnittee  on  their  part,  looking  to  the  healing  of  these  divisions,  and 
the  establishing  of  closer  relations  between  us. 

To  any  proposal  looking  to  the  removal  of  causes  of  alienation  among  churches 
which  alike  hold  tlic  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  to  restoring  fraternal  relations  with 
such  as  love  our  ^Master  and  his  cause,  as  well  as  that  not  less  important  duty  of 
bearing  witness  against  all  defections  from  the  truth,  this  Assembly,  and  the  Church 
it  represents,  is  now.  ami  has  been  at  all  times,  prepared  to  give  a  sincere,  open 
and  hearty  resj)onse.  At  the  time  of  its  organization,  in  ISC.I,  tlie  following  explicit 
declaration  was  made  by  this  .\ssembly  m  au  "Address  to  all  the  Churches  of  Jesus 
Christ  throu;4iout  the  Earth  " :  "  We  desire  to  cultivate  i)eace  and  charily  with  all 
our  fellow-Christians  throughout  the  world.  We  invite  to  ecclesiastical  commuuiou 
all  who  iiiiiintdiii  our  principles  of  faith  and  order." 

Again,  in  1805,  after  the  close  of  the  lati'  war,  we  tind  the  following:  "It  may 
be  proper  at  this  point  to  declare  concerning  other  churches,  in  the  most  ex^plicit 
manner,  that  iu  the  true  idea  of  the  communion  of  saints,  we  would  willingly  hold 
fellowship  with  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  (!hrist  in  sincerity;  and  especially-  do 


460  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VII. 

we  signify  to  all  bodies,  ministers  and  people  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiirch  struggling 
to  maintain  the  true  principles  of  the  same  time-honored  confession,  our  desire  to 
establish  the  most  intimate  relations  with  them  Avliich  may  be  found  mutually  edi- 
fying and  for  the  glory  of  God. " 

If  these  and  similar  declarations  by  ixs  have  been  overlooked  by  our  Northern 
brethren,  they  are  none  the  less  a  clear  and  abiding  avowal  of  the  spirit  of  our 
Church  in  this  regard. 

Our  testimony  also  concerning  the  defection  of  oiir  late  associates  from  the  grave 
and  fundamental  principles  of  our  common  standards,  has  been  none  the  less  earn- 
est and  explicit. 

So  now,  while  the  hearts  of  our  people  yearn  for  cordial  fraternal  relations  v^ith 
all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  yet  having,  in  1870,  distinctly  stated  the  barriers 
to  official  correspondence  between  us,  and  our  brethren  having  failed  to  remove 
them  iinequivocally,  we  are  constrained  by  fidelity  to  truth  to  decline  official  inter- 
course until  the  fundamental  difficulties  set  forth  in  our  declaration  of  1870  are  re- 
moved, or  until  we  shall  be  enabled  to  see  our  error  in  this  regard. 

This  Assembly  accepts  with  great  i^leasure  the  kind  expressions  of  confidence  by 
our  brethren  in  the  soundness  of  doctrine  and  Christian  character  of  the  Church 
represented  by  this  Assembly,  and  expresses  the  confident  hope  that  the  time  may 
soon  come  when  our  brethren  of  the  Northern  Assembly  may  see  their  way  clear  to 
remove  the  barriers  to  our  cordial  fraternal  correspondence. 

James  Fentkess,  J.   O.   Lindsay, 

D.   McNeill  Tuenee,  E.   J.  Vann. 

The  question  being  then  upon  the  report  presented  by  the  committee, 
the  vote  was  taken  by  ayes  and  noes,  and  is  as  follows :  Ayes,  79  ;  noes, 
33.     This  report,  therefore,  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

P.  500.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  beg  leave  to 
report  to  the  General  Assembly  as  follow'S  : 

Three  papers  were  referred  to  the  committee  touching  the  matter  to 
which  the  report  relates,  viz. :  First,  an  official  commimication  to  this 
Assembly  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  which,  as  it  will  be  hereafter  cited  at 
lai'ge  in  this  report,  need  not  be  here  more  particularly  described ;  Se- 
cond, an  overtm-e  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  South  Alabama,  "  on  the  sub- 
ject of  closer  relations  with  the  Northern  Presbyteiian  Church,"  and 
expressing  the  hope  that  our  General  Assembly  \\'ill  establish  such  re- 
lations :  Third,  an  overtiu'e  fi'om  the  Presbytery  of  Chesapeake,  asking 
this  Assembly  to  appoint  "  a  committee  untrammelled  by  instructions 
to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  the  Northern  General  Assembly" 
as  to  "such  measures  as  shall  be  best  adapted  to  promote  friendly  re- 
lations and  fraternal  correspondence."  Both  of  these  overtures  repre- 
sent that  an  "  organic  union  "  between  the  two  bodies  represented  by 
the  two  Assemblies  is  not  contemplated  in  the  request  contained  in 
their  papers. 

The  committee  have  given  to  the  subject  a  most  careful  and  laborious 
consideration,  and  now  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following  answer  to  the  same. 

The  communication  from  the  Northern  General  Asseml)ly  is  in  the 
follo^^'^ng  words  : 

Extract  from  the  Mhnites  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
(Jhiirch.  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  session  at  Baltimore, 
May  21,  1878. 

The  General  Assembly',  deploring  the  divisions  that  have  occurred, 
and  that  continue,  among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  earnestly  desiring  to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  duty  and 
fidelity  to  the  Lord  toward  healing  these  divisions;  and,  furthermore, 


Sec.  657.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  461 

having  good  reason  to  hope  that  the  action  contemplated  in  the  follow- 
ing paper  wUl  promf)te  and  secure  this  happy  result,  do  solemnly  de- 
clare : 

First,  That,  ia  accordance  vdth.  a  resolution  unanimously  adopted 
by  each  of  the  two  bodies  now  constituting  the  re-united  Church,  all 
action  touching  the  brethren  adhering  to  the  body  popularly  known  as 
the  Southern  General  Assembly,  together  with  all  action  touching  the 
brethren  adhering  to  the  body  known  as  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri, has  been,  since  the  re-union,  and  is  now,  null  and  void,  and  there- 
fore of  no  binding  elfect,  and  not  to  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  in  the 
future. 

>Seco7id,  The  Assembly  also  express  confidence  in  the  soimduess  of 
doctrine  and  in  the  Chi'istian  ch;u'acter  of  these  brethren,  and  cannot 
doubt  that  a  more  intimate  communion  would  lead  to  the  speedy  re- 
moval of  the  barriers  that  now  separate  those  of  like  precious  faith  to 
increased  mutual  ali'ection  and  esteem,  and  to  a  practical  manifestation 
of  oneness  in  Christ. 

Third,  AVith  regard  to  the  civil  magistrate,  and  the  relation  of  Church 
and  state,  the  Assembly  deem  it  sutficient  to  call  attention  to  the  follow- 
ing statements  and  principles  found  in  our  standards,  to- wit : 

(1,)  "Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but 
that  which  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affaii's 
which  concern  the  commonwealth,  unless  by  way  of  humble  petition  in 
cases  extraordinaiy,  or  by  way  of  advice,  for  satisfaction  of  conscience, 
if  they  be  thereunto  required  by  the  civil  magistrate."  (Confession  of 
Faith,  Chap.  XXXI.,  Sec.  IV.)  ' 

(2,)  "  That  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  fi'ee 
from  the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men,  which  are  in  an;)i:hing 
contraiy  to  his  Word,  or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship." 
"  That  all  church  power,  whether  exercised  by  the  body  in  general  or, 
in  the  way  of  representation,  by  delegated  authorit}',  is  only  ministerial 
or  declarative.  Tltat  is  to  say,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  only 
rule  of  faith  and  manners  ;  that  no  church  judicatory  ought  to  pretend 
to  make  laws  to  bind  the  conscience  in  vu'tue  of  theii'  own  authority ; 
and  that  all  their  decisions  should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will 
of  God."     (Form  of  Government,  Chap.  I.,  Sees.  I.  and  Yll.) 

Fourth,  For  the  pui'pose  of  caiTjang  out  the  spirit  of  the  foregoing 
resolutions  the  Assembly  will  appoint  two  committees  to  confer  with 
similar  committees,  if  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States,  and  by  the  Old  School  Synod  of 
Missouri,  to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal  relations  with,  these  bodies." 

This  paper  was  adopted  unanimously,  and  the  following  committee 
was  accoriliugly  appointed  to  confer  with  a  lilce  committee  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  South :  Eev.  Samuel  J.  Nicholls,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Henry  J. 
Van  Dyke,  D.  D.,  Kev.  Ebenezer  Erskine,  D.  D.,  Mr.  John  K.  More- 
head,  and  Hon.  Joseph  W.  Edwards. 

A  true  extract.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  S.  C. 

In  order  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  whole  matter,  and  of  our  dutj' 
in  the  premises,  it  may  be  proper  to  refer  to  a  prerious  occasion,  when 
it  was  brought  under  the  consideration  of  the  Southern  General  Assem- 
bly. Four  years  ago,  in  1870,  a  paper  was  received  from  the  Northern 
General  Assembly,  of  wliich  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"  Whereas  this  General  Assembh'  believes  that  the  interests  c)f  the 


462  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII, 

kingdom  of  our  Lord  throughout  oiu'  entire  country  will  be  gi'eatly  pro- 
moted by  healing  all  unnecessary  divisions ; 

"  Whereas  this  General  Assembly'  desires  the  speedy  establishment 
of  cordial  relations  with  the  body  kno^vn  as  the  '  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church/  on  terms  of  mutual  confidence,  respect,  Christian  honor,  and 
love : 

"  Whereas  we  believe  that  the  terms  of  re-union  between  the  two 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  North,  now  so  happily  con- 
summated, present  an  auspicious  opportunity  for  the  adjustment  of 
such  relations ;  therefore,  be  it — 

"Resolved,  1,  That  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and  fom*  elders  be  ap- 
pointed by  this  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  it  should 
be  appointed  by  the  Assembly  now  in  session  in  the  city  of  Louisville, 
Ky.,  in  respect  to  opening  a  friendly  correspondence  between  the  North- 
ern and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches,  and  that  the  result  of  such 
conference  be  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1871. 

"  Resolved,  2,  That,  with  a  view  to  the  furtherance  of  the  object 
contemplated  in  the  appointment  of  said  committee,  this  Assembly 
hereby  reaffirms  the  '  Concurrent  Declaration '  of  the  two  Assemblies 
which  met  in  the  city  of  New  York  last  year,  viz. : 

"  'That  no  rule  or  precedent  which  does  not  stand  approved  by  both 
bodies  shall  be  of  any  authority  in  the  re-united  body,  except  in  so  far 
as  such  rule  or  precedent  may  affect  the  rights  of  propert}^  therein.' 

"  Resolved,  3,  That  two  ministers  and  one  elder  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  this  Assembly  be  designated  as  delegates  to  conve}'  to  the 
Assembly  now  in  session  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  a  copy  of  these  resolutions, 
with  our  Christian  salutations." 

This  commimication  having  been  presented,  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Backus, 
D.  D.,  Rev.  H.  J.  Van  Dyke,  D.  D.,  and  the  Hon.  W.  E.  Dodge,  delegates 
appointed  and  present,  in  piu'suance  of  the  last  resolution,  were  intro- 
duced and  addressed  the  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  their  mission,  to 
which  a  suitable  response  was  made  by  the  moderator.  The  foUovmig 
resolution  was  also  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  duly  apj)reciates  the  marked  courtesy 
and  kindness  of  the  General  Assembly  now  sittmg  in  Philadelphia,  in 
commissioning  brethren  so  particularly  acceptable  to  us  to  be  the  bearers 
of  its  resolutions  to  this  body ;  that  we  will  take  into  careful  considera- 
tion the  proposition  presented  by  them ;  and  that,  in  order  to  proper 
deUberation  and  care  in  so  important  a  matter,  these  resolutions,  together 
with  the  message  and  exposition  of  the  delegation,  be  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  with  instruction  to  report  at  the 
earliest  possible  time,  recommending  an  answer  to  this  proposition." 

The  report  of  this  committee  was  made  in  due  time,  and,  after  full 
deliberation,  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly.  The  first  part  of  the  an- 
swer was  in  these  words: 

"  To  this  proposition,  then,  that  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and  four 
elders  be  appointed  by  this  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  commit- 
tee of  their  Assembly,  in  respect  to  opening  a  friendly  correspondence 
between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Assemblies,  your  committee  recom- 
mend the  following  answer: 

"  Whatever  obstructions  may  exist  in  the  way  of  cordial  intercom-se 
between  the  two  bodies  above  named  are  entii'ely  of  a  pubhc  nature,  and 
involve  grave  and  fundamental  principles.     The  Southern  Presb3i;erian 


Sec.  657.]        Eel.\tions  of  the  Church  with  Othek  Bodies.  463 

Church  can  coufidently  appeal  t(j  all  the  acts  and  declarations  of  all  their 
Assemblies,  that  no  attitude  of  aggTession  or  hostility  has  been,  or  is  now, 
assumed  by  it  toward  the  Northern  Church.  And  tliis  General  Assem- 
bly' distinctly  avows  (as  it  has  always  believed  and  declared)  that  no 
grievances  experienced  by  us,  however  real,  would  justify  us  in  acts  of 
aggression,  or  a  spirit  of  malice  or  Vetaliation  against  any  branch  of 
Christ's  visible  kingdom.  We  are  prepared,  therefore,  in  advance  of 
all  discussion,  to  exercise  towards  the  General  Assembly  North,  and  the 
churches  represented  therein,  such  amity  as  fidelity  to  our  principles 
could,  under  any  jiossible  circumstances,  permit.  Under  this  view,  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  of  conference  might  seem  wholly  imneces- 
sary;  but  in  order  to  exhibit  before  the  world  the  spirit  oi  conciliation 
and  kindness  to  the  last  degree,  this  Assembly  agrees  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  conference,  to  meet  a  sunilar  committee  already  appointed  by 
the  Northern  Assembly,  with  instructions  to  the  same  that  the  difficul- 
ties which  he  in  the  way  of  cordial  correspondence  between  the  two 
bodies  must  be  distinctly  met  and  removed,  and  which  may  be  compre- 
hensively stated  in  the  following  particulars." 

These  "  particulars  "  it  is  not  necessary  for  our  present  purpose  to 
recite.  A  pastoral  letter  also,  explanatory  of  this  paper,  was  addressed 
to  our  churches. 

When  this  action  of  our  Assembly  was  reported  to  the  Northern  As- 
sembly, it  immediately  resolved,  "  that  the  further  consideration  of  the 
subject  be  postponed,  and  the  committee  be  discharged,"  basing  its  ac- 
tion upon  the  gi'ound  that  "the  Southern  Assembly,  while  receiring  oiu- 
delegates  with  marked  courtesy,  and  formally  compMng  with  our  propo- 
sition for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  conference,  has,  neverthe- 
less, accompanied  that  appomtment  with  declarations  and  conditions 
which  we  caimot  accept,  because  they  involve  a  vii'tual  pre-judgment  of 
the  very  difficulties  concerning  which  we  invited  the  conference.  " 

How  far  the  reason  assigned  was  sufficient  for  dechning  a  conference 
thus  invited  and  accepted,  is  a  question  upon  which  we  are  not  here 
called  to  sit  in  judgment.  The  facts  are  before  the  world.  But  the 
practical  consideration  now  before  us  is  in  the  fact  that  a  proposal  for 
another  conference,  substantiallj'  of  the  same  purport  as  the  one  received 
in  1870,  is  now  laid  before  us.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  this  joaper 
the  Northern  Assembl}',  "  deploring  the  divisions  that  have  o(;cmTed, 
and  that  continue,  among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  earnestly  desirous  to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  dut}'  and  tidehty 
to  the  Lord  toward  healing  those  divisions,"  appomted  last  year  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  appointed  by  this  Assem- 
bly, "to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal  relations  between  these  two 
bodies."  To  any  proposal  of  this  kind  for  removing  causes  of  filiena- 
tion  among  chui'ches,  and  looking  toward  more  fraternal  relations,  the 
Southern  Presb^ierian  Church  is  now,  and  has  been  at  all  times,  pre- 
pared to  give  a  sincjere  and  hearty  response  in  the  affirmative.  At  the 
time  of  its  (n-ganization,  in  18G1,  the  follo^^■ing•  explicit  declaration  was 
made  by  our  General  Assembly,  in  an  "Address  to  all  the  chm'ches  of 
Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth :"  "  We  desire  to  cultivate  peace  and 
chai'ity  with  all  our  fellow-Christians  throughout  the  world.  We  invite 
to  ecclesiastical  communion  all  who  maintain  oiu-  principles  of  faith  and 
order."  Again,  in  18(55,  after  the  close  of  the  war,  we  tind  the  following : 
"  It  may  be  proper  at  this  ])oint  to  declare,  concerning  other  churches, 


464  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

in  the  most  explicit  manuer,  that  in  the  true  idea  of  '  the  communion  of 
saints '  we  would  willingly  hold  fellowship  with  all  who  love  oiu-  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity ;  and  especially  do  we  signify  to  all  bodies, 
ministers,  and  jDeople,  of  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch,  struggling  to  main- 
tain the  true  principles  of  the  same  time-honored  confession,  our  desire 
to  establish  the  most  intimate  relations  with  them,  which  may  be  found 
mutually  edifying  and  for  the  glory  of  God." 

These,  and  similar  declarations,  made  in  the  most  solemn  periods  iu 
the  history  of  our  Church,  and  published  to  the  world,  were  intended 
to  be  a  clear  and  abiding  avowal  of  the  spirit  of  our  successive  Assem- 
blies, and  of  our  people  represented  in  them. 

But  now,  in  response  to  this  renewed  proposal,  already  referred  to, 
this  Assembly  does  hereby  again  agree  to  appoint  a  committee,  consist- 
ing of  three  ministers  and  two  elders,  whose  dut}'  it  shall  be  to  meet 
with  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Northern  Assembly,  at  such  time 
and  place  as  may  be  designated  by  the  chairman  of  the  two  commit- 
tees, and  enter  fully  into  conference  concerning  the  removal  of  those 
causes  which  have  heretofore  prevented  fraternal  relations  between  the 
two  churches. 

Inasmuch,  however,  as  it  appears  that  the  instructions  given  to  its 
committee  by  our  Assembly  in  1870  were  made  a  ground  of  serious  ob- 
jection by  the  other  party,  this  Assembly,  with  a  sincere  desire  to  "  fol- 
low the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and  things  wherewith  one  may 
edify  another,"  yields  to  the  wishes  of  the  Northern  Assembly  in  this 
particular,  and  appoints  its  committee  without  any  special  instructions ; 
only  requiring  that  the  results  of  the  conference  shall  be  reported  to 
our  next  General  Assembly  for  its  judgment  thereon. 

In  order  to  prevent  misapprehension,  whether  on  the  part  of  our  own 
people  or  of  others,  as  to  the  purjDort  and  scope  of  any  negotiations 
which  maj  arise  from  the  step  here  taken,  the  Assembly  feels  that  it 
is  due  to  itself  and  to  candor,  to  state  explicitly,  that  an  organic  union 
with  the  Northern  Assembly  is  not  contemplated  in  this  action ;  it  being 
our  dehberate  conviction  that  the  agitation  of  that  subject  would  tend 
to  retard,  and  not  to  promote,  the  formation  of  those  "  closer  fraternal 
relations  "  which  we  understand  the  communication  now  before  us  to 
propose. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Assembly  as  explicitly  declares  the  readi- 
ness and  desire  of  our  Church,  both  of  our  judicatories  in  their  official 
capacity,  and  of  our  people  in  their  social  Christian  intercourse,  to  wel- 
come to  full  and  equal  fellowship  \^'ith  ourselves  in  the  privileges  of  the 
gospel,  and  in  labors  for  the  extension  of  our  Redeemer's  kingdom,  aU 
those  who,  holding  the  same  great  principles  of  evangelical  doctrine  and 
ecclesiastical]  poht}^  which  we  hold,  are  willing  to  cast  in  their  lot  with 
us  by  entering  our  communion. 

Respectfully  submitted,  by  order  of  the  committee, 

J.  L.  KiRKP.\TEicK,  Chainnan. 

P.  504.  Rev.  H.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  read  a  protest  against  the  action 
of  the  Assembly  in  adopting  the  paper  providing  for  a  committee  of 
conference.  It  was  ordered  that  the  protest  be  spread  upon  the  records 
without  answer. 

This  paper  is  as  follows : 

We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  protest  against  the  ac;tiou  of  the  Assembly  in 
appointing  a  committee  of  conference  to  discuss  the  question  of  " '  closer  and  more 


Sec.  657.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  465 

fraternal  relations" — so  called — with  a  similar  committee  appointed  by  the  body 
popularly  known  as  the  Northern  General  Assembly. 

1.  We  make  this  protest  because  we  judge  this  action  to  be  contrarj'  to  the  prin- 
ciples with  which  we  are  historically  ideutitied  as  a  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
which  principles  we  held  to  have  been  correctly  stated  in  a  j^aper  on  the  same  sub- 
ject, adopted  by  the  Geueral  Assembly  at  Louisville,  in  1870. 

Our  relations  with  the  Northern  (Church  are  determined  by  their  adoption  in 
1861  of  what  are  commonly  known  as  ' '  the  Spring  resolutions, "  the  principles  con- 
tained in  which  have  been  re-attirmed,  endorsed,  and  elaborated  by  them  in  all 
their  subsequent  legislation,  and  have  never  been  withdrawn  nor  rescinded  by  them. 
By  said  acti(m,  to  use  the  language  of  the  protest  offered  oia  th.it  occasion,  and 
signed  l\y  the  mo; lerator  of  that  Assembly  himself,  and  by  many  others — "in  de- 
ciding a  political  question,  aud  in  making  that  decisicm  practically  a  condition  of 
membership  to  the  Church,  the  Asseml>ly,  in  our  judgment,  violated  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Church,  and  usurped  the  prerogative  of  its  Divine  Master."  Under  said 
action,  the  Presbyteries  originally  composing  this  body  felt  themselves  extruded 
from  the  communion  of  that  Assembly.  And  the  organization  of  the  Southern 
Church  stands,  and  has  stood  since  that  time,  as  a  living  testimony  for  the  su- 
premacy of  Christ  as  Lord  of  the  (conscience,  and  for  the  spirituality  of  his  king- 
dom, principles  dishonored  by  them  in  us.  Nor  can  we  consistently  blunt  the  edge 
of  our  testimtmy  for  these  principles  l)y  any  othcial  corresjjoudence  which  would 
change  our  attitude  of  protest,  while  that  brand  of  dishonor  remains. 

2.  Their  overture  adopted  in  1873,  and  sent  us  bj'  the  Northern  Assembly,  af- 
fords no  sufficient  reason  for  the  course  pursued  by  this  Assembly.  We  are  pain- 
fully convinced  that  their  overture  evades  the  very  questions  it  pretends  to  meet. 
It  assures  us  that  both  bodies  composing  their  Assembly  unanimously  adopted  a  re- 
solution making  ' '  null  and  vc>id  and  of  no  binding  effect  all  action  touching  their 
brethren  adhering  to  the  Southern  Assembly,  or  to  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri." 

Whereas,  both  bodies  referred  to  have  lately  adopted,  and  made  part  of  their  re- 
cord, a  paper  which  endorses  in  the  most  solemn,  formal,  and  unequivocal  manner, 
and  which  sets  forth  and  maintains  the  very  jirinciples  against  which  we  have  pro- 
tested, and  do  now  protest,  to-wit:  the  decision  of  a  civil  court  in  the  case  of  the 
Walnut  Street  cburch,  Louisville,  Kentucky.  (See  Digest,  i^rinted  by  order  of  the 
General  Assembly,  Minutes,  1873.) 

Their  overture  proposes  to  express  confidence  in  our  "soundness  of  doctrine  and 
Christian  character." 

Whereas,  the  abusive  and  slanderous  charges  made  against  our  ministers  and 
Church,  publicly  and  continuously  reiterated,  touching  not  only  our  doctrine  and 
character,  but  even  our  motives,  are  not  only  not  formally  retracted,  but  are  actu- 
ally, by  implication  at  least,  repeated  and  re-affirmed  in  the  paper  just  referred  to, 
and  very  recently  made  part  of  their  record. 

Their  overture  also,  in  order  ti>  produce  the  impression  upon  us,  and  upon  the 
public  mind,  that  the  Northern  Assembly  does  really  hold,  and  is  governed  bj'  the 
principles  of  freedom  of  conscience  and  the  spirituality  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and 
that  no  past  action  can  operate  as  a  precedent  for  any  future  violation  of  these 
principles,  "deems  it  sufficient  to  call  attention  to  the  fact,"  that  they  profess  to 
hold,  in  common  with  ourselves,  standards  which  proclaim  that  Christ  is  Lord  of 
the  conscience,  and  that  ' '  Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  nothing  but  what  is 
ecclesiastical. " 

Whereas,  it  is  a  notorious  fact  that  said  Assembly  never,  at  any  time  in  its  history, 
more  publicly  and  emphatically  professed  allegiance  to  those  very  princi^jles  than 
when  engaged  in  the  act  of  "violating  the  ccmstitution  of  the  Church,  and  usurp- 
ing the  prerogative  of  its  Divine  Master."  (See  protest  of  Dr.  Hodge  and  othei-s, 
Minutes,  1801.)  To  the  many  and  solemn  utterances  of  our  own  Church,  and  of 
godly  men  within  their  own  communion;  to  the  full  and  lucid  testimonies  of  the 
Synod  t)f  Kentucky,  and  the  Synod  of  ^lissouri ;  to  the  explicit  testimony  of  a  pre- 
vious Assembly,  the  Northern  Asstaubly  now  offers  a  bare  technical  reference,  as  a 
fair  and  full  satisfaction  of  all  honest  doubts  and  difficulties,  and  of  all  injuries 
publicly  and  officially  Ijrought  to  their  attention.  In  view  of  these  facts,  we  are 
constrained  to  regard  this  part  of  their  overture  as  a  manifest  evasion  of  the  ques- 
tions at  issue  between  us.  It  is  our  opinion,  therefore,  that  the  overture  affords  no 
ju.st  gi-ound  for  changing  our  present  attitude  of  protest  tow  ard  that  Assembly,  but 
on  the  ccmtrary,  much  to  make  us  more  careful  than  ever  how  we  enter  into  any 
negotiations  with  that  body,  until  all  ground  for  susjjicion  of  ambiguous  dealing  is 
removed. 

30 


466  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

3.  To  appoint  a  committee  of  conference,  in  present  circumstances,  is,  we  fear, 
calcnlated  to  place  ns  in  a  false  jiositiou  before  the  Christian  world.  It  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that  owv  beloved  Chnrch  is  historically  identified  with  testimony  for  the 
supremacy  of  Christ  as  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  for  the  spiritiiality  of  his 
Church.  It  is  well  kno^^  n  that  the  duty  to  testify  for  these  fundamental  principles 
has  been,  in  the  providence  of  God,  specially  bound  upon  us  by  the  very  action  of 
the  Northern  Assembly ;  and  that  since  the  enactment  of  the  ' '  Spring  resoltitions, " 
in  1861,  we  have  borne  our  testimony  in  pj'otest  against  the  continuous  legislation 
of  the  Northern  Assembly,  by  which  these  jirinciples  have  been  in  us  dishonored. 
It  is  as  well  kno^^  u  that  the  Northern  Assembly  is  historically  identified  with  a  sys- 
tem of  proscriptive  legislation  by  which,  in  the  judgment  of  many,  the  good  name 
of  Christ  and  of  his  Church  has  been  dishonored ;  and  that,  moreover,  they  have 
never  rescinded  siach  legislation,  and  that  they  still  maintain  the  principles  on 
which  it  is  founded.  Should  we,  therefore,  in  such  circumstances  as  these,  consent 
now  to  enter  into  a  conference  which,  for  the  very  reasons  above  stated,  we  have 
hitherto  steadily  refused,  it  immediately  gives  rise  to  the  opinion  that  we  have  re- 
ceded from  our  testimony.  By  changing  our  attitude  toward  that  body,  while  they 
have  made  no  adequate  correspondinf;  change  in  their  real  attittide  towards  us,  will 
give  rise  to  the  opinion  that  we  have  consented  to  suppress  our  testimony  to  these 
principles,  and  that  in  suppressing  our  own  testimony  we  are  practically  admitting 
the  truthfulness  of  theirs.  By  this  action,  as  it  appears  to  us,  the  Assembly  runs 
great  risk  of  casting  suspicion  upon  the  glorious  record  of  the  past  history  and  upon 
the  present  attitiide  of  our  beloved  Church. 

We  feel  constrained,  therefore,  to  protest  against  this  action  of  the  Assembly, 
because  it  contravenes  the  duty  we  owe  to  the  precious  principles  which  were  en- 
triasted  to  us  to  maintain  and  to  defend;  because  the  reasons  proposed  in  the  overture 
of  the  Northern  Assembly  are  not  sufficient  to  justify  any  change  in  our  relations  to 
that  body ;  because  it  tends  to  misrepresent  the  real  position  of  our  beloved  Church 
before  the  world;  and  because  it  tends  to  jsromote  doubt,  agitation  and  discord 
among  our  people. 

Inasmuch  as  the  facts  and  principles  on  which  this  protest  is  founded  cannot  be 
denied,  we  can  but  express  the  earnest  hope  and  confidence  that  the  Holy  Spirit 
may  so  attend  and  guide  our  rej^resentatives  in  the  projected  conference  that  these 
things  be  neither  overlooked  nor  set  aside. 

Signed  by  H.  M.  Smith,  James  Fentress,  E.  K.  Smoot,  A.  H.  Phillips,  D.  N. 
Kennedy,  (Tharles  F.  Collier,  D.  A.  CampbeU,  J.  O.  Lindsav,  H.  F.  Hoyt,  J.  Wistar 
Simpson,  John  L.  Yantis,  W.  L.  Whitman,  Charles  F.  Reid,  R.  S.  McAllister,  D. 
McNeill  Turner,  Isaac  J.  Long,  George  W.  Ewell,  F.  Stringer,  A.  W.  Dinsmore,  J. 
W.  Eobb,  C.  H.  Rochester,  E.  J.  Vann,  John  L.  Girardeau. 

P.  519.  The  moderator  then  announced  the  following  names,  to 
constitute  the  Committee  of  Conference  with  the  committee  of  the 
Northern  General  Assembly,  "saz. :  Eev.  William  Brown,  D.  D.,  Eev. 
E.  P.  Farris,  D.  D.,  Eev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Chancellor  J.  A.  Inglis, 
Hon.  B.  M.  Estes.  This  appointment  was  confirmed  by  a  rising  vote 
of  the  Assembly,  which  vote  was,  with  but  two  exceptions,  imanimous. 

The  Eev.  J.  L.  KirkiDatrick,  D.  D.,  was,  by  vote  of  the  Assembly, 
appointed  alternate  to  any  member  of  the  committee  who  may  fail  to 
attend. 

658.  Failure  of  the  conference. 

The  Committee  of  Confei-ence  submitted  a  I'eport,  which  was  refen'ed 
to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence.  That  committee  sub- 
mitted the  f oll(  )wing  unanimous  report : 

1875,  p.  17.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  respect- 
fully report  that  they  have  examined  the  report  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  from  the  Northern  General 
Assembly,  touching  an  overture  from  the  latter  body  for  fraternal  rela- 
tions ;  and  that  they  have  also  considered  the  overture  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Knoxville  with  reference  to  the  same  subject.  Your  commit- 
tee recommend  the  discharge  of  the  Committee  of  Conference  from  the 


Sec.  659.]         Eel.\tions  of  the  Cht-bch  with  Other  Bodies.  467 

further  consideration  of  the  matter  entrusted  to  them,  axicompanied  by 
the  following  minute : 

This  Assembly,  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Church,  tenders  special 
thanks  to  the  Committee  of  Conference  for  the  dihgence,  fidelity,  and 
Christian  prudence  with  which  they  have  discharged  the  dehcate  and 
important  trust  conmiitted  to  them ;  and,  whilst  regretting  the  failm*e 
of  the  conference  as  to  its  chief  end,  hereby  apjn'oves  in  general  the 
course  of  the  committee,  and  in  particular  approves  and  endorses,  as 
satisfactory  to  the  Southern  Church,  the  condition  precedent  to  fi'ater- 
nal  I'elatii  )DS  suggested  by  our  committee,  viz. :  "  If  your  Assembly 
could  see  its  way  clear  to  say,  in  a  few  j^laiu  words,  to  this  eflfect,  that 
these  obnoxious  things  were  said  and  done  in  times  of  great  excitement, 
and  are  to  be  regretted,  and  that  now,  in  a  calm  review,  the  imputa- 
tions cast  upon  the  Southern  Church  (of  schism,  heresy,  and  blasphemy) 
are  disapproved,  that  would  end  the  difficulty  at  once." 

Joseph  R.  Welson,  Chairman. 

The  adoption  of  the  above  report  was  moved  by  Euling  Elder  J.  W. 
Clai:)p,  whereupon  it  was  adopted  unanimously,  and  without  discussion. 

659.  ■  The  correspondence  had  between  the  committees. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  Baltimore  conferees,  found  on 
page  75,  Minutes  of  1875  : 

liev.  William  Browu,  D.  D.,  presented  aud  read  tlie  following  report: 
To  till'  Modirator  of  the  Genend  AmtiiMy  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 

States,  to  convene  in  St.  Louis,  May  20,  1875: 

The  undersigned  were  apijointed  a  committee  by  the  last  General  Assembly  "to 
meet  with  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Northern  General  Assembly, "  and  enter 
fully  into  conference  concerning  the  removal  of  those  causes  which  have  heretofore 
prevented  fraternal  relations  between  the  two  churches. 

Pursuant  to  an  ai-rangement  made  between  the  chairmen  of  these  two  committees, 
they  met  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  Franklin  Street  Presbyterian  church,  Balti- 
more, on  Thursday,  January  the  7th,  1874,  at  7  o'clock  v.  m.  There  were  present 
from  the  committee  ajipointed  bv  the  Northern  Assemblv,  Kev.  Samuel  J.  NiccoUs, 
D.  I).,  Rev.  Henry  J.  Van  Dyke,  U.  D.,  Kev.  Henry  Darling,  D.  D.,  Eev.  Ebene- 
zer  Erskine,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Skinner,  D.  D.,  aud  Hon.  Samuel  ]M.  Breck- 
euridge.     It  will  be  seen  that  all  the  members  of  our  committee  were  in  attendance. 

After  consultation,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  the  conference  should  be  held 
in  private.  It  was  also  unanimously  agieed  that  it  should  be  conducted  by  written 
communications;  not,  however,  to  the  exclusion  of  oral  conferences  whenever  de- 
sired by  either  side.  The  reasons  for  adopting  this  mode  were,  first,  that  it  was  the 
most  practicable,  inasmuch  as  it  would  best  enable  each  committee  to  act  as  a  unit 
in  whatever  was  done ;  and  second,  that  it  would  prevent  misrepresentation  after- 
wards. 

The  committees  then  separated,  and  the  conference  was  opened  and  continued 
till  the  evehing  of  Thursday,  January  loth,  when,  in  joint  session,  it  was  declared 
to  be  adjourned  sine  die. 

While  your  committee  were  not  authorized  to  consummate  anything,  as  a  bind- 
ing measure,  it  was  considered  proper  and  ueces.sary,  both  from  the  terms  of  our 
commission  and  the  nature  of  the  case,  to  state  clearly  and  fully  what  we  under- 
stood to  be  "the  causes  which  have  heretitforo  prevented  fraternal  relations  be- 
tween the  two  churches,"  and  what  we  believe  to  be  indispensal)le  for  their  '"re- 
moval." Our  appointment  was  not  accompanied  with  any  other  instructions,  ex- 
cept to  report  the  results  of  the  conference  to  the  next  (that  is,  to  this)  Assembly 
for  its  judgment  thereon.  These  "results"  are  herewith  laid  before  your  vener- 
able body  in  our  report  of  the  correspondence  held  by  the  two  committees.  It  is 
submitted  under  a  solemn  sense  of  the  magnitude  of  the  trust  confided  to  our  hands, 
and  of  our  respimsibility,  both  to  Christ  our  Lord  and  to  his  Church,  for  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  has  been  discharged.      In  all  the  deliberations  of  our  committee. 


468  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genebal  Assembly.        [Book  VII. 

and  in  everything  contained  in  those  pajjers,  there  was  entire  harmony  and  unani- 
mity. 

Our  consent  to  the  publication  of  this  correspondence  having  been  asked  by  the 
other  party,  it  was  readily  granted,  inasmuch  as  it  was  deemed  imjDortant  for  the 
correct  information  of  all  the  churches  interested.  Under  instructions  given  by 
our  committee  the  whole  was  iJublished  at  the  earliest  time  practicable  by  all  the 
newspapers  connected  with  our  denomination.  We  have  no  knowledge  of  any  pub- 
lication whatever,  as  yet,  on  the  part  of  the  other  committee. 

It  is  gratifying  to  reflect  that  our  personal  intercourse,  in  social  and  devotional 
meetings,  with  the  brethren  from  the  Northern  Assembly,  was  throughout  so  en- 
tirely agreeable.  llespectfully  submitted,  William  Bkown, 

B.  M.  Palmek,         B.  M.  Estes, 
11.  P.  Faeeis,  J.  A.  Inglis. 

No.    1. 

Baltimoee,  January  7,  1875. 
Rev.   Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,   Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Conference  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Assi'mblyof  the  Presbyterian   Church  in  tJie  United  States 
of  America  : 

Dear  Sie:  In  opening  the  conference  which  has  been  appointed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  your  Church,  popularly  known  as  the  General  Assembly,  North,  and 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  popu- 
larly known  as  the  General  Assembly,  South,  it  may  he  useful,  as  a  satisfactory  his- 
tory of  the  same,  and  for  a  proj^er  understanding  of  its  object,  to  present  a  copj^  of 
a  report  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  which  was  adopted  by 
the  last  General  Assembly,  South,  at  its  sessions  m  Columbus,  Mississiiipi,  in  May, 
1874.     This  report  is  as  follows : 

Paper  adopted  by  Southern  Assembly. 

The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  beg  leave  to  rei^ort  to  the  General 
Assembly  as  follows : 

Three  papers  were  referred  to  the  committee  touching  the  matter  to  which  the 
report  relates,  viz. :  First,  an  official  communication  to  this  Assembly  from  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  which, 
as  it  will  be  hereafter  cited  at  large  in  this  rej^ort,  need  not  be  here  more  particu- 
larly described;  Second,  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  South  Alabama,  "on 
the  subject  of  closer  relations  with  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church, "  and  express- 
ing the  hope  that  our  General  Assembly  will  establish  such  relations;  Third,  an 
overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Chesapeake,  asking  this  Assembly  to  appoint  "a 
committee,  untrammelled  by  instructions,  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  the 
Northern  General  Assembly,"  as  to  "such  measures  as  shall  be  best  adapted  to  pro- 
mote friendly  relations  and  fraternal  correspondence. "  Both  of  these  overtures 
represent  that  an  "organic  union"  between  the  two  bodies  represented  by  the  two 
Assemblies  is  not  contemplated  in  the  request  contained  in  their  parsers. 

The  committee  have  given  to  the  subject  a  most  careful  and  laborious  considera- 
tion, and  now  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  the  adoption  of  the  following 
answer  to  the  same. 

The  communication  from  the  Northern  Assembly  is  in  the  following  words : 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  session  at  Baltimore,  May  21,  1873: 
The  General  Assembly,  deploring  the  divisions  that  have  occurred,  and  that  con- 
tinue, among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  earnestly  desiring 
to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  duty  and  hdelity  to  the  Lord  toward  healing  these 
divisions;  and,  furthermore,  having  good  reason  to  hojDe  that  the  action  contem- 
plated in  the  following  paper  will  promote  and  secure  this  happy  result,  do  sol- 
emnly declare: 

Virst,  That  in  accordance  with  a  resolution,  unanimously  adopted  by  each  of  the 
two  bodies  now  constituting  the  re-united  Church,  all  action  touching  the  brethren 
adhering  to  the  body  popularly  known  as  the  Southern  General  Assembly,  together 
with  all  action  touching  the  brethren  adhering  to  the  body  known  as  the  Old  School 
Synod  of  Missouri,  has  been,  since  the  re-union,  and  is  now,  null  and  void,  and 
therefore  of  no  binding  effect,  and  not  to  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  in  the  future. 
Sewnd,  The  Assembly  also  express  confidence  in  the  soundness  of  doctrine,  and 
in  the  Christian  character  of  these  brethren,  and  cannot  doubt  that  a  more  intimate 


Sec.  659.]       Relations  of  the  Chuech  wtts  Other  Bodies.  469 

communion  would  lead  to  the  speedy  removal  of  the  barriers  that  now  separate 
those  of  like  precious  faith,  to  increased  mutual  afifection  and  esteem,  and  to  a 
practical  manifestation  of  oneness  in  Christ. 

Third,  With  regard  to  the  civil  magistrate,  and  the  relation  of  church  and  state, 
the  Assembly  deem  it  sufficient  to  call  attention  to  the  following  statements  and 
principles  found  in  our  standards,  to-wit : 

(1.)  "Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which  is 
ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs  which  concern  the  com- 
monwealth, unless  by  way  of  humble  petition  in  cases  extraordiaiary,  or  by  way  of 
advice,  for  satisfaction  of  conscience,  if  they  be  thereunto  required  by  the  civil 
magistrate."     (Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXI.,  Sec.  IV.) 

(2. )  "  That  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the  doc- 
trines and  commandments  of  men,  which  are  in  anything  contrary  to  his  Word,  or 
beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship."  "That  all  church  power,  whether  exer- 
cised by  the  body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of  representation,  by  delegated  author- 
ity, is  only  ministerial  and  declarative.  7^/iat  is  to  say,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures 
are  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  manners ;  that  no  church  judicatory  oiight  to  jiretend 
to  make  laws  to  bind  the  conscience  in  virtue  of  their  own  authority ;  and  that  all 
their  decisions  should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will  of  God."  (Form  of  Gov- 
ernment, Chap.  I.,  Sees.  I.  and  VII.) 

Fourth,  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  spirit  of  the  foregoing  resolutions, 
the  Assembly  will  appoint  two  committees,  to  confer  with  similar  committees,  if 
appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  and  by  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missouri,  to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal 
relations  ^^•ith  these  bodies. 

This  paper  was  adopted  iinanimously,  and  the  following  committee  was  accord- 
ingly appointed  to  confer  with  a  like  committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  South: 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D. ,  Eev.  Henry  J.  Van  Dyke,  D.  D. ,  Eev.  Ebenezer 
Erskine,  D   D.,  Mr.  J.  K.  Moorehead,  and  Hon.  JoseiA  W.  Edwards. 

A  true  extract.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  S.  G. 

In  order  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  whole  matter,  and  of  our  duty  in  the 
premises,  it  may  be  proper  to  refer  to  a  previous  occasion,  when  it  was  brought 
under  the  consideration  of  the  Southern  General  Assembly. '  Four  years  ago,  in 
1870,  a  paper  was  received  from  the  Northern  General  Assemblj%  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  a  copy : 

' '  Whereas,  this  General  Assembly  believes  that  the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of 
our  Lord  throughout  our  entire  country  will  be  greatly  promoted  by  healing  all 
Tinnecessary  divisions ; 

"Whereas,  this  General  Assembly  desires  the  speedy  establishment  of  cordial  re- 
lations with  the  body  known  as  the  '  Southern  Presbyterian  Church, '  on  terms  of 
mutual  confidence,  respect.  Christian  honor,  and  love ; 

"Whereas,  we  believe  that  the  terms  of  re-union  between  the  two  branches  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  North,  now  so  happily  consummated,  present  an 
auspicious  opportunity  for  the  adjustment  of  such  relations;  therefore,  be  it — 

^'Itcsohrd,  1,  That  a  committee  of  live  ministers  and  four  elders  be  appointed 
by  this  Assembly,  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  it  should  be  api:)ointed  by 
the  Assembly  now  in  session  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  respect  to  opening  a 
friendly  correspondence  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches, 
and  that  the  result  of  such  conference  be  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1871. 

''licHdlvcd,  2,  That,  with  a  view  to  the  furtherance  of  the  object  contemplated  in 
the  appointment  of  said  committee,  this  Assembly  hereby  re-affirms  the  'Concur- 
rent Declaration'  of  the  two  Assemblies  which  met  in  the  city  of  New  York  last 
year,  viz. : 

"  'That  no  rule  or  precedent  which  does  not  stand  approved  by  both  bodies  shall 
be  of  any  autlunity  in  the  re-united  body,  except  in  so  far  as  such  rule  or  precedent 
may  affect  the  rights  of  property  therein. ' 

^^Rcmlred,  3,  That  two  ministers  and  one  elder  of  the  committee  appointed  by 
this  Assembly  be  designated  as  delegates  to  convey  to  the  Assembly  now  in  session 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  with  our  Christian  salutations." 

This  communication  having  been  presented,  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Backus,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
H.  J  Van  Dyke,  D.  D.,  and  the  Hon.  W.  E.  Dodge,  delegates  appointed  and  pre- 
sent, in  pursuance  of  the  last  resolution,  were  introduced,  and  addressed  the  Assem- 
bly on  the  subject  of  their  mission,  to  which  a  suitable  response  was  made  by  the 
moderator.     The  following  resolution  was  also  adopted : 


470  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

"Besolved,  That  this  Assembly  duly  appreciates  the  marked  courtesy  and  kind- 
ness of  the  General  Assembly  now  sitting  in  Philadeli^hia,  in  commissioning  breth- 
ren so  particularly  acceptable  to  us  to  be  the  bearers  of  its  resolutions  to  this  body ; 
that  we  will  take  into  careful  consideration  the  iJropositiou  presented  by  them;  and 
that,  in  order  to  proper  deliberation  and  care  in  so  important  a  matter,  these  reso- 
lutions, together  with  the  message  and  exposition  of  the  delegation,  be  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  with  instruction  to  report,  at  the  earliest 
possible  time,  recommending  an  answer  to  this  proposition. " 

The  report  of  this  committee  was  made  in  due  time,  and,  after  full  deliberation, 
was  adopted  hj  the  Assembly.     The  first  part  of  the  answer  was  in  these  words : 

"To  this  proposition,  then,  that  a  committee  of  iive  ministers  and  four  elders  be 
appointed  by  this  Assemblj^  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  of  their  Assembly, 
in  respect  to  opening  a  friendly  corresisondence  between  the  Northern  and  South- 
ern Assemblies,  your  committee  recommend  the  following  answer: 

"Whatever  obstructions  may  exist  in  the  waj' of  a  cordial  intercoTirse  between 
the  two  bodies  above  named  are  entirely  of  a  public  nature,  and  involve  grave  and 
fundamental  princi2)les  The  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  can  confidently  ap- 
peal to  all  the  acts  and  declarations  of  all  their  Assemblies,  that  no  attitude  of  ag- 
gression or  hostility  has  been,  or  is  now,  assumed  by  it  toward  the  Northern  Church. 
And  this  General  Assembly  distinctly  avows  (as  it  has  always  believed  and  declared) 
that  no  grievances  experienced  by  us,  however  real,  would  justify  us  in  acts  of  ag- 
gi-essiou,  or  a  spirit  of  malice  or  retaliation  against  any  branch  of  Christ's  visible 
kingdom.  We  are  prepared,  therefore,  in  advance  of  all  discussion,  to  exercise  to- 
wards the  General  Assembly  North,  and  the  churches  represented  therein,  such 
amity  as  fidelity  to  our  principles  could,  under  any  possible  circumstances,  permit. 
Under  this  view,  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  conference  might  seem  wholly 
unnecessary ;  but  in  order  to  exhibit  before  the  world  the  spirit  of  conciliation  and 
kindness  to  the  last  degree,  this  Assembly  agrees  to  appoint  a  committee  of  confer- 
ence, to  meet  a  similar  committee  already  ajDpointed  by  the  Northern  Assembly, 
with  instructions  to  the  same  that  the  difficulties  which  lie  in  the  way  of  cordial 
correspondence  between  the  two  bodies  must  be  distinctly  met  and  removed,  and 
which  maj'  be  comprehensively  stated  in  the  following  particulars. "" 

These  "particulars"  it  is  not  necessary  for  our  present  purpose  to  recite.  A  pas- 
toral letter,  also,  explanatory  of  this  paper,  was  addressed  to  our  churches. 

When  this  action  of  our  Assembly  was  reported  to  the  Northern  Assembly  it  im- 
mediately resolved  "that  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject  be  postjioned,  and 
the  committee  be  discharged,"  basing  its  action  u^jon  the  groiind  that  "the  South- 
ern Assemblj',  while  receiving  out  delegates  with  marked  courtesy,  and  formally 
complying  with  our  proposition  for  the  aijpoiutment  of  a  committee  of  conference, 
has,  nevertheless,  accompanied  that  appointment  with  declarations  and  conditions 
which  we  cannot  accept,  because  they  involve  a  virtual  pre-judgment  of  the  very 
difficulties  concerning  which  we  invited  the  conference. " 

How  far  the  reason  assigned  was  sufficient  for  declining  a  conference  thus  in- 
vited and  accepted,  is  a  question  upon  which  we  are  not  here  called  to  sit  in  judg- 
ment. The  facts  are  before  the  world.  But  the  ^jractical  consideration  now  before 
us  is  in  the  fact  that  a  proposal  for  another  conference,  substantially  of  the  same  pur- 
port as  the  one  received  in  1870,  is  now  laid  before  us.  It  will  be  observed  that  in 
this  palmer  the  Northern  Assembly,  "deploring  the  divisions  that  have  occurred, 
and  that  continue,  among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  earn- 
estly desirous  to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  Lord  toward 
heahug  those  divisions,"  appointed  last  year  a  committee  to  confer  with  a  similar 
committee,  if  api^ointed  by  this  Assembly,  "to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal rela- 
lations  between  these  two  bodies."  To  any  proposal  of  this  kind  for  removing 
causes  of  alienation  among  the  churches,  and  looking  toward  more  fraternal  rela- 
tions, the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  is  now,  and  has  been  at  all  times,  prepared 
to  give  a  sincere  and  hearty  response  in  the  affirmative.  At  the  time  of  its  organi- 
zation, in  18G1,  the  following  explicit  declaration  waS  made  by  our  General  Assem- 
bly, in  an  "Address  to  all  the  Churches  of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth": 
"We  desire  to  cultivate  peace  and  charity  with  all  our  fellow-Christians  throughout 
the  world.  We  invite  to  ecclesiastical  communion  all  who  maintain  our  principles 
of  faith  and  order. "  Again,  in  1865,  after  the  close  of  the  war,  we  find  the  follow- 
ing: "It  may  be  proper  at  this  point  to  declare,  concerning  other  (churches,  in  the 
most  explicit  manner,  that,  in  the  tvne  idea  of  '  the  communion  of  saints, '  we  would 
willingly  hold,  fellowship  with  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity ;  and 
especially  do  we  signify  to  all  bodies,  ministers  and  people  of  the  Presbyterian 


Sec.  659.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  471 

Church,  struggling  to  maintain  the  true  principles  of  the  same  time-honored  con- 
fession, our  desire  to  establish  the  most  intimate  relations  ^\'ith  them  which  may  be 
found  mutually  edifjing  and  for  the  glory  of  God." 

These,  and  similar  declarations,  made  in  the  most  solemn  periods  in  the  history 
of  our  Church,  and  iiublished  to  the  world,  were  intended  to  be  a  clear  and  abiding 
avowal  of  the  spirit  of  our  successive  Asseniblies,  and  of  our  people  represented  in 
them. 

But  now,  in  response  to  this  renewed  proposal  already  referred  to,  this  Assembly 
does  hereby  again  agree  to  appoint  a  committee,  consisting  o*  three  ministers  and 
two  elders,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  with  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
Northern  Assembly,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  designated  by  the  chairmen 
of  the  two  committees,  and  enter  fully  into  conference  concerning  the  removal  of 
those  causes  which  have  heretofore  prevented  fraternal  relations  between  the  two 
churches. 

Inasmuch,  however,  as  it  appears  that  the  instructions  given  to  its  committee  by 
our  Assembly  in  1870  were  made  a  groiind  of  serious  objection  by  the  other  party, 
this  Assembly,  with  a  sincere  desire  to  "follow  the  things  which  make  for  peace, 
and  things  wherewith  one  may  edify  another, "  yields  to  the  wishes  of  the  Northern 
Assembly  in  this  particular,  and  appoints  its  committee  without  any  special  instruc- 
tions, only  requiring  that  the  results  of  the  conference  shall  be  reported  to  our  next 
General  Assembly  for  its  judgment  thereon. 

In  order  to  prevent  misapprehension,  whether  on  the  part  of  our  own  people  or 
others,  as  to  the  purport  and  scope  of  anj'  negotiations  which  may  arise  from  the 
step  here  taken,  the  Assembly  feels  that  it  is  due  to  itself  and  to  candor  to  state 
explicitly  that  an  organic  union  with  the  Northern  Assembly  is  not  contemplated  in 
this  action,  it  being  our  deliberate  conviction  that  the  agitation  of  that  subject 
would  tend  to  retard,  and  not  to  promote,  the  formation  of  those  "closer  fraternal 
relations"  which  we  understand  the  communication  now  before  us  to  jDroiJOse. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Assembly  as  exijlicitly  declares  the  readiness  and  de- 
sire of  our  Church,  both  of  our  judicatories  in  their  official  capacity  and  of  our  peo- 
ple in  their  social  Christian  intercourse,  to  welcome  to  full  and  equal  fellowship 
Anth  ourselves  in  the  privileges  of  the  gospel,  and  in  labors  for  the  extension  of  our 
Redeemer's  kingdom,  all  those  who,  holding  the  same  great  principles  of  evangelical 
doctrine  and  ecclesiastical  polity  which  we  hold,  are  willing  to  cast  in  their  lot  with 
us  by  entering  our  counnuniou. 

Respectfully  submitted,  by  order  of  the  committee, 

J.  L.  KiRKPATRicK,  Chaii'mcm. 

The  following  committee  was  accordingly  appointed  to  confer  with  the  committee 
apijointed  bv  the  Assemblv  North,  viz.:  Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D..  Rev.  R.  P. 
Farris,  D.  1)'.,  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D.,  Hon.  J.  A.  Inglis   Hon.  B.  M.  Estes. 

We  have  the  satisfaction  now  to  inform  you  that  all  the  members  of  the  com- 
mittee above  named  are  present,  and  are  prepared  to  undertake  the  solemn  and 
responsible  duty  assigned  them,  viz.:  "to  enter  fully  into  conference  concerning 
the  removal  of  those  causes  which  have  heretofore  prevented  fraternal  relations  be- 
tween the  two  churches;"  and  we  take  the  earliest  occasion  to  say  that,  if  these 
existing  "causes"  can  be  removed,  and  such  fraternal  relations  estal)lished,  the 
result  will  ho.  viewed  with  sincere  gratification  by  this  committee,  and  by  the  Church 
which  we  r(>present. 

As  we  are  here  in  response  to  the  invitation  received  from  your  General  Assembly, 
it  seems  to  us  the  most  suitable  way  of  approaching  the  important  subject  in  charge 
of  the  two  committees,  to  request  a  statement  on  your  part  of  such  matters  as  you 
deem  it  proper  to  i)ropose  for  our  consideration.  They  shall  receive  on  our  part  a 
prom])t  and  earnest  attention.  Yours  very  truly. 

WimjIam  Brown,  (Vutlrmnn. 
No.  2. 

Baltimore,  January  St/i,  1875. 
Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  U.,  ('lntirmdiiofVic  Committee  appointed  by  tJie  Oenerai 

Assembly  of  the  Prexbyterian  Uhurch  in  the  United  States: 

Dear  Brother:  Vour  communication,  containing  a  copy  of  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  of  your  Assembly,  and  also  a  statement  of 
the  functions  of  your  Committee  of  Conference,  has  been  received,  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee  of  our  Assembly.  In  reply,  we  beg  leave  first  of  all  to 
call  the  attention  of  your  committee  to  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  under 
which  our  committee  was  appointed,  which  is  as  follows : 


472  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

The  General  Assembly,  deploring  the  divisions  that  have  occurred,  and  that  con- 
tinue, among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  earnestly  desiring 
to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  Lord  toward  healing  these 
divisions ;  and  furthermore,  having  good  reason  to  hope  that  the  action  contem- 
plated in  the  following  paper  will  promote  and  secure  this  happy  result,  do  solemnly 
declare — 

First,  That  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  unanimously  adopted  by  each  of  the 
two  bodies  now  constituting  the  re-united  Church,  all  action  toiiching  the  brethren 
adhering  to  the  body  popularly  known  as  the  Southern  General  Assembly,  together 
with  all  action  touching  the  brethren  adhering  to  the  body  known  as  the  Old  School 
Synod  of  Missouri,  has  been,  since  the  re-union,  and  is  now,  null  and  void,  and 
therefore  of  no  binding  effect,  and  not  to  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  in  the  future. 

Second,  The  Assembly  also  express  confidence  in  the  soundness  of  doctrine,  and 
in  the  Christian  character  of  these  brethren,  and  cannot  doubt  that  a  more  inti- 
mate communion  would  lead  to  the  speedy  removal  of  the  barriers  that  now  sepa- 
rate those  of  like  precious  faith,  to  increased  mutual  affection  and  esteem,  and  to  a 
practical  manifestation  of  oneness  in  Christ. 

Third,  With  regard  to  the  civil  magistrate,  and  the  relation  of  church  and  state, 
the  Assembly  deem  it  sufficient  to  call  attention  to  the  following  statements  and 
principles  found  in  our  standards,  to-wit: 

(1,)  "Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  hwi  that  which  is 
ecclesiastical;  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs  which  concern  the  com- 
monwealth, unless  by  way  of  humble  petition  in  cases  extraordinary;  or  by  way  of 
advice,  for  satisfaction  of  conscience,  if  they  be  thereunto  reqiiired  by  the  civil 
magistrate."     (Confession  of  Faith,  C\\k^.  XXXI.,  Sec.  IV.) 

(2, )  ' '  That  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the 
doctrines  and  commandments  of  men,  which  are,  if  anything,  contrary  to  his  Word, 
or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship."  "That  all  church  power,  whether 
exercised  by  the  body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of  representation  by  delegated  au- 
thority, is  only  ministerial  and  declarative.  TItat  is  to  say,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures 
are  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  manners;  that  no  church  judicatory  ought  to  pretend 
to  make  laws  to  bind  the  conscience,  in  virtue  of  their  own  authority ;  and  that  all 
their  decisions  should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will  of  God."  (Form  of 
Government,  Chap.  I.,  Sees.  I.  and  VII. ) 

Fourth,  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  spirit  of  the  foregoing  resolutions, 
the  Assembly  will  appoint  two  committees,  to  confer  with  similar  committees,  if 
appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  and  by  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missouri,  to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal 
relations  with  these  bodies. 

The  report  was  adopted  unanimously,  and  the  following  committee  was  accord- 
ingly appointed,  to  confer  with  a  like  committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  South : 
Eev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Kev.  Henry  J.  Van  Dyke,  D.  D.,  Kev.  Ebenezer 
Erskine,  D.  D.,  Mr.  J.  K.  Moorehead,  and  Hon.  Joseph  W.  Edwards. 

After  this  action  taken  at  Baltimore,  the  committee  was  enlarged  by  order  of  the 
Assembly  of  1874,  and  the  following  persons  were  apijointed :  Eev.  S.  J.  Niccolls, 
Eev.  H.  J.  Van  Dyke,  Eev.  Henry  Darling,  Eev.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  Eev.  Thomas 
H.  Skinner,  Eev.  Ebenezer  Erskine,  and  Messrs.  Benjamin  Whiteley,  J.  K.  Moore- 
head, Joseph  W.  Edwards,  and  Samuel  M.  Breckenridge. 

We  regret  that  part  of  our  committee,  namely,  Eev.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  Benjamin 
Whiteley,  J.  K.  Mooreheail,  Joseph  W.  Edwards,  have  been  detained  by  sickness,  or 
by  such  engagements  as  necessarily  i^reveuted  their  attendance ;  but  those  who  are 
.absent  are  of  one  mind  with  lis  in  our  earnest  desire  to  see  fraternal  relations  es- 
tablished on  just  and  honorable  grounds  between  the  bodies  which  our  committees 
respectfully  rei^resent. 

We  have  recited  the  action  of  our  Assembly  iinder  which  we  have  been  aj)- 
pointed,  because  it  expresses  the  spirit  of  good-will  and  confidence  in  you  with 
which  we  come  to  this  conference.  We  represent  a  church  holding  in  every  re- 
spect the  same  standards  and  confessions  that  your  own  has  adopted.  We  have 
confidence  in  you  as  brethren  in  Christ,  and  we  believe  that  the  restoration  of  inti- 
mate and  fraternal  relations  between  our  churches  would  be  for  the  peace  of  our 
common  country,  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  to  the  honor  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church. 

In  the  earnest  desire  to  accomplish  these  ends,  we  now  propose  that  your  commit- 
tee slwuldjoin  with  us  in  recouimoiding  to  our  respective  Assemblies  the  itdereha.nge  of 
delegates,  thus  recognizing  each  other  as  corresponding  bodies.     We  desire  this,  not 


Sec.  659.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  473 

only  as  a  matter  of  courtesy  and  fraternal  feeling,  but  in  the  hope  that  it  will 
speedilj'  lead  to  an  equitable  adjustment  of  matters  of  equal  interest  to  both  bodies, 
in  the  mission  work  of  the  churches,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  and  to  co-operation 
in  the  great  work  of  evangelization. 

In  this  proposal  to  establish  between  our  Assemblies  the  fraternal  relations  of 
corresponding  bodies,  our  committee  are  unanimous;  nor  do  we  know  of  any  rea- 
sons why  it  should  not  be  doue. 

Awaiting  your  reply  to  the  proposition  contained  in  this  communication,  and 
with  fraternal  regard  and  sentiments  of  respect.  I  remain, 

In  behalf  of  the  committee,  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  Chairman. 

No.  3. 

Baltimore,  Januai'y  Wi,  1875. 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Conference : 

DEAii  Sir:  The  communication  of  your  committee  was  received  yesterday,  and 
has  been  duly  considered. 

The  only  measure  suggested  "to  e.stablish  between  our  Assemblies  the  fraternal 
relation  of  corresponding  bodies,"  to  which  you  refer,  is  in  these  words:  "In  the 
earnest  desire  to  accomplish  these  ends,  we  now  propose  that  your  committee  should 
join  with  us  in  recommending  to  our  resjiective  Assemblies  the  interchange  of  dele- 
gates, thus  recognizing  each  other  as  corresponding  bodies." 

Upon  this  proposal  we  submit  the  following  remarks : 

1.  Fraternal  correspondence  among  Presbyterian  churches  has  been  a  matter  of 
such  common  occurrence,  and  so  easily  arranged  in  the  Asseinbh'  itself,  as  naturally 
to  raise  the  incpiiry,  why  is  it  so  different  now  ?  The  simple  fact  that  two  commit- 
tees of  our  General  Assemblies  have  to  be  gathered  here,  from  far  distant  parts  of 
the  countrj-,  to  sit  in  solemn  conference  concerning  a  measure  of  this  kind,  inti- 
mates some  peculiarity  belonging  to  the  case  before  us. 

2.  This  suggestion  is  coutirmed  by  the  paper  itself  which  was  adopted  by  our 
Assembly,  for  it  speaks  of  ''divisions,"  and  a  desire  "to  do  whatever  may  be  con- 
sistent with  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  Lord  toward  healing  these  divisions. "  Your 
committee  also  speak  of  "the  restoration  of  intimate  and  fraternal  relations  between 
our  churi'hcs. "  These  ex^jressions  jDoint  with  unerring  certainty  to  a  fact  well 
known  over  the  whole  country,  namely,  that  between  your  Church  and  ours  there 
has  been,  for  more  than  ten  years,  such  an  entire  alienation  as  to  prevent  all  fra- 
ternal correspondence  between  the  two  General  Assemblies. 

When,  therefore,  your  committee  propose  to  heal  acknowledged  "divisions," 
and  "the  restoration  of  intimate  and  fraternal  relations,"  with  the  remark  that  you 
"know  of  no  reasons  why  it  should  not  be  done,"  it  seems  incumbent  upon  us  to 
call  to  remembrance  that  the  Assembly  we  represent  has,  in  accordance  with  the 
exact  state  of  the  case,  explicitly  recognized  the  fact  that  there  are  "causes"  which 
have  heretofore  prevented  fraternal  relations,  and  that  they  have  appointed  us  to 
enter  fully  into  ctmference  conceriiiug  their  rcnioval.  In  answer,  then,  to  your  pro- 
posal to  establish  such  relations,  without  any  regard  whatever,  as  it  seems,  to  those 
"causes"  preventing  them,  we  arc  obliged  to  say  that  we  find  ourselves  unable  to 
accede  to  it  as  thus  presenteil,  nor  can  we  adojjt  3'our  remark,  that  " '  we  know  of 
no  reasons  why  it  should  not  be  done. " 

We  are  here  brought  to  a  point  where  the  way  is  fully  opened  for  an  exj)Osition 
of  those  things  which  have  debarred  the  Southern  Assembly  from  holding  official 
intercourse  with  the  Assembly  North,  and  of  what  is  deemed  indispensable  for  their 
removal. 

They  may  be  summarily  stated  under  two  heads :  Unjust  and  injurious  accusa- 
tions preferred  ar/ainst  the  irhole  Southern  Prmbytfrian  Church,  and  the  course  pur- 
suhI  in  reijurd  to  church  proiterty. 

I.   Unjust  and  Injurious  Accusations. 

1.  The  charge  that  the  Southern  Assembly  was  organized  in  the  interest  of,  and  to 
subserve  the  ends  of  the  Confed^'rate  Otmrnnient. 

It  is  as  follows : 

"Whereas,  during  the  existence  of  the  gieat  rebellion  which  has  disturbed  the 
peace  and  threatened  the  life  of  the  nation,  a  large  number  of  Presbyteries  and 
Synods  in  the  Southern  States,  whose  names  are  on  the  roll  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly as  constituent  parts  of  this  body,  have  organized  an  Assembly  denominated 
'  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America, '  in  order  to  render 


474  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General,  Assembly.      [Book  VII, 

their  aid  in  the  attempt  to  estabhsh,  by  ineaus  of  the  rebellion,  a  separate  national 
existence  to  conserve  and  perpetuate  the  system  of  slavery ;  therefore, 

"licsohed,  1,  That  this  Assembly  regards  the  civil  rebellion  for  the  perpetuation 
of  negi'o  slavery  as  a  crime  against  our  national  government  and  against  God,  and 
the  secession  of  those  Presbyteries  and  Synods  from  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
under  such  circmustances  and  for  such  reasons,  as  unwarranted,  schismatical  and 
unconstitutional."     (Miniites  of  1865,  p.  560.) 

The  limits  of  this  communication  allow  but  a  brief  answer.  In  the  Address  issued 
by  onr  Assembly  when  it  was  organized — a  paper  intended  carefully  to  declare  its 
position — it  explicitly  affirms  that  this  organization  was  eifected  to  "subserve  the  in- 
terests of  true  religion  ;"  that  the  AssemVjly,  "as  a  spiritual  coiirt, "  should  "know 
neither  the- Confederate  nor  the  United  States;"  that  it  had  not  "mixed  the  issues  of 
this  world  with  those  of  the  kingdom  of  God."  It  solemnly  testifies  that  the  Church 
has  never  been  ' '  entrusted  with  the  organization  of  society,  or  the  construction  of 
governments. "  It  declared  again,  in  186^5,  that  it  was  not  organized  ' '  to  subserve  any 
political  or  secular  purpose  whatsoever. "  Yet,  in  ths  face  of  all  this,  our  Church 
is  charged  with  having  done  the  very  thing  it  solemnly  declares  before  the  whole 
world  it  had  never  done,  and  from  which  it  felt  itself  restrained  by  its  most  sacred 
and  cherished  convictions.  We  can  safely  assert  that  our  separation  from  the 
Northern  Assembly  was  to  escape  these  political  complications. 

2.  A  second  accusation  is  t/iat  the  Southern  Church  had  changed  its  grovnd  on  the 
subject  of  slater y,  so  as  to  hold  opinions  which  were  heretical  and  blasphemous. 

This  charge  is  contained  in  the  extracts  above,  and  is  elsewhere  repeated  again 
and  again  in  varioiis  forms.  It  should  be  observed  that  "perpetuate"  was  never 
used  by  our  Assembly  in  any  such  connection  as  in  the  expression  marked  as  a 
quotation.  It  is  simply  an  interpolation  of  its  accusers.  The  word  "conserve" 
was  used  in  the  Narrative  of  18()i,  but  manifestly  in  the  same  sense  in  which  the 
Assembly  (New  School)  employed  it  the  next  year,  18()5,  when  it  declared  "that 
the  Church  must  conserve  the  state, "  namely,  to  make  the  best  of  existing  institu- 
tions by  supplying  those  living  imder  them  with  the  ministrations  of  the  gospel. 

A  single  extract  from  the  "Address,"  before  refen'ed  to,  will  show  how  imjust  is 
the  allegation  here  made. 

"We  would  have  it  distinctly  understood  that  in  our  ecclesiastical  capacity  we 
are  neither  the  friends  nor  the  foes  of  slavery ;  that  is  to  say,  we  have  no  commis- 
sion either  to  propagate  or  abolish  it.  The  policy  of  its  existence  or  non-existence 
is  a  question  which  exclusively  belongs  to  the  state.  We  have  no  right,  as  a  Church, 
to  enjoin  it  as  a  dutj'  or  to  condemn  it  as  a  sin.  Our  business  is  \nth  the  duties 
that  sining  from  the  relation,  the  duties  of  the  masters  on  the  one  hand,  and  of 
their  slaves  on  the  other.  These  duties  we  are  to  proclaim  and  to  enforce  with 
sijiritual  sanctions.  The  social,  civil,  political  problems  connected  with  this  great 
svibject  transcend  our  sphere,  as  God  has  not  entrusted  to  his  Church  the  organiza- 
tion of  society,  the  construction  of  governments,  nor  the  allotment  of  individuals 
to  their  various  stations." 

We  leave  this  statement  to  speak  for  itself.  It  is  the  ground  on  which  the  ques- 
tion involved  is  placed  by  the  Word  of  God. 

But  certain  opinions  on  the  subject  of  slavery  are  pronounced  "  not  only  heresy, 
but  blasphemy;"  " both  heretical  and  blasphemous;"  and  that  it  was  the  purpose 
of  the  Northern  Assembly  to  fix  the  stigma  of  "heresy"  and  the  horrid  infamy  of 
"blasiDhemy"  upon  our  Chm'chis,  we  regret  to  say,  perfectly  unmistakable.  They 
say,  "Duty  to  the  Head  of  the  Church  forbids  that  the  Assembly  should  compro- 
mise with  heresy  and  sin. "  "They  know  no  scriptural  way  by  which  those  who 
have  gone  out  from  us  proclaiming  heresy  can  be  restored  to  the  bosom  of  the 
Church  \intil  after  recantation."  (See  Minutes  for  1865.  p.  586:  also  for  1866,  pp. 
86,  87.) 

3.  We  notice,  in  the  third  place,  the  charge  of  schism  which  is  made  against  the 
Southern  Church. 

The  resfilutiou  containing  it  has  been  already  quoted.  It  pnmoiuices  our  separ- 
ation from  the  Northern  Assembly  as  ' '  unwarranted,  schismatical,  and  unconsti- 
tutional."  In  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly  of  1865  and  1866,  our  Church  is  con- 
temptuously spoken  of  as  a  "wicked  schism,"  as  "the  schismatical  sect  of  united 
Old  School  and  New  School  Presbyterians  which  has  been  organized  in  the  wide  re- 
gion covered  by  the  lately  rebellious  States."  They  speak  of  "the  wicked  conduct 
of  the  authors  of  that  schism,"  and  of  those  "  sinful  revilings  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  its  acts;"  of  "those  who  organized  this  sinful  schism;"  of  "those  same 
schismatics"  who    "deliberately  resolve  to  p<3rpetuate  the  sectarian  organization 


Sec.  659. 1        Eel.\tions  of  the  Church  with  Othek  Bodies.  475 

thej' had  created;"  that  "the  Presbyterian  Church  has  no  alternative  consistent 
•with  safety,  with  self-respect,  with  the  righteousness  of  its  own  past  conduct,  with 
fidelity  to  Divine  truth  or  Christian  duty,  or  ^^^th  obedience  to  God,  but  to  accept 
the  renunciation  of  these  deluded  men,  to  testify  against  their  sinful  acts,  and  to 
keep  her  skirts  clear  of  their  miserable  doings. '' 

This  accusation  of  "schism"  is  repeated  probablj'  twenty  times  in  various  places. 
Its  violence  lies  upon  its  face,  but  becomes  the  more  aggravated  if  due  weight  is 
given  to  the  following  considerations. 

One  is  the  chunicter  of  the  declaration  made  by  our  Assembly  on  tliis  subject.  At 
the  time  of  organization,  in  1861,  they  speak  in  the  following  mild  and  respectful 
words : 

' '  We  should  be  sorry  to  be  regarded  by  our  brethren  in  any  part  of  the  world  as 
guilty  of  schism.  We  are  not  conscious  of  any  jjurpose  to  rend  the  body  of  Christ. 
On  the  contrary,  our  aim  has  been  to  promote  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds 
of  peace.  If  we  know  our  own  hearts,  and  can  form  any  just  estimate  of  the 
motives  which  have  governed  us,  we  have  been  promjited  by  a  sincere  desire  to 
promote  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  efficiency,  energy,  harmouj',  and  zeal  of  his  visi- 
ble kingdom  in  the  earth.  We  have  separated  from  <jur  brethren  of  the  North  as 
Abraham  separated  from  Lot,  because  we  are  persuaded  that  the  interests  of  true 
religion  will  be  more  effectually  subserved  by  two  independent  churches,  under  the 
circumstances  in  which  the  two  countries  are  placed,  than  by  one  united  body.'' 

' '  For  the  sake  of  peace,  therefore,  for  Christian  charity,  for  the  honor  of  the 
Church,  and  for  the  glory  of  God,  we  have  been  constrained,  as  much  as  in  us 
lies,  to  remove  all  occasion  of  offense.  We  have  cpiietly  sejiarated,  and  we  are 
grateful  to  God  that,  while  leaving  for  the  sake  of  peace,  we  leave  it  with  the  hum- 
ble consciousness  that  we  ourselves  have  never  given  occasion  to  break  the  peace." 
And  miich  more  to  the  same  effect. 

The  other  consideration  is  this,  that  ire  irere  constrained  in  conscience  to  that  sep- 
aration. A  political  theory  was  propounded,  which,  whether  right  or  wrong,  the 
Church  had  no  power  to  decide.  The  true  interpretation  of  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States  as  to  the  kind  of  government  it  was  intended  to  form,  whether  emi- 
nent jm-isdiction,  ultimate  sovereignty,  belongeil  to  the  Federal  or  State  govern- 
ment, was  a  question  on  which  the  most  eminent  statesmen.  North  and  South,  were 
divided  from  the  formation  of  the  constitution.  And  this  was  the  question  which 
the  Assembly  of  18(31  took  upon  itself  to  decide,  and  made  obedience  to  that  de- 
cision a  condition  of  membership  in  the  Church.  The  most  sacred  duty  we  owed 
to  ourselves  and  our  churches,  every  obligation  under  the  sun  forbade  us  to  give 
place  by  subjection  to  those  who  had  thus  "  violated  the  constitution  of  the  Church 
and  usurped  the  prerogative  of  the  Divine  Master.'"  (See  protest  of  Dr.  Uodge 
and  others.) 

The  cause  of  righteousness  and  peace  demanding  it,  we  effected  a  separation  in 
the  most  quiet  manner  possible.  Such  were  the  circumstances ;  and  yet  for  this, 
and  this  alone,  the  accusation  of  "  schism, "' and  in  the  most  offensive  terms,  is 
hurled  after  us,  and  the  ear  of  the  world  has  been  vexed  with  the  outcry.  What 
would  be  thought  now  if  the  churches  of  England  and  Holland  had  landcrtaken  to 
decide  the  political  question  for  their  membei-s  in  this  country  when  the  revolution 
of  1776  came  on,  and  had  followed  disobedience  with  such  a  declaration  as  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  Would  they  have  us  recognize  as  <jood  Preshyteruins  men  whom  our  oicn  (jovern- 
ment,  with  the  approval  of  (  hrisUndom,  may  soon  e.pecute  tis  traitors P  "  (Minutes, 
1861,  page  343.) 

If  there  has  been  any  schism  committed,  we  may  safely  leave  the  determination 
of  its  real  cause  to  the  judgment  of  God  and  of  his  people. 

And  at  this  point  it  is  suitable  to  represent  freely  and  fully  to  the  brethren  of 
your  committee  that  this  kind  of  political  action,  begun  in  ISGI,  and  carried  on  in 
successive  Assemblies  through  1!S66,  constitutes  at  once  a  most  weight}'  grievance 
to  us,  because  much  of  it  was  aimed  at  our  people,  and  constitutes  also  a  serious 
hindrance  to  establishing  fraternal  relations,  because  they  are  lamentaljle  depar- 
tures from  some  of  the  fundamental  principles  laid  down  in  those  noble  standards 
which,  as  you  truly  observe,  we  hold  in  common.  We  must  be  permitted,  in  fidel- 
ity to  our  convictions,  and  to  this  candid  conference,  to  refer  to  some  of  the  many 
examples  by  which  the  truths  of  this  allegation  may  be  \inderstood. 

Repeated  instances  are  found  in  which  the  Assembly  pronounces  what  it  was  the 
duty  of  the  Federal  government  to  do  or  not  to  do,  in  regard  to  great  questions  of 
public  policy,  which  the  Church  has  no  commission  whatever  to  decide. 


476  Digest  or  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

Also  as  to  the  political  rights  of  classes  in  society.  Among  a  large  number  take 
the  following : 

"That  the  colored  man  in  this  country  should  enjoy  the  rights  of  suffrage  in  com- 
mon with  all  other  men  is  but  a  simple  dictate  of  justice. "  This  is  argued  and  re- 
iterated over  two  pages.     (Minutes  of  General  Assembly,  New  School,  1865.) 

They  interpret  political  constitutions.  In  1865,  when  the  Assembly  (Old  School) 
passed  an  order  forbidding  Presbyteries  and  church  sessions  to  receive  as  members 
any  persons  who  had  aided  the  Southern  cause,  unless  they  professed  repentance, 
they  enjoined  upon  them  to  deal  mildly  with  "churches  in  the  bordsr  States,  where 
manj'  impulsive  and  ardent  young  men,  without  due  consideration,  have  been  led 
away  by  their  superiors,  or  seduced  from  their  loyalty  hy  tlieir  erroneous  interpre- 
tation of  the  doctrine  of  State  rights."     (Minutes,  j^p.  562,  563.) 

They  decide  icliat  degree  of  punishment  should  be  inflicted  upon  political  offenses. 
"It  is  necessary  for  the  due  vindication  and  satisfaction  of  national  justice  that  the 
chief  f  omenters  and  representatives  of  the  rebellion  should,  by  due  course  and  pro- 
cess of  law,  be  visited  with  condign  punishment. "  That  is  to  say,  the  Assembly 
decides  they  ought  to  be  hung.      (Minutes,  New  School,  1866. ) 

If  the  Church  of  God  can  [iroperly  handle  such  questions  as  ' '  the  right  of  suf- 
frage" and  the  right  or  "erroneous  doctrine  of  State  rights, "  then  what  possible 
secular  question  does  not  come  within  its  scope  ? 

One  other  example  remains,  and  which  is  simply  mentioned  without  dwelling 
upon  it.  We  refer  to  the  arbitrary  and  oppressive  manner  in  which  the  Synods  of 
Keutucky  and  Missouri,  together  with  their  Presbyteries  and  members,  were  dealt 
with,  as  they  stood  connected  with  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony. 
We  are  the  more  entitled  to  mention  this,  as  these  Synods  thus  dealt  with  are  now 
constituent  parts  of  the  Southern  Church. 

Such  is  a  review  of  this  part  of  the  subject  in  hand. 

That  accusations  such  as  those  which  have  been  broiight  to  your  notice  must  pre- 
sent obstacles  to  fraternal  relations  as  long  as  they  remain  unremoved,  is  too  plain 
to  admit  of  argument.  We  are  obliged  to  declare  that  they  are  an  offense  against 
the  truth,  and  a  perpetual  offense  against  the  rightful  good  name  and  Christian 
honor  of  our  Church.  We  say,  therefore,  in  all  kindness  and  firmness,  that  it  is 
necessary  for  the  end  desired  in  this  conference  that  they  should  be  fairly  removed. 
If  we  have  been  somewhat  slow  to  take  encouragement  as  to  the  probability  of  any 
effectual  measures  for  such  a  happy  result,  we  are  persuaded  yoii  will  readily  make 
due  allowance  when  your  attention  is  called  to  an  emjAatic  declaration  by  each  of 
the  Assemblies  constituting  your  united  body. 

The  Old  School  Assembly  of  1866,  in  review  of  "the  past  live  years,"  approved 
the  following:  "The  General  Assembly  has  nothing  in  the  matter  aforesaid  to 
change,  nothing  to  explain,  nothing  to  modify,  nothing  to  take  back,  nothing  to 
amend  in  any  way,  shape  or  form  whatever,  it  being  needful  only  for  any  one  to 
correct  the  misrepresentations  published  and  indi;striously  circi;lated  concerning 
these  deliverances  and  injunctions,  in  order  clearly  to  vindicate  both  the  moral  and 
ecclesiastical  right  of  the  Assembly  to  enact  the  same."     (Minutes,  p.  89.) 

The  New  School  Assembly  in  1865  said,  "Our  record  as  a  Church  we  commit  to 
the  calm  judgment  of  posterity,  in  the  full  assurance  that  there  is  neither  a  line  nor 
a  word  the  Christian  patriotism  of  the  future  will  desire  to  erase,  not  a  single  senti- 
ment befitting  oiir  relation  to  this  great  confiict  it  wUl  find  unexpressed. " 

It  may  be  hoped,  however,  that  the  excited  passions  of  those  years,  when  so  many 
were  everywhere  "carried  away  as  with  a  flood,"  have  subsided,  and  are  succeeded 
by  calmer  counsels.  And  if  it  is  your  opinion,  brethren,  that  you  can  now  do  any- 
thing ' '  consistent  with  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  Lord  towards  healing  these  divi- 
sions, "  by  lifting  away  the  reproach  which  to  our  apprehension  has  been  cast  upon 
our  Church,  but  which,  being  undeserved,  returned  to  rest  most  deejily  upon  yours, 
be  assured  we  shall  be  ready  and  waiting  to  meet  it  as,  we  trust,  in  the  spirit  of 
Christian  men,  "seeking  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and  things  wherewith 
one  may  edify  another. "  We  may  approjjriately  repeat  here  the  gentle  words  of  our 
Assembly  of  "1870: 

"The  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  can  confidently  appeal  to  all  the  acts  and 
declarations  of  their  Assemblies  that  no  attitude  of  aggression  or  hostility  has  been 
or  is  now  assumed  by  it  towards  the  Northern  Church.  And  this  General  Assem- 
bly distinctly  avows  (as  it  has  always  believed  and  declared)  that  no  grievances  ex- 
perienced by  us,  however  real,  would  justify  us  in  acts  of  aggression,  or  a  spirit  of 
malice  or  retaliation  against  any  branch  of  Christ's  kingdom. " 


Sec.  659.  ]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  477 

The  Concukeent  Declaeation. 

One  part  of  this  general  head  remains  to  be  noticed  briefly.  It  may  be  claimed 
that  the  resolution  of  the  Concurrent  Declaration,  to  which  j'our  Assembly  has  re- 
ferred, and  to  which  you  also  refer  in  your  paper,  has  already  sufficiently  removed 
the  difficulties  which  have  been  mentioned.  We  are  not  able  to  view  it  in  that  light. 
That  resolution,  when  quoted  in  full,  is  in  these  words : 

"The  official  records  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Church,  for  the  period  of  sepa- 
ration, should  be  preserved  and  held  as  making  up  the  one  history  of  the  Church, 
and  }io  rule  or  precedent  which  does  not  stand  ajiproved  by  both  bodies  should  be 
of  any  authority  uutd  re-established  in  the  united  body,  except  in  so  far  as  such 
rule  or  precedent  may  affect  the  rights  of  property  founded  thereon." 

Omitting  other  suggestions  concerning  this  resolution,  it  is  obvious  to  remark : 

Firnt,  That  it  is  manifest  upon  its  face,  and  still  more  by  the  context  throughout 
the  whole  series  of  ten  resolutions,  that  it  was  intended  and  prepared  as  simply  an 
arrangement  between  the  two  churches  when  uniting  in  1870.  It  is,  in  fact,  ex- 
pressly so  declared  in  the  preamble.  Why  seek,  then,  to  apply  it  to  matters  for 
which  it  was  not  prepared,  and  a  case  which  it  does  not  lit  at  all .'     For — 

Second,  Take  the  words  "rule  and  precedent,"  and  apply  them  to  some  of  the 
most  grievous  accusations  and  acts  to  which  attention  has  been  called,  and  then  you 
have  the  ^^navoidable  implication  that,  up  to  1870,  when  we  were  accused  of  "im- 
moralitj' and  sin,"  "heresy,"  "schism,"  and  "blasphemy,"  your  Assembly  had  a 
"rule  and  precedent "  for  the  operation,  and  the  only  benetit  we  can  hope  to  derive 
from  it  is  that  it  is  not  to  be  so  applied  any  more  in  the  future!     But — 

Third,  Be  this  as  it  may,  we  are  obliged  to  say,  though  with  regret,  that  it  would 
be  anything  but  comfortable  to  our  Chiux-h  to  have  grievances  which  strike  so  deep 
adjusted  by  any  indirect  and  inadequate  proceeding  whatsoever.  Siarely  in  seeking 
the  removal  of  causes  which  prevent  fraternal  relations,  it  is  every  way  best  to  go 
straight  to  the  root  of  the  bitter /leas  th((t  troubles. 

Let  us  not  be  understood  as  imputing  to  you  any  consciousness  or  purpose  what- 
ever of  dealing  with  this  matter  in  any  other  than  in  a  manner  worthy  of  its  grave 
importance.  Let  it  be  further  understood  that  should  the  result  of  your  delibera- 
tions be  that  the  views  here  presented  have  a  just  foundation,  all  that  we  desire  is 
that  the  imputations  which  we  conceive  to  be  resting  upon  our  Church  by  the  acts 
of  your  Assembly  should  be  removed;  we  care  not  in  what  terms,  so  the}'  directly 
and  fairly  cover  the  ciise.  Anything  beyond  that  we  should  consider  it  unworthy  of 
the  character  of  a  Christian  gentleman  to  ask  or  accept. 

The  matter  of  church  property  will  be  the  subject  of  an  additional  communica- 
tion. 

By  order  of  the  committee.     Very  respectfully  yours, 

William  Beown,  Chairman. 

II.   Chuech  Pbopeety. 

Baltimore,  Jan.  11th,  1875. 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Chairman  : 

Dear  Sie  :  We  now  proceed  to  notice  the  second  general  cause  preventing  frater- 
nal relations,  namely :   7'he  course  pursued  in  regard  to  church  property. 

Most  of  the  trouble  in  this  matter  is  in  the  States  of  Missouri,  Kentucky,  and  Ten- 
nessee, with  individual  cases  elsewhere.  The  amount  of  property  in  dispute,  or  lia- 
ble to  it,  has  been  estimated  at  not  less  than  two  millions  of  dollars.  Some  cases 
have  been  settled  by  arbitration.  Other  cases  have  been  adjudicated  in  the  civil 
courts,  and  the  property  adjudged  sometimes  to  one  side  and  sometimes  to  the  other, 
not  upon  principles  of  equity,  but  upon  legal  technicalities.  From  the  information 
received  we  are  enabled  to  state  that  our  people  have,  from  the  tirst,  earnestly  en- 
deavored to  settle  the  difficulty  by  compromise  and  arbitration,  but  in  most  instances 
it  has  been  refused,  and  they  have  been  harrassed  with  costly  litigation,  whereby 
have  come  increased  heart-burnings  and  dissensions,  and  no  small  reproach  upon 
the  Christian  name. 

This  state  of  things  cannot  be  contemjilated  with  satisfaction  by  any  who  regard 
the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  "  whatsoever  things  are  lovely  and  of  good  report  " 

And  now,  without  entering  into  a  discussion  concerning  the  decision  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States  in  the  case  of  the  Walnut-Street  church,  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  or  how  far  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  (North)  of  1872,  in  approv- 
ing the  principles  there  laid  down,  was  inconsistent  with  the  action  of  both  the  Old 
and  New  School  Assemblies  in  approving  precisely  the  opposite  principle  laid  down 


478  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekax,  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

by  the  coui'ts  of  Peuusj-lvania,  in  the  controversy  of  1837  and  1839  (see  church  case 
in  Baird's  Digest),  we  here  propose  that  this  whole  matter  shall  be  siibmitted  to  arbi- 
tration on  the  priucijjles  presented  in  the  paper  adopted  by  the  Old  School  Assem- 
bly of  K39,  and  of  which,  for  convenient  reference,  as  well  as  general  information, 
a  copy  is  here  given,  as  follows  (1839,  p.  158) : 

Be  it  resolred,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America : 

1.  That  this  body  considers  itself  and  the  Church  at  large  bound,  as  both  have 
been  not  only  willing,  but  desirous,  to  adjust  all  claims  against  the  corporate  pro- 
perty of  the  Church,  whether  legal  or  equitable,  in  the  most  prompt,  fair  and  liberal 
manner. 

2.  That  this  is  especially  the  case  touching  any  claims  which  may  exist  on  the 
part  of  the  four  Synods  of  Utica,  Geneva,  Genesee,  and  the  Western  Reserve,  de- 
clared in  1837  to  be  no  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiirch,  or  on  the  part  of  those 
who  seceded  from  the  Church  in  183H,  or  on  the  part  of  any  body  constituted 
out  of  the  whole  or  any  part  of  these  elements.  And  that,  in  regard  to  all  and 
each  of  these  bodies  and  persons,  the  Assembly  will  faithfullj'  adhere  to  any 
pledge  or  promise,  exjiress  or  implied,  which  it  can  ji^stlj'  be  construed  ever  to 
have  made,  and  will  fultil  every  expectation  which  it  ever  knowingly  allowed  to  be 
cherished. 

3  The  trustees  of  the  Assembly  are  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  do,  on  the 
part  of  this  Assembly,  should  occasion  offer,  whatever  is  lawful,  competent,  and 
equitable  in  the  premises,  conformable  to  the  jDrinciples,  and  in  the  manner  hereto- 
fore laid  down  in  the  Minutes  of  this  Assembly  for  1837  and  1838,  so  far  as  relates 
to  the  corporate  property  of  the  Church,  or  any  equities  springing  out  of  the  same. 

1.  With  reference  to  all  institutions,  corporations,  congregations,  and  other  pub- 
lic persons  or  bodies  in  connection  with  us,  but  holding  projjerty  for  ecclesiastical 
purposes,  or  for  religious  and  benevolent  uses,  which  property  is  not  subject  to  the 
control  of  the  Assembly,  althoiigh  the  said  persons,  institutions,  or  congregations 
may  be,  in  all  such  cases  where  difficulties  relating  to  property  have  arisen  or  shall 
arise,  in  consequence  of  the  long  and  painful  disorders  and  divisions  in  our  Church, 
we  advise  all  our  members  and  friends  to  act  on  the  general  principles  heretofore 
laid  down,  and  with  the  spirit  of  candor,  forbearance,  and  equity  which  has  dic- 
tated this  act. 

5.  The  Assembly  reiterates  the  declaration,  that  its  chief  desire,  in  all  this  part 
of  our  Church  troubles,  is  to  do  even  and  ready  justice  to  and  between  all  jjersons 
and  interests  over  which  it  has  any  control,  or  in  regard  to  which  it  has  any  duty 
to  perform.     (Baird's  Digest,  p.  800.) 

In  accordance  with  the  excellent  Christian  spirit  of  this  paper,  we  propose  that  a 
plan  shall  be  now  arranged  by  which,  so  far  as  possible,  all  matters  of  church  pro- 
perty that  are  in  dispute,  or  that  have  not  been  adjudicated  or  otherwise  settled 
satisfactorily  to  both  parties,  and  all  claims  to  property  of  any  kind,  shall  be  settled 
by  arbitration,  ujjon  principles  of  equity  and  fair  dealing,  as  becpmeth  Christians. 

Should  this  proposal  be  such  as  you  approve,  we  suggest  that  the  details  may  be 
most  satisfactorily  arranged  after  an  oral  conference  between  the  two  committees. 

By  order  of  the  committee.     Yours  very  tnaly,  William  Bkown. 

fNo.  4.; 
Feanklin-Stkeet  Presbyterian  Church, 

Baltimore,  Md.,  Janwvry  10,  1875. 
Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D.  : 

Dear  Brother  :  We  have  carefully  considered  your  communication  of  January 
9th,  declining  our  proposal  to  recommend  to  our  respective  Assemblies  the  inter- 
change of  delegates  as  between  corresponding  bodies.  Your  refusal  to  accept  and 
return  courtesies,  which,  as  you  properly  observe,  are  quite  common  between  dif- 
ferent Christian  denominations,  and  especially  between  different  bodies  of  Presby- 
terians, seems  to  us,  as  it  does  to  yon,  to  require  a  full  vindication  (m  your  part; 
and  we  recognize  the  frankness  with  which  you  have  stated  your  reasons  for  that 
refusal. 

Our  committee  regret  that  you  do  not  see  your  way  clear  to  join  with  us  in  the 
projjosed  recommendation,  and  we  cannot  but  think  that  there  is  some  misunder- 
standing on  your  part  of  the  action  of  our  Assembly  which  leads  you  to  close  the 
door  on  this  lirst  and  simplest  step  towards  the  establishment  of  fraternal  relations. 
In  examining  the  reasons  bj'  which  you  justify  your  refusal,  we  find  them  to  consist 
of  two  kinds — 


Sec.  651).]         Fel.\tioks  of  the  Chtiu'h  with  Other  Bodies.  479 

I.  You  adduce  certain  acts  and  deliverances  of  both  these  Old  School  and  New 
School  Assemblies  at  the  North,  prior  to  the  nuiou  of  the  bodies  in  1870,  which,  in 
your  judgment,  are  unconstitutional  and  inconsistent  with  the  proper  functions  of 
ecclesiastical  assemblies.  With  reference  to  these  deliverances  and  expressions  of 
opinion,  made  well  ni^'h  ten  years  ago,  and  under  peculiar  circumstances,  we  can- 
not see  how  they  are  to  affect  our  projxjsed  relations  as  corresponding  bodies.  If 
we  were  negotiating  with  reference  to  organic  union,  we  admit  that  the  case  would  be 
different;  but,  in  proposing  smiply  fraternal  relations,  we  cannot  for  a  moment 
consent  that  another  body  shall  tell  us  how  we  should  interpret  our  constitution,  or 
that  it  shall  sit  in  judgment  upon  our  action  with  reference  to  our  own  people. 
We  claim  the  right  to  mterpret  our  own  constitution,  and  we  freely  concede  a  simi- 
lar right  to  you.  If  by  our  expressions  of  opinion,  with  regard  to  the  state  and 
the  duties  of  citizens  in  times  of  war,  we  have  made,  as  you  affirm,  "lamentable 
departures  from  some  of  the  fuiadamental  principle^  laid  down  in  those  noble  stand- 
ards which  we  hold  in  common,"  it  would  be  easy  for  us,  were  we  so  disposed,  to 
find  on  your  records  expressions  of  opinion  ojien  to  the  same  objections.  If,  then, 
mistakes  were  made  in  this  matter,  they  belong  to  both  sides;  and,  as  our  earnest 
desire  is  to  forget  and  forgive  in  the  spirit  (jf  our  Master,  we  ask  the  same  charity 
in  return.  Though  some  of  your  actions  were  displeasing  to  us,  we  bring  no  accu- 
sations, nor  do  we  ask,  as  a  condition  for  fraternal  relations,  that  you  should  alter 
your  opinions  and  deliverances  expressed  in  the  same  peculiar  times  and  circum- 
stances.    For  ourselves  we  claim  no  infallibility,  either  for  the  past  or  the  future. 

The  interchange  of  delegates,  as  we  understand  it,  is  a  simple  recognition  of  the 
Ohristian  character  and  good  standing  of  those  to  whom  such  delegates  are  sent. 
It  does  not  involve  the  mutual  approbation  of  all  the  doings  of  the  corresponding 
bodies.  For  example,  when  both  your  Assembly  and  ours  entered  into  correspon- 
dence with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  we  were  very  far  from  endorsing 
either  their  acts  or  the  teachings  of  their  doctrinal  standards.  Still  less  did  we 
undertake  to  review  the  history  and  deliverances  of  a  body  which  we  were  about  to 
recognize  as  an  independent  orginization  of  God's  i)eople. 

Again,  the  solemn  declaration  of  your  own  Assembly  plainly  shows  that  even  the 
most  obnoxious  of  the  so-called  violations  of  oiir  constitution  should  not  stand  as  a 
barrier  to  the  projiosed  fraternal  relations.  In  the  "Address  to  all  the  Churches 
of  Jesus  Christ  throughout  the  Earth, "  unanimously  adojjted  by  your  first  Assembly 
in  1861,  you  say,  "  We  frankly  admit  that  the  mere  unconstitutionality  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  last  Assembly  (meaning  the  Assembly  that  met  in  Phdadelphia  in 
1861)  is  not  in  itself  considered  a  sufficient  ground  of  separation, ''  If,  then,  such 
action  would  not  justify  you  in  establishing  a  separate  Church,  we  are  at  a  loss  to 
see  how  it  justifies  you  in  refusing  our  offer  of  fraternal  correspondence. 

If  it  were  competent  for  our  committee  to  discuss  with  you  these  so-called  ' '  polit- 
ical deliverances, "  we  might  define  the  present  position  of  our  Church  by  referring 
you  to  the  "Concurrent  Declaration,"  and  to  the  recent  action  of  our  Assembly  at 
St.  Louis,  which  is  as  follows : 

Memorial  or  ItE\.  Dk.  Beookes,  etc. 
To  the  Moderator  of  the  Geaernl  Assembli/  of  tJie  Presbyterian  Church  in  th«  United 
States  of  America,  in  semon  at  St.  Louis,  May,  1874  : 

At  a  recent  conference  of  a  few  Presbyterians  connected  with  the  Old  School 
Synod  of  Missouri,  commonly  called  the  Declaration  and  Testimony  Synod,  the 
undersigned  were  directed  to  lay  before  the  venerable  body  over  which  you  preside 
the  following  statement  of  facts: 

"In  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-five,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  then  known  as  the  Old  School,  during  its  sessions  in  the  city  of 
Pittsburg,  took  certain  action  in  relation  to  the  examination  of  all  persons  coming 
from  the  Southern  States,  who  might  apply  for  admission  into  any  of  the  Presby- 
teries or  churches  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General  Assembly ;  certain  action 
in  relation  to  the  qualifications  of  ministers  who  might  apply  for  aid  to  the  Board 
t)f  Domestic  Missions;  and  certain  other  action  growing  out  of  the  civil  war.  This 
led  to  the  preparation  and  publication  of  a  pamphlet,  entitled  a  'Declaration  and 
Testimony,'  which  was  designed  to  be,  and  was,  in  fact,  a  vigorous  and  earnest 
protest  against  all  the  acts  of  the  As.sembly  during  the  war,  touching  the  condition 
of  the  country,  except  such  as  were  clearly  sustained  by  the  Word  of  God. 

"The  pamphlet  was  formally  adoi)ted  by  the  Presbyt-ery  of  Louisville,  as  an  ex- 
pression of  its  views  and  purposes,  and  was  signed  by  a  large  number  of  ministers 
and  ruling  elders,  principally  in  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri. 


480  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

' '  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty -six,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  (Old  School)  met  in  St.  Louis,  and  commenced  its  sessions  by  ex- 
cluding from  their  seats  in  the  body  the  commistdoners  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louis- 
ville. This  was  followed  by  a  stormy  debate,  continued  for  several  days,  and  re- 
sulting at  length  in  the  atlopting  of  a  paper  which  condemned  'the  iJeclaration 
and  Testimony'  as  a  slander  against  the  Church,  schismatical  m  its  character  and 
aims,  and  its  adoption  by  any  of  our  church  courts  as  an  act  of  rebelHou  against 
the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly.  It  was  farther  resolved,  'that  the  signers 
of  the  Declaration  and  Testimony,  and  the  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louis- 
ville who  voted  to  adopt  that  jiaper,  be  summoned,  and  they  are  hereby  summoned, 
to  appear  before  the  next  General  Assembly,  to  answer  for  what  they  have  done  in 
this  matter,  and  that  until  this  case  is  decided,  they  shall  not  be  ijermitted  to  sit  as 
members  of  any  church  court  higher  than  the  session.'  It  was  further  resolved. 
'  that  if  any  Presbytery  shall  disregard  this  action  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  at 
any  meeting  shall  enroll,  as  entitled  to  a  seat  or  seats  in  the  body,  one  or  more  of 
the  persons  designated  in  the  preceding  resolutions  and  summoned  to  appear  before 
the  next  General  Assembly,  then  that  Presbytery  shall  ipso  fiicto  be  dissolved;'  and 
it  was  still  further  ordered,  '  that  Synods,  at  their  next  stated  meetings,  in  making 
up  their  rolls,  shall  be  guided  and  governed  by  this  action  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. ' 

' '  Such,  in  brief,  were  the  causes  which  led  to  the  division  of  the  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri in  18G6 ;  and  since  that  time  there  have  been  two  Synods  in  the  State,  each 
with  the  same  number  of  Presbyteries,  with  almost  the  same  number  of  communi- 
cants, and  occupying  precisely  the  same  territory.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the 
interests  of  Christ's  cause  and  kingdom,  so  far  as  committed  to  the  care  of  Presby- 
terians, have  greatly  suffered  by  the  separation  and  its  subsequent  strifes. 

"The  Presbyteries  comiDosing  the  Declaration  and  Testiinonj^  Synod  have  re- 
cently determined,  by  a  decided  majority  of  all  the  votes  given,  to  send  commis- 
sioners to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
now  in  session  at  Columbus,  Mississippi.  But  a  number  of  congregations  con- 
nected with  this  Synod,  partly  by  reason  of  their  unwillingness  to  abandon  the 
position  they  have  consistently  and  steadfastly  maintained;  partly  by  reason  of 
their  desire  to  avoid  even  the  appearance  of  being  controlled  by  i^olitical  prejudices 
and  sectional  sympathies;  jjartly  by  reason  of  their  confidence  in  the  soundness 
and  piety  and  magnanimity  of  the  great  bodj'  of  their  Northern  brethren ;  partly 
by  reason  of  the  conviction  that  they  cannot  so  successfully  prosecute  the  work  of 
the  Lord  in  organic  union  with  their  Southern  brethren ;  partly  by  reason  of  their 
readiness  to  be  used  in  any  hmnble  measure  towards  healing  the  divisions  that  have 
rent  our  beloved  Church,  remain  for  the  time  practically  independent;  and  they 
are  anxiously  awaiting  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  in  St.  Louis  before  finally 
settling  the  question  of  their  future  ecclesiastical  relations. 

"We  are  therefore  instructed  to  enunciate  distinctly  and  frankly  the  principles 
held  by  those  whom  we  rejiresent ;  and  if,  as  we  believe,  the  same  principles  are 
held  by  the  General  Assembly,  there  is  nothing,  that  is  ajsparent  at  least,  to  pre- 
vent those  closer  and  more  fraternal  relations  which  we  long  to  see  securely  and 
permanently  established  on  a  basis  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

"First,  We  strenuously  hold  to  the  plenary  insiDiration  of  the  Word  of  God  as 
contained  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments ;  and  because  we  fear 
that  there  is  a  growing  laxity  of  sentiment  with  regard  to  this  absolutely  vital  truth 
in  many  denominations  of  Christians  throughout  the  laud,  we  deem  it  opjjortune 
to  bear  clear  and  unequivocal  testimony  that  '  all  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration 
of  God,'  and  to  condemn  in  no  uncertain  terms  every  attempt  to  'add  unto  these 
things '  which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  caused  to  be  written,  or  to  '  take  away  from  the 
wortls  of  the  book, '  as  it  has  been  handed  down  to  us  from  the  days  of  the  apostles ; 
so  that  we  do  not  hesitate  to  denounce  all  objections  to  any  portion  of  the  blessed 
Bible  as  '])rofaiie  and  vain  babbling,  and  ojDpositions  of  science  falsely  so-called.' 

"Second,  We  cling  with  increasing  attachment  to  the  system  of  doctrine  set  forth 
in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  in  the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms,  framed  and 
adojjted  by  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  divines;  and  we  cordially  assent  to  the 
Form  of  Government  and  the  Book  of  Disciijline  in  use  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  the  United  States  of  America. 

"  Third,  Painful  experience  of  the  effect  of  utterances  by  so  many  of  our  eccle- 
siastical judicatories,  touching  political,  secular,  and  merely  humanitarian  topics 
and  measures,  leads  us  to  emphasize  the  following  statements  in  our  standards,  a 
rigid  adherence  to  which  is,  in  our  judgment,  the  only  safeguard  against  the  re- 


Sec.  659.]         Kelations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  481 

currence  of  discussion  in  the  Chi;rch:  1.  'God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and 
hath  left  it  free  from  the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  any- 
thing contrary  to  his  Word,  or  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship'  (Confession 
of  Faith,  Chap.  XX.,  Sec.  II.).  2.  'There  is  none  other  head  of  the  Church  but 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ'  (Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXV.,  Sec.  VI.).  3.  Synods 
and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which  is  ecclesiastical;  and 
are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs  which  concern  the  commonwealth,  unless 
by  way  of  humble  petition  in  cases  extraordinary ;  bj'  way  of  advice  for  satisfaction 
of  conscience,  if  they  be  thereunto  required  by  the  civil  magistrate '  (Confession  of 
Faith,  Chap.  XX XL,  Sec  IV.).  4.  'AH  church  power,  whether  exercised  by  the 
body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of  representation  by  delegated  authority,  is  only 
ministerial  and  declarative ;  th'it  ix  to  say,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  oulj'  rule 
ol:  faith  and  manners;  that  no  church  judicatory  ought  to  pretend  to  make  laws  to 
bind  the  conscience  in  virtue  of  their  own  authority;  and  that  aM  their  decisions 
should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will  of  (xod '  (Form  of  (lovernment.  Chap.  I., 
Sec.  VII.). 

'•In  a(ldition  to  the  foregoing  statements,  we  respectfullj'^  call  attention  to  the 
form  of  commission  put  into  the  hands  of  every  minister  and  every  ruling  elder 
representing  the  Presbyteries  in  the  (General  Assembly,  requiring  them  'to  consult, 
vote,  and  determine  in  all  things  that  may  come  before  that  body,  according  to  the 
principles  and  constitution  of  this  ('hurch  and  the  Word  of  God '  (Form  of  Govern- 
ment, Chap.  XXII.,  Sec.  II.).  If,  thei-efore,  our  church  courts  will  recognize  their 
obligation  to  consult,  vote,  and  determine,  on  all  things  coming  before  them,  only 
'  according  to  the  principles  and  constitution  of  this  Church  and  the  Word  of  God, ' 
there  can  be  no  occasion  for  strife  and  separation,  because  no  subject  of  a  secular 
character  will  be  entertained,  and  no  subject  with  moral  bearings  and  results  will 
be  carried  beyond  the  plain  and  uncjuestJoncd  testimonies  and  directions  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures. ' 

''  F»iirt/i,  We  hol.l  that  the  General  Assembly  is  no  less  bound  to  obey  the  re- 
quirements aud  observe  the  rules  of  procedure  laid  down  in  the  constitution  of  the 
Church  than  the  humblest  member  of  the  body  of  Christ;  and  no  alleged  act  of  in- 
subordination against  the  authority  of  the  highest  ecclesiastical  council,  and  no  de- 
mand of  jiopular  indignation,  will  justify  an  exercise  of  power  for  which  there  is 
not  explicit  provision  in  this  constitution. 

'^  Ftftli,  Holding,  as  we  do,  the  purely  spiritual  and  non-political  nature  of  the 
calling  aud  work  of  the  Church,  as  separate  from  the  kingdom  of  this  world,  and 
believing  that  ecclesiastical  judicatories  have  a  right  to  speak  only  what  our  Lord 
has  sijoken,  and  to  legislate  only  where  he  has  legislated,  of  course  we  claim  that 
all  actions  and  assertions  of  these  judicatories  which  are  in  anything  contrary  to 
the  written  \\'ord,  ov  beside  it  in  matters  of  faith  and  worship),  even  though  sus- 
tained by  the  decisions  of  all  the  civil  tribunals  and  all  the  governments  of  the 
earth,  are  null  and  void,  and  of  no  binding  force.  That  this  venerable  Assembly 
may  be  guided  in  all  its  deliberations  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  that  its  present  session 
shall  be  abundantly  owned  of  the  Lord  to  the  manifestation  of  his  glory,  in  the 
purity,  peace,  and  prosperity  of  the  Church,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of 

Your  obedient  servants  in  him,  James  H.  Brookes, 

John  F.  Philips, 
William  Chrisman.  " 

The  following  answer  was  recommended  by  the  committee : 

"Whereas,  certain  brethren  belonging  to  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Synod  of 
Missouri  have  overtured  this  Assembly,  stating  their  principles  regarding  the  plen- 
ary inspiration  of  the  Scriptures  and  the  projier  jurisdiction  of  church  courts  in 
things  ecclesiastical  only,  and  in  these  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  together  with 
their  tirm  adherence  to  our  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms,  Form  of  Government, 
and  Book  of  Discipline;  be  it  ~ 

"  JiiHolcrd,  That  this  Assembly  cordially  accept  this  overture  as  exhibiting  the 
principles  of  the  Presbyterian  (-hurch  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  con- 
sider all  actions  of  the  Church  in  the  past,  if  any,  which  may  have  been  done  con- 
trary to  these  principles,  to  be  null  and  void." 

II.  Another  class  of  your  grievances  which  you  urge  as  a  barrier  to  correspon- 
dence has  reference  to  certain  acts  of  former  Assemblies  of  our  Church  concerning 
the  Assembly  and  the  body  of  (.Christians  which  you  represent.  These,  we  admit, 
are  of  such  a  character  that  they  ought  to  be  fully  and  fairly  considered  in  our  ne- 
gotiations for  closer  and  more  fraternal  relations.  We  are  glad  that  now,  after 
four  yeare  of  effort  in  this  direction,  we  have  received  from  jou  an  official  state- 

31 


482  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

ment  of  these  grievances,  and  have  this  opportunity  to  return  an  official  answer. 
Were  it  true  that  we  regard  you  as  a  "ch\irch  organized  in  the  interest  of  rebellion, 
and  to  conserve  <and  perpetuate  the  interests  of  slavery" — did  we  believe  that  you 
hold  opinions  "heretical  and  blasphemous,"—  there  would  ii^deed  be  an  insuperable 
barrier  to  closer  relations.  The  self-respect  of  the  venerable  body  we  represent 
would  have  prevented  the  appointment  of  our  committee.  But  when  we  affirmed 
that  we  did  not  know  of  any  reason  why  the  proposed  relation  of  corresponding 
bodies  should  not  be  agreetl  to,  it  was  not  because  we  were  imaware  that  such  ex- 
pressions and  actions  as  you  quote  from  our  records  were  to  be  found  there,  but 
because  we  knew  that  all  such  action  concerning  your  Church  had  been,  in  the 
most  positive  and  comprehensive  language  declared  "null  and  void,  and  therefore 
of  no  binding  effect,  and  not  to  be  pleaded  as  precedent  in  the  future ;"  and  fur- 
thermore, that  our  Assembly  had  declared  its  ' '  contidence  in  the  soundness  of  doc- 
trine and  in  the  Christian  character"  of  those  who  compose  your  communion.  This 
deliberate  and  imanimous  action  of  our  Assembly  was,  as  you  are  aware,  the  one 
by  which  this  committee  of  conference  was  appointed.  With  reg.ird  to  the  wisdom 
and  righteousness  of  the  declarations  of  which  you  complain,  we  as  a  committee 
have  nothing  to  say,  nor  does  our  appointment  authorize  us  to  sit  in  judgment  upon 
them.  They  were  made  in  peculiar  times,  and  under  strange  and  exciting  circiim- 
stances,  when  the  passions  and  feelings  of  men  were  profoundly  moved.  Thej'  now 
belong  to  history,  and  it  is  idle  to  talk  of  erasing  them.  But  we  are  aiithorized  to 
assure  you  that  these  actions  and  deliverances  are  not  law,  or  rule,  or  precedent 
in  our  Church;  and  in  giving  you  this  assurance  we  cannot  j^resent  it  in  a  stronger 
way  than  to  record  the  action  of  our  Assembly  through  a  series  of  years.  To  this 
end  we  desire  to  Ctdl  your  attention  to  the  facts  as  thej'  appear  on  our  official  records. 

First,  The  General  Assemblies  representing  the  bodies  familiarly  known  as  the 
Old  and  New  School,  when  meeting,  for  the  last  time  prior  to  their  union,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  May,  1869,  did,  among  others,  make  the  following  '■'Concur- 
rent Declaration" :  That  no  rule  or  precedent  which  does  not  stand  approved  by 
both  bodies  shall  be  of  any  authority  in  the  re-united  bodj%  except  in  so  far  as  such 
rule  or  precedent  may  affect  the  rights  of  projjerty  founded  thereon. " 

Thiis,  by  this  comprehensive  declaration,  the  deliverances  of  which  you  complain 
were  stripjied  of  all  jDossible  authority  in  the  re-united  body.  And  the  fact  is  well 
known  to  us  that,  while  the  scope  of  this  declaration  is  wide  enough  to  include 
much  more,  it  was  in  an  especial  manner  intended  to  do  away  with  the  deliverances 
concerning  the  Southern  Church  now  complained  of,  and  to  afford  an  opportunity 
to  all  Presbyterians,  without  any  hindrance  from  the  actions  of  the  past,  to  unite 
together  in  closer  fraternal  relations. 

Second,  The  "  Concurrent  Declaration"  above  (juoted  was  le-affirmed  and  adopted 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  re-united  Church  at  its  tirst  session,  held  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1870,  as  part  of  the  following  resolutions,  and  with  special 
emphasis  directed  to  the  very  ground  of  complaint  now  referred  to. 

Assembly  of  1870. 

Whereas,  This  General  Asseml)l}'  believes  that  the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of 
our  Lord  throughout  our  entire  country  will  be  greatly  promoted  by  healing  all 
unnecessary  divisions ; 

Whereas,  This  General  Assembly  desires  the  speedy  establishment  of  cordial  fra- 
ternal relations  with  the  body  known  as  the  ' '  Southern  Presbyterian  Church, "  on 
terms  of  mutual  confidence,  respect,  Christian  honor,  and  love ; 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  terms  of  re-nuion  between  the  two  branches  of  the 
Presbyterian  Churc^h  at  the  North,  now  so  happily  consummiited,  present  an  aus- 
picious opportunity  for  the  adjustment  of  such  relations;  therefore,  be  it  — 

Resolved,  1,  That  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and  four  elders  be  appointed  by 
this  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  it  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Assembly  now  in  sessitm  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  respect  to  opening  a 
friendly  correspondence  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches, 
and  that  the  result  of  such  ccmfereuce  be  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1871. 

licHdlced,  '2,  That  with  a  view  to  the  furtherance  of  the  object  contemplated  in 
the  appointment  of  said  committee,  this  Assembly  hereby  re-affirms  the  "Concur- 
rent Declaration"  of  the  two  Assemblies  which  met  in  the  city  of  New  York  last 
year,  viz. : 

' '  That  no  rule  or  precedent  which  does  not  stand  approved  by  both  bodies  shall 
be  of  any  authority  in  the  re-united  body,  excejit  in  so  far  as  such  rule  or  precedent 
may  affect  the  rights  of  property  founded  thereon. " 


Skc.  659.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  483 

JieMtilrcd,  3,  That  two  ministers  aud  one  elder  of  the  committee  appointed  by  this 
Assembly  be  desi<^ated  as  delegates  to  convey  to  the  Assembly  now  in  session  in 
Louisville.  Ky.,  a  coijy  of  these  resolutions,  with  our  Christian  salutations. 

Assembly  of  1873. 

Third,  The  General  Assembly  which  met  in  the  citj'  of  Baltimore  in  May,  1873, 
not  content  with  the  broad  and  positive  statements  of  the  "Concurrent  Declara- 
tion "  as  herein  before  stated,  did  adopt  the  following  resoluti(jns,  declaring  all  pre- 
vious action  uo'.v  complained  of  to  be  of  no  eft't(t  \^hiit.n'er,  in  language  than  which 
none  stronger  can  be  cmployeil: 

"The  General  Assembly,  deploring  the  divisions  that  have  occurred,  and  that 
continue,  among  Presbyterians  in  the  United  States  of  America,  <ind  earnestly  de- 
siring to  do  whatever  is  consistent  with  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  Lord  toward  healing 
these  divisions;  aud  furthermore,  having  good  reason  to  hope  that  the  action  con- 
templated in  the  following  paper  will  promote  and  secure  this  happy  result,  do 
st)lemuly  declare, 

FivHt,  That,  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  unanimously  adopted  hy  each  of  the 
two  bodies  now  constituting  the  re-nuited  Church,  all  action  toiiching  the  brethren 
adhering  to  the  body  popularly  known  as  the  Southern  General  Assembly,  together 
with  all  action  touching  the  brethren  adhering  to  the  body  known  as  the  Old  School 
Synod  of  Missouri,  has  been  since  the  re-union,  and  is  now,  null  and  void,  and 
therefore  of  no  binding  effect,  aud  not  to  be  pleaded  as  a  precedent  in  the  future. 

Sirond,  The  Assembly  also  express  contidence  in  the  soundness  of  doctrine  and 
in  the  Chi'istian  character  of  these  l)rethreu,  and  cannot  doubt  that  a  more  intimate 
communion  would  lead  to  the  speedy  removal  of  the  barriers  that  now  separate 
those  of  like  precious  faith,  to  increased  mutual  affection  and  esteem,  and  to  a  prac- 
tical manifestation  of  oneness  in  Christ. 

Third,  With  regard  to  the  civil  magistrate,  and  the  relation  of  church  and  state, 
the  Assembly  deem  it  sufficient  to  call  attention  to  the  following  statements  an(l 
principles,  found  in  our  standards,  to-wit: 

(1,)  "Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which  is 
ecclesiastical;  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil  affairs  which  concern  the  com- 
monwealth, unless  by  way  of  humble  petition  in  cases  extraordinary ;  or  by  way  of 
advice  for  satisfaction  of  conscience,  if  they  be  thereunto  required  bj'  the  civil 
magistrate."     (Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXI.,  Sec.  IV.) 

(2,)  "That  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the 
doctrines  aud  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  anything  contrary  to  his  Word, 
or  beside  it  in  matttis  of  faith  or  worship."  "That  all  church  power,  whether 
exercised  by  the  body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of  representation  by  delegated  au- 
thority, is  only  ministerial  and  declarative;  that  in  to  sni/,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures 
are  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  mauners;  that  no  church  judicatory  ought  to  pretend 
to  make  laws  to  bind  the  conscience  in  virtue  of  their  own  authority;  and  that  all 
their  decisions  should  be  founded  upon  the  revealed  will  of  God."  (Form  of  Gov- 
ernment, Chap.  I.,  Sees.  I.  and  VII.) 

Fourth,  For  the  juirpose  of  caiTying  out  the  spirit  of  the  foregoing  resolutions, 
the  Assembly  will  appoint  two  committees  to  confer  with  similar  committees,  if  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States. 
and  by  the  Old  School  Synod  of  Missouri,  to  seek  closer  and  more  fraternal  relations 
with  these  bodies. 

We  can  add  iu)thing  to  the  force  of  these  direct  and  simple  [utterances  by  com- 
ment or  argument.  They  were  made  in  sincerity  and  in  the  earnest  desire  to  re- 
move the  cause  of  alienation  and  to  restore  peace.  We  may  be  pardoned  if  we  re- 
mind you,  our  Presbyterian  brethren,  that  it  is  not  the  custom  of  Presbyterians  to 
make  uttoranc(>s  of  uncertain  meaning,  and  that  the  simplicity,  the  breadth,  and 
the  forci-  t)f  .what  our  General  Assembly  has  so  repeatedly  affirmed  challenges  for 
its  perfect  candor  the  respectful  confidence,  in  its  full  meaning,  of  all  who  truly 
bear  that  name 

And  now,  in  view  of  the  foregoing  statements,  in  which  our  committee  are  unani- 
mous, we  feel  warranted  in  repeating  with  emphasis  that  we  know  of  no  reason  why 
our  proposal  ior  the  interchange  of  delegates,  as  between  corresponding  bodies, 
should  not  be  accepted  by  you.  And  we  feel  constrained  to  add  that  we  see  weighty 
reasons  why  it  should  be  done.  As  we  stated  in  our  former  communication,  we  pro- 
I)ose  the  interchange  of  delegates,  not  as  a  mere  formal  act  of  courtesy,  but  as  the 
proper  inauguration  of  mejisures,  which,  we  trust,  will  be  adopted  by  the  two  As- 
semblies for  their  mutual  benefit  and  for  the  furtherance  of  their  common  interests 


484  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

in  the  cause  of  Christ.  We  are  readj".  so  soon  as  this  first  proposal  shall  be  accepted 
by  you,  as  we  still  hope  it  will  be,  to  submit  other  overtures  looking  to  the  speedy 
settlement  of  all  coutroversies  between  us  touching  church  projjerty,  the  adjust- 
ment of  our  labors  in  missionary  fields,  which  Providence  has  given  to  our  joint 
possession,  and  to  such  co-operation  in  the  great  work  of  evangelization  as  may  not 
be  inconsistent  with  the  integrity  of  two  bodies  of  Christians  holding  the  same 
standards  of  doctrine  and  ecclesiastical  order.      Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  ('luiirman. 

No  5. 

BAI.TIMOEE,  Janwiry  Vdth,  1875. 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Chairnian  of  Comiivittee  of  Conference : 

Dear  Sie  :  The  reception  of  the  paper  from  your  committee,  of  date  January  11th, 
is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  I  am  instructed  to  place  in  your  hands  the  following 
answer  to  the  same : 

1.  You  speak  of  a  i^roposal  for  an  "interchange  of  delegates,"  and  of  a  refusal 
on  our  part  to  agree  to  this ;  that  we  ' '  close  the  door  on  this  first  and  simplest  step 
toinards  the  establishment  of  fraternal  relations. "  This  is  a  misapprehension.  An 
"interchange  of  delegates,  as  between  corresponding  bodies,"  has  always  been  re- 
cognized as  the  most  manifest  symbol,  the  most  visible  consummation,  the  most 
complete  evidence  of  such  relations  <fier  they  liave  been  estdhUalted;  you  propose  that 
it  shall  now  be  turned  into  a  sign  beforehand,  that  such  relations  may  he  established. 
The  decisive  objection,  then,  to  your  proposal  is  that  it  would  arrange  this  whole 
proceeding  exactly  wrong  end  foremost  Our  conception  of  this  conference  is  that 
we  are  to  endeavor  to  establish  good  relations  by  removing  the  hindrances;  yours, 
that  they  are  already  removed,  and  are  to  be  disregarded. 

2.  You  misapprehend  our  remarks  concerning  certain  political  declarations. 
When  you  say  that  ' '  if  we  were  negotiating  with  reference  to  organic  union  the 
case  would  be  different  "  (that  is,  from  a  proi^osal  for  official  correspondence  only), 
we  thoroughly  agree  with  you ;  for  then  these,  and  indeed  other  grave  matters, 
some  of  which  seem  to  be  irremovable,  would  present  an  insuperable  obstacle.  But 
as  this  relates  to  a  correspondence  only,  you  think  our  criticism  out  of  place.  You 
will  observe,  however,  that  these  remarks  occur  in  reference  to  the  charge  of 
"schism  "  made  against  our  Church  by  your  Assembly.  We  pronounce  that  charge 
all  the  more  offensive  because  we  were  constrained  in  conscience  to  separate  on  ac- 
count of  the  action  of  the  Old  School  Assembly  of  1861  deciding  a  purely  political 
question,  and  making  compliance  by  our  people  a  condition  of  good  standing  in  the 
Church.  It  is  at  this  point  that  reference  is  made  to  your  political  enactments  and 
opinions,  partly  "  because  much  of  it  was  aimed  at  our  people,"  and  all  of  it  was 
enacted  while  that  Assemblj'  still  held  us  on  their  roll  as  a  part  of  their  own  body. 
Biit  we  have  not  said  that  we  refuse  fraternal  relations  for  these  causes,  or  that  they 
are  an  insuperable  obstacle.  We  say  they  constitute  a  ' '  serious  hindrance. "  By 
this  statement  we  abide.  We  are  as  little  disposed  to  tell  yoii  how  you  should  in- 
terpret your  constitution,  or  to  sit  in  judgment  iipon  your  action  with  reference  to 
your  people,  as  we  would  be  to  allow  such  interference  with  ours.  But  you  should 
remember  that  here  is  a  proposal  made  by  your  Assembly  that  we  shall  come  into 
"closer  relations."  Is  it  not  our  right,  then,  to  declare  frankly  the  light  in  which 
such  enactments  and  opinions  are  viewed  ? 

The  fact  yon  mention  concerning  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  has  a 
bearing  upon  the  point  before  tis  to  this  extent  oidy,  that  fraternal  correspondence 
is  consistent  with  soine  difference  of  views  in  doctrine  and  order.  And  so  with  re- 
gard to  differences  in  other  matters,  not  excepting  those  political.  V>\\t  wc  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  a  church  (esiaecially  in  this  country,  where  separation  from  the 
state  is  at  least  theoretically  complete,  and  still  more  a  Presbyterian  Church,  which, 
holding  its  noble  standards,  ought  to  know  better)  might  so  cover  itself  with  dis- 
grace by  defiling  its  garments  with  things  it  is  forbidden  to  touch;  or  might  also,  in 
matters  purely  ecclesiastical,  so  deplorably  subvert  its  own  fundamental  principles, 
as  to  forbid  any  intercourse  whatever.  It  is  the  right  of  every  church  to  judge  of 
each  case  by  itself;  and  it  is  especially  our  right  to  do  this  now,  and  is  no  cause  of 
offense,  when  invited  to  a  conference  which  must  of  necessity  bring  such  consid- 
erations under  review. 

The  principle  stated  above  is  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  criticism  you  derive  from 
a  sentence  in  the  "Address"  of  our  Assembly  of  1861. 

3.  You  allege  that  it  would  be  easy,  were  you  so  disposed,  to  find  on  our  recorils 
expressions  of  opinion  open  to  the  same  objection.     We  know  our  ground  when  we 


Sec.  659.]        Relations  of  the  Chtjech  with  Other  Bodies.  485 

affirm  that  this  is  a  mistake.  To  use  the  language  of  our  Assembly  itself  on  this 
point — 

"We  challenge  the  world  to  place  the  two  records  side  by  side,  in  the  severity  of 
contrast.  No  ingenuity  of  sophistry  can  transmute  into  political  dogmas  the  scant 
allusions  to  the  historical  reality  of  a  great  struggle  then  pending ;  or  the  thankful 
recognition,  in  the  middle  of  a  paragraph,  of  the  unanimity  with  which  an  invaded 
people  rose  to  the  defense  of  their  hearthstones  and  the  graves  of  their  dead ;  or  the 
pastoral  counsels  addressed  to  the  members  and  youth  of  our  own  churches,  passing 
through  the  temptations  and  perils  of  the  camp  and  field ;  or  the  half -hour  spent  in 
prayer  for  a  land  bleeding  under  the  iron  heel  of  war;  or  even  the  incidental  declar- 
ation in  a  Narrative,  to  stand  by  an  institution  of  the  country,  a  traditional  inher- 
itance from  our  fathers.  Even  though,  from  the  ambiguity  of  human  language, 
these  chance  references  may  not  have  been  always  discreetly  expressed,  the  most 
that  a  just  criticism  could  pronounce  is,  that  they  are  inconsistent  with  the  judi- 
cially i^ronounced  principles  upon  which  the  Southern  Assembly  entered  upon  its 
troubled  career.  And  when  exaggerated  to  their  largest  proportions  by  all  the  preju- 
dice of  bitter  partisanship,  they  dwindle  into  motes  and  specks  by  the  side  of  those 
elaborate  and  colossal  deliverances,  repeated  each  year  through  formal  committees, 
and  exalted  into  solemn  testimonies  co-ordinate  with  the  doctrines  of  religion  and  of 
faith,  which  disfigure  the  legislation  of  both  the  Northern  Assemblies  through  suc- 
cessive years." 

But  more  than  this,  if  a  single  expression  clearly  violating  the  great  principle  to 
which  we  refer  can  be  found  upon  our  records,  we  are  prepared  to  say  that  it  will 
be  thoroughly  repudiated  by  our  Assembly.  No\<-,  brethren,  will  you  recommend 
to  your  Assembly  to  do  the  same,  and  thus  take  up  these  stumbling-blocks  out  of 
the  way  'i 

4.  You  refer  to  "four  yeai-s  of  effort"  to  obtain  this  conference.  K  our  response 
had  been  a  little  slow,  some  allowance  might  be  made  for  those  more  than  four 
years  during  which  any  friendly  intercourse  with  our  Church  was  not  only  frowned 
upon  by  yours,  but  was,  by  express  legislation,  practically  forbidden.  We  beg  to 
remind  yoii,  however,  that  your  only  two  overtures  for  a  conference  were  promptly 
met  on  our  part.     But  let  that  pass. 

5.  You  recite  at  large  the  various  declarations  of  your  Assemblies  in  1870,  1873, 
and  1874,  and  refer  to  the  "Concurrent  Declaration"  adopted  in  1869  by  both  of 
your  former  Assemblies.  A  few  notes  on  what  is  here  presented  are  called  for.  As 
to  a  certain  part  of  this  "Declaration,"  we  remark  — 

(1,)  That  said  "Declaration"  never  entered  into  the  basis  of  your  re-union  at  all; 
and  as  was  remarked  in  the  elaborate  speech  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Musgrave  at  the  time 
it  was  adopted,  ' '  it  may  be  annulled  or  modified  as  any  future  Assembly  may  deem 
proper. '"     But  passing  this  by — 

(2,)  You  state  that  you  "know  it  was  in  an  especial  manner  intended  to_do  away 
with  the  deliverances  concerning  the  Southern  Church  now  complained  of,"  etc. 
This  much  is  certain,  that  the  many  extended  speeches  made  on  all  the  matters 
embraced  in  your  re-union,  the  "Concurrent  Declaration  "  included,  will  be  searched 
in  vain  for  a  single  intimation  that  any  such  purpose  was  intended.  No  court  or 
deliberative  bodV  on  earth  would  allow  any  jiaper  to  be  construed  so  as  to  cover  a 
meaning  not  expressed  upon  its  face,  because  the  man  who  drew  it,  or  a  few  others, 
had  a  secret  intention  that  it  should  be  deflected  in  that  direction.  But  if,  in  the 
total  absence  of  any  intimation  to  that  effect  before  the  Assembly  at  the  time  it  was 
adopted,  such  a  construction  as  now  claimed  can  be  admitted,  what  becomes  of  the 
construction  also  now  so  earnestly  claimed  for  a  retros])ective  effect  to  be  given  to 
the  Baltimore  paper  of  1873,  when  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and 
Overtures,  upon  reporting  it,  expressly  declared,  in  substance,  that  it  took  back 
nothing  ? 

But,  dismissing  all  such  outside  interpretation,  let  us  examine  that  paper  as  it 
stands.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  expression  "null  and  void"  does  not  profess 
to  take  effect  at  an  earlier  date  than  1870.  We  can  readily  understand  how  suitably 
it  applies  to  a  rule  that  has  been  operative;  it  stops  its  action,  and  this  is  all  that  is 
needed.  But  how  is  it  po.ssiblc  by  such  a  declaration,  which  did  not  take  effect  till 
1870,  to  efface  the  odious  aspersions  resting  upon  us  for  years  before  ?  After  ex- 
amining as  carefully  as  we  can  all  that  you  adduce  on  this  subject,  we  are  iinable  to 
perceive  how  it  can  reach  back  to  our  case.  The  imputations  are  there  to  this  day, 
and  aggravated,  not  mitigated,  as  you  intimate,  by  the  length  of  time. 

(3,)  Your  observation  that  "these  things  belong  to  history,"  and  that  "it  is  idle 
to  talk  of  erasing  them,"  calls  for  some  remark.     If  we  claimed  the  rescinding  or 


486  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

repealing  of  "these  things,"  we  could  point  to  abundant  aiithority  for  it,  derived 
from  both  the  Old  and  New  School  Assemblies.  But  this  we  do  not  ask.  We  sim- 
ply desire,  when  called  to  confer  about  "forming  closer  relations,"  to  ascertain  in 
the  plainest  and  most  direct  manner,  whether  your  Church  disapproves  of  the  dis- 
honoring accusations  referred  to.  One  Assembly  can  make  history  as  well  as 
another.  In  all  governments  on  earth,  one  body  can  act  upon  what  has  been  done 
by  itself,  or  by  its  predecessors.  Your  Assembly,  of  course,  cannot  declare  that 
what  has  been  done  was  not  done ;  but  it  is  not  prevented,  either  by  precept  or  ex.' 
ample,  from  expressing  an  opinion  as  to  its  wisdom  and  righteousness  You,  breth- 
ren, have  not  authority  to  do  what  the  Assembly  only  can  do;  but  surely  your 
authority  is  ample  to  recommend  to  it  whatever  in  your  judgment  may  be  proper 
to  settle  these  troubles.  If  your  Assembly  could  see  its  way  clear  to  say,  in  a  few 
plain  words  to  this  eifect,  that  these  obnoxious  things  were  said  and  done  in  times 
of  great  excitement,  that  they  are  to  be  regretted,  and  that  now,  in  a  calm  review, 
the  imputations  cast  u^Don  the  Southern  Church  are  disapproved,  that  would  end 
the  difficulty  at  once. 

We  would  be  far  from  a  disposition  to  contend  for  a  mere  punctilio.  This  is  not 
a  question  of  words  to  no  purpose  No  instance  is  known  to  tis  in  modern  times  in 
which  one  evangelical  church  has  heaped  upon  another  such  wrongs  as  yours  has 
put  ujDon  your  Southern  brethren  from  1861  to  186G.  A  paper  you  adopted  in  1873, 
was  sent  us,  and  we  were  invited  to  a  conference  to  compose  the  controversy.  After 
a  journey  of  more  than  a  thousand  miles  on  the  part  of  some  of  our  committee, 
judge  of  our  surprise  and  disappointment  upon  finding  that  same  paper  put  into 
our  hands  as  an  ample  adjustment  of  this  whole  matter,  and  absolutely  not  a  sylla- 
ble beyond  it !  If  that  was  to  be  all,  why  not  have  sent  it  to  our  Assembly  itself 
for  an  explicit  answer,  and  dispensed  with  the  committee  entirely  ?  The  adjust- 
ment we.  seek  after  cannot  be  obtained  by  means  of  any  indirect,  extraneous  decla- 
ration, "concurrent"  or  otherwise,  and  so  obscure  in  its  meaning  that  your  own 
people,  ministers  and  newspapers  are  not  agreed  as  to  its  interpretation.  It  would 
be  only  a  tangled  thread  of  doubtful  disputation. 

Should  our  conference  close  without  effecting  what  thousands  in  both  churches 
have  earnestly  prayed  for,  we  are  not  insensible  to  the  sad  spectacle  it  will  present 
to  the  Church  and  to  the  world.  We  refrain  from  expressing  the  feeling  with  which 
we  contemplate  this  result.  We  have  endeavored  to  perform  our  duty,  as  we  un- 
derstand it,  firmly  and  kindly,  and  here  rest  this  discussion,  leaving  what  has  been 
done  to  the  judgment  of  Him  who  knoweth  all  things,  and  of  all  who  may  feel  an  in- 
terest in  it.  Yours  very  truly,  William  Beown,  ChairiiHin. 


No.  <;. 


Baltimore,  January  litfi,  1875. 


Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D.  ,  Chuirtnan : 

Dear  Brother  :  Your  communication  of  January  i;^th,  in  reply  to  ours  of  Janu- 
ary 9th,  has  been  received. 

In  this  your  answer  to  the  renewed  proposition  on  our  part  to  enter  into  the  re- 
lation of  corresponding  bodies,  you  decline  to  enter  into  the  proposed  relation  until 
further  action  is  taken  by  our  Assemblj'.  You  now  ask  our  Assembly  "to  say  in  a 
few  plain  words  to  this  effect,  that  these  obnoxious  things  were  said  and  done  in 
times  of  high  excitement ;  that  they  are  to  be  regretted ;  and  that  now,  in  a  cahn 
review,  the  imputations  cast  upon  the  Southern  Church  are  disajiproved. " 

We  cannot  make  this  recommendation  to  our  Assemblj',  for  the  reason  that  we  are 
still  of  the  decided  conviction  that  its  actions  for  the  last  four  years,  so  fully  recited 
to  you  in  our  last  communication,  constitute  a  sufficient  ground  for  fraternal  cor- 
resj)ondence. 

As  that  paper  seems  not  to  be  fully  uu<lerstood  by  j'ou,  we  beg  leave  to  repeat, 
in  brief,  its  true  spirit  and  intent.  In  that  paper  we  declare  that  all  the  acts  and 
deliverances  of  the  Northern  Assemblies  of  which  you  complain  are  wholly  null 
and  void,  and  of  no  binding  efficacy  as  judgments  of  the  Chin-ch  we  represent,  or 
as  rules  of  proceeding  for  its  Presl)yteries  and  church  sessions ;  that,  in  so  far  as 
they  or  any  of  them  can  be  supjjosed  to  import  any  injurious  imputations  upon  the 
present  character  and  standing  of  the  churches  and  members  of  the  Southern  As- 
sembly as  Christians  or  Presbyterians,  such  an  application  of  them  would  be  unjust 
to  you,  and  would  be  disajiproved  and  regretted  by  us;  that  the  acts  and  deliver- 
ances of  the  Northern  Assemblies  of  which  you  complain  were  made  in  peculiar  times 
and  under  strange  and  exciting  circumstances,  when  the  passions  and  feelings  of 
men  were  profoundly  moved ;  that,  as  acts  of  Assemblies  which  we  do  not  repre- 


Sec.  659.]        Relations  of  the  Chukch  with  Other  Bodies.  487 

sent,  we  cannot  sit  in  judgment  upon  tliem,  nor  express  any  opinion  as  to  their 
character ;  that  we  feel  competent  to  express  the  desire  that  they  may  be  considered 
by  you  in  the  same  spirit  of  charity  and  Christian  forgiveness  which  we  trust  the 
people  whom  we  represent  will  exercise  towar<ls  anything  to  which  they  may  object 
in  the  proceedings  of  the  Southern  Assembly. 

With  regard  to  the  arguments  by  which  you  reply  to  our  former  statements,  we 
make  no  answer;  indeed,  we  can  make  none,  since  you  seem  to  be  unwilling  to  re- 
ceive our  positive  assurances  as  to  the  nullity  and  inoperativeness  of  the  acts  of 
which  you  complain. 

In  your  reply  you  say,  "After  a  journey  of  more  than  a  thousand  miles  on  the 
part  of  some  of  this  committee,  judge  of  our  surprise  and  disappointment  upon 
tiuding  that  same  paper  put  into  our  hands  as  an  ample  adjustment  of  this  whole 
matter,  and  absolutely  not  a  syllaljle  beyond  it.  If  that  was  to  be  all,  why  not  have 
sent  it  to  our  Assembly  itself  for  an  explicit  answer,  and  dispensed  with  the  com- 
mittee entirely ':" 

Permit  us  to  correct  this  by  referring  you  to  our  former  communications,  in 
which  we  say,  "We  are  ready,  so  soon  as  this  first  proposal  shall  be  accepted  by 
you,  as  we  hope  it  will  be,  to  submit  other  overtures  looking  to  the  speedy  settle- 
ment of  all  controversies  between  lis  touching  church  property,  the  adjustment  of  our 
labors  in  missionary  fields  which  Providence  has  given  to  our  joint  possession,  and 
to  such  co-operation  in  the  gi'eat  work  of  evangelization  as  may  not  be  incousi.stent 
with  the  integrity  of  two  bodies  of  Christians  holding  the  same  standards  of  doctrine 
and  ecclesiastical  order."'  To  arrange  for  these  by  consulting  Mnth  you,  we  regard 
as  of  sufficient  importance  to  justify  the  meetings  of  these  committees.  We  came  to 
you  with  outstretched  hand.  We  supposed,  aud  do  still  believe,  that  our  Assem- 
bly had  removed  all  obstacles  in  the  way  of  recognizing  each  other  as  simply  cor- 
responding bodies.  We  are  sorry  that  our  hand  is  stilt  refused.  Coming  on  an 
errand  of  peace  aud  brotherly  love  to  meet  those  who,  howe\'er  divided  from  us, 
we  have  held  to  be  of  our  household,  we  have  not  measured  our  words  nor  withheld 
any  expression  we  could  properly  i;se  to  heal  wounds,  whose  scars  we  would  oblite- 
rate if  we  could. 

Thus  feeling,  we  are  filled  with  profound  soitow  and  surprise,  not  only  at  some 
of  the  statements  made  aud  sentiments  contained  in  j'our  last  communication,  but 
also  at  the  form  in  which  they  are  conveyed,  and  we  grieve  to  be  compelled  to  say, 
at  the  apparent  lack  of  confidence  in  the  solemn  avowals  of  the  comm\inion  we 
represent,  and  of  us,  its  servants. 

Conscious  that  we  have  endeavored  so  to  discharge  our  duty  as  to  bring  no  dis- 
honor upon  the  cause  of  the  Master,  aud  in  fidelity  to  the  trust  committed  to  us, 
we  shall,  if  you  still  refuse  our  proposal,  sadly  retrace  our  steps,  bearing  with  us, 
not,  indeed,  as  we  had  hoped,  the  cordial  acceptance  of  our  earnest  invitation  to 
"closer  fraternal  i-clations, "  but  not  without  hope  that  in  the  near  future,  by  God's 
good  blessing,  the  heart  of  that  noble  bodj'  of  Christians  from  whom  you  come  will 
yearn,  as  do  the  hearts  of  those  we  represent,  for  closer  intercourse  and  strtmger 
ties,  aud  that  through  that  yearnmg  deliverance  will  come. 

If  further  coufereuce  between  our  committee  and  j'ours  is  not  desired  by  you,  we 
shall  hope  t.)  be  so'uformed;  and  before  we  separate  we  shall  be  glad  to  be  in- 
formed also  whether  we  are  at  liberty  to  make  public  the  correspondence  which  has 
passed  between  us  iluring  our  sessions  in  this  city. 

In  transmittmg  to  you  this,  the  unanimous  action  of  our  committee,  I  am,  with 
sentiments  of  resjiect,  yours  in  Christ,  S.amiel  J.  Nicoolls,  ChuirnKui. 


N. 


>.   (. 


Baltimore,  Janunri/  lit/i,  1875. 


Rev.  S.^MrEL  J.  Nili:olls,  Chairman.  &<■.: 

De.\i{  Sik  :  In  reply  to  your  liv-st  communication,  nothing  remains  for  us  but  sim- 
ply to  state  the  Lssue  between  us. 

We  submitted  to  you  a  simple  proposition  to  this  effect,  that  your  Assembly  should 
say,  in  a  few  plain  word'^,  that  those  obnoxious  things  were  said  and  doue  in  times 
of  high  excitement,  that  they  are  to  be  regretted,  and  that  now,  in  a  calm  review, 
the  imputations  cast  upon  the  Southern  Church  are  disapproved  This  proposition 
you  decline,  "for  the  simple  reason  that  we  are  still  of  the  decided  conviction  that 
its  action"  (meaning  the  action  of  your  Assembly)  "for  the  last  four  years,  so  fully 
recited  to  you  in  our  lo-st  communication,  constitutes  a  sufficient  ground  for  frater- 
nal correspondence."  The  very  terms  of  our  commission  preclude  us  from  acced- 
ing to  that  which  you  have  proposed,  for  the  reason  that  it  has  been  under  consid- 


488  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genebal  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

eration  by  our  Assembly,  and  has  not  been  considered  sufficient.  Our  commission 
is  to  seek  the  "  removal  of  causes  "  which,  in  the  estimation  of  our  Assembly,  existed 
in  1874,  and  stiU  exist. 

You  say,  moreover,  ' '  that  in  so  far  as  the  action  of  yoiir  Assembly  can  be  siip- 
posed  to  import  any  injurious  imputations  upon  the  peesent  character  and  standing 
of  the  churches  and  members  of  the  Southern  Assembly  as  Christians  or  Presbyte- 
rians, such  an  application  to  them  would  be  unjust  to  you  and  would  be  disapproved 
and  regretted  by  us. "  To  which  we  reply,  that  the  gi-ievances  of  which  we  com- 
plain, and  which  we  desire  to  see  removed,  lie  entirely  back  of  the  2)resent,  and  an 
adjustment  which  entirely  ignores  the  past  is  unsatisfactory.  We  regard  this  as  aside 
from  the  real  issue. 

We  cannot  see  the  force  of  the  position  taken  by  you,  ' '  that  as  acts  of  Assemblies 
which  we  do  not  represent,  we  cannot  sit  in  judgment  upon  them,  nor  express  any 
opinion  as  to  their  character, "  for  this  reason,  among  many  others,  that  the  utmost 
pains  were  taken,  in  effecting  the  re-union  of  your  Assemblies,  to  preserve  the  iden- 
tity of  both ;  and  we  fail  to  see  how  you  do  not  succeed  to  the  authority  and  respon- 
sibility as  well  as  to  the  advantages  of  the  same. 

We  disclaim  any  intention  of  expressing  or  intimating  in  our  communications 
any  lack  of  confidence  in  the  solemn  avowals  of  the  communion  you  represent,  or 
in  you  "its  servants."     We  are  simply  dissatisfied  because  they  are  insufficient. 

It  therefore  seems  that  the  object  of  our  conference  has  failed  by  your  refusal  to 
accede  to  the  simple  terms  which  we  have  proposed,  and  which  have  been  discussed 
and  considered  between  us.  But  we  see  no  reason  why  this  should  interfere  with 
an  adjustment  of  the  troiibles  connected  with  church  property,  concerning  which 
we  have  already  presented  a  communication. 

In  answer  to  your  inquiry  in  reference  to  the  publication  of  this  correspondenc-e, 
we  say  that,  when  the  conference  is  finally  ended,  we  have  no  objection  to  the  pub- 
lication of  it,  i^rovided  the  whole  is  published. 

If  you  have  no  further  communication  in  regard  to  the  adjustment  of  the  ques- 
tion of  church  property,  we  shall  return  to  our  homes  with  the  assured  testimony  of 
a  good  conscience  that  no  part  of  the  responsibility  of  this  failure  rests  iipon  us. 
Yours  in  the  Lord,  William  Brown,  Chairman . 

No.  8. 

Baltimoue,  January  14,  187;). 
Eev.  William  Bkown,  D.  D.,  Chairman: 

Deak  Beothee  :  Your  communication  of  this  date  is  received. 

We  recognize  the  fact  that  our  conference  is  ended,  and  that  it  has  failed  to  attain 
the  objects  which  we  had  hoped  to  accomplish  by  it.  At  the  same  time  we  agree 
with  you  that  this  failure  ought  not  to  prevent  the  ecjuitable  adjustment  of  any  ex- 
isting controversies  concerning  property  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Churches.  We  cannot  suffer  your  statement,  that  the  value  of  such  dis- 
puted property  would  probaV)ly  amount  to  two  millions  of  dollars,  to  pass  unchal- 
lenged. We  do  not  believe  that  all  the  property  now  in  actual  litigation,  or  likely 
ever  to  come  into  dispute,  would  amount  to  one-tenth  of  the  sum  you  name.  But 
being  disappointed  in  the  hope  that  these  disputes,  whatever  may  be  their  extent, 
would  be  settled  upon  some  plan  agreed  ujjon  by  these  two  committees,  we  take 
pleasure  in  stating  to  you  that  it  is  our  purpose  to  refer  this  question  to  our  next 
General  Assembly,  in  the  full  assurance  that  they  will  settle  it  upon  principles  of 
equity  and  fair  dealing  as  becometh  Christians. 

With  regard  to  the  publication  of  the  proceedings  of  this  conference,  we  agree  to 
your  i^roposition.  that  all,  if  any,  of  the  documents  shall  be  published,  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  this  condition  shall  be  equally  binding  upon  both  i)arties. 

With  the  earnest  j^rayer  that  God  will  abundantly  bestow  grace,  mercy  and  peace 
upon  you  and  all  you  represent,  we  are  yours  truly  in  Christ, 

Samuel  J.   Niccolls.  Chair  man. 

No.  9. 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Chairman  : 

Deab  Sir:  Our  conference  having  been  oiiened  in  joint  sessiim,  it  would  there- 
fore, we  suggest,  be  seemly  that  we  should  meet  together  and  dissolve  or  adjourn 
the  same  in  a  formal  manner.  If  you  agree,  we  shall  meet  you  forthwith  in  the 
lecture-room  of  the  church.  Yours  truly,  William  Brown,  Chairman. 

Upon  receiving  a  verbal  response  that  this  was  agreed  to,  the  members  of  the 


Sec.  660.]  Relattons  of  the  Chvrch  with  Other  Bodies.  489 

Southern  committee,  whose  sessious  were  in  an  adjoining  room,  repaired  to  the 
lecture-room,  occupied  by  the  members  of  the  Northern  committee.  Upon  meet- 
ing in  joint  session  the  chairman  made  a  few  remarks  to  the  effect  that,  while  this 
conference  had  failed  to  accomplish  what  was  hoped  for  on  both  sides,  it  was  grati- 
fying to  retiect  that  our  personal  intercourse  had  been,  from  first  to  last,  so  entirely 
agreeable  in  all  our  social  and  devotional  meetings;  that  in  the  wide  diiference  of 
views  between  us  on  the  question  presented  in  our  deliberations,  we  could  cheer- 
fully concede  that  each  side  had  acted  under  honest  convictions;  and  that,  as  we 
had  opened  the  conference  with  prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing,  so  it  would  no 
doubt  be  the  wish  of  all  that,  in  closing  it,  we  should  commit  what  had  been  done 
to  the  guiding  and  overruling  providence  of  Him  who  is  "Head  over  all  things  to 
His  Church." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Skinner  was  then  requested  to  offer  prayer,  after  which  the  confer-* 
ence  was  declared  to  be  adjourned  mne  die. 

Names  of  Committees  : 

FROM    THE    NOKTHERN    ASSEMBLY. 

1{ev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  {Chairman),  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Rev.  H.  J.  Van  Dyke,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N   Y. 

Rev.  Henry  Darlixcj,  D.  D.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  Th()M.\s  H   Skinner,  D.  D.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Erskine,  D.  D.,  XewviUe,  Pa. 

Hon.  Samuel  ^I.  Breckinridge,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

FROM  THE  SOUTHERN  ASSEMBLY. 

Rev.  "William  Brown,  D.  D.,  {Cliairnmn),  Richmond,  Va. 
Rev.  Ro.  P.  Farris,  D.  D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D  ,  New  Orleans.  La. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Ixulis,  Baltunore,  Md. 
Hon.  B.  M.  Estes,  Memphis.  Tenn. 

660.  FurtJter  efforts  for  tlie  estahlisliment  of  fraiernal  relations. 

1876,  p.  242.  Overture  No.  15,  from  the  Presbyten,'  of  St.  Louis, 
asking  that  the  Assembly  take  some  action  in  regard  to  fraternal  rela- 
tions with  the  Noi-thern  General  Assembly,  in  order  to  remove  misap- 
prehensions as  to  the  true  position  of  our  Church. 

The  committee  recommend  the  following  answer  : 

Resolve' I,  That  the  action  of  the  Baltimore  conference,  approved  by 
the  Assembly  at  St.  Louis,  explains  with  sufficient  clearness  the  posi- 
tion of  our  Church. 

But,  inasmuch  as  it  is  represented  by  the  overture  that  misappre- 
hension exists  in  the  minds  of  some  of  our  people  as  to  the  spu'it  of 
this  action,  in  order  to  show  our  disposition  to  remove  on  our  part  real 
or  seeming  hindrances  to  friendly  feeling,  the  Assembly  exphcitly  de- 
clares that,  while  condemning  certain  acts  and  deliverances  of  the 
Northern  General  Assembly,  no  acts  or  deliverances  of  the  Southern 
General  Assemblies  are  to  be  construed  or  admitted  as  impugning  in 
any  way  the  Christian  character  of  the  Nt)rthern  General  Assembly,  or 
of  the  hisUmcal  bodies  of  which  it  is  the  successor. 

This  report  was,  after  some  discussion,  adopted  by  a  vote  of  83  to  6. 

The  moderator  announced  to  the  Assembly  that  he  had  received  an 
official  telegi-am  from  the  moderator  and  clerks  of  the  Northern  As- 
sembly, which  paper  was  read,  and  is  as  follows : 

Brookly-n,  N.  Y.,  Mi(i/26tfi. 
Benj.  M.  Siuit/i,  I).  I)..  Mmhrator  PirnbyUrian  Assembly,  Samiuuih: 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolutions  on  fraternal  correspondence 
with  the  General  Assembly  now  in  session  at  Savannah,  report  that  they  are  unani- 
mously and  henrtily  in  sympathy  with  the  objects  contemplated  in  the  resolutions, 


490  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

and  recogniziuy  the  fact  that  the  two  AssembUes  accept  the  same  Form  of  Govern- 
ment and  Directory  for  Worship,  and  are  closely  bound  together  by  historical  as 
well  as  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  ties ;  and  whereas  these  churches  are,  in  faith, 
order  and  labor,  called  by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  to  united  eifort  for  the  ex- 
tension of  his  kingdom  throughout  the  country  and  world,  and  as  no  adjustment 
of  differences  are  accomplished  by  the  rehearsal  of  the  past,  therefore,  Avith  a  view 
to  the  expression  of  the  united  and  hearty  wishes  of  this  body,  that  at  the  earliest 
practical  moment  we  may  see  the  establishment  of  correspondence  with  the  other 
Assembly,  reiterate  its  cordial  desire  to  establish  fraternal  relations  with  that  Assem- 
bly, on  terms  of  perfect  equality  and  reci2:)rocity,  as  soon  as  it  is  agreeable  to  their 
brethren  to  respond  to  this  assurance  by  a  similar  expression. 

H.   J.  Van  Dyke,  Moderator. 

Ed.  F.  Hatfield,  Stated  Clerk. 

Cyeus  Dickson,  Permanent  Clerk. 

This  matter  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures 
for  immediate  action. 

P.  243.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  returned  and  sub- 
mitted the  follovping  response  to  the  Northern  Assembly,  to  be  tele- 
graphed in  reph'  to  the  message  from  the  moderator,  Rev.  Dr.  Van 
Dyke: 

jRev.   H.  J.   J'<m    Dijke,   D.   D.,  Moderator  Presbnttrian   Assenthly, 
Brooklyn,  JVew  York  : 

We  are  ready  most  cordially  to  enter  on  fraternal  relations  vpith 
your  body  on  ans*  terms  honorable  to  both  parties,  and  then,  as  an  ex- 
planation of  what  our  feeling  is,  we  send  the  action  taken  in  the  answer 
to  the  overture  from  the  St.  Louis  Presb}'ter3^ 

(Here  the  despatch  recites  that  action  just  given  above.) 

[Signed]         B.  M.  Smith,  Moderator. 

J.  R.  Wilson,  Stated  Clerk. 
Wm.  Brown,  Permanent  Clerk. 

This  report,  which  had  been  unanimously  adopted  by  the  committee, 
was  also  unanimously  adopted  by  the  house,  and  said  paper  was  ordered 
to  be  sent  to  its  proper  destination  by  telegram. 

In  grateful  recognition  of  the  "  good  hand  of  the  Lord  our  God  upon 
us  "  in  the  unanimity  which  our  Assembly  had  attained  in  the  final  vote 
on  this  matter,  where  division  of  sentiment  had  been  at  first  appre- 
hended, it  united  in  singing  the  doxology,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all 
blessings  flow,"  and  then  the  Rev.  Dr.  Adger  led  in  thanksgiving  and 
prayer  to  God,  in  special  reference  to  the  harmony  prevailing  through- 
out this  Assembly. 

1877,  p.  406.  Certain  papers  from  Presbyteries,  on  the  subject  of 
"Fraternal  Relations,"  were  presented  by  the  stated  clerk;  also  a  com- 
munication from  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Northern  General  Assembly, 
transmitting  a  copy  of  a  paper  passed  by  said  Assembly  last  year  touch- 
ing the  same  subject.  These  papers  were  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Correspondence. 

P.  410.  This  committee  made  a  report,  the  first  part  of  which  was 
adopted  with  almost  entire  unanimity.     The  last  part  was  recommitted. 

P.  412.  The  imfinished  business,  viz.,  concerning  the  last  clause  in 
the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  was  taken  up.  The 
committee  obtained  leave  to  withdraw  that  part  of  their  report,  and 
the  question  being  upon  the  first  part  as  constituting  the  whole  report, 
it  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  109  ayes  to  4  noes.  This  report  is  as 
follows : 


Sec.  66a  1  RELATIONS  OF  THE  ChURCH  WITH  OtHER  BoDIES.  491 

The  Committee  of  Correspondence  recommend  to  the  General  As- 
sembly the  following  as  oiu*  Chiu'ch's  reply  to  the  communication  re- 
ceived at  this  session  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America : 

^Vhereas  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Church,  in  session  at  St.  Louis, 
in  1875,  adopted  a  paper  rendering  "special  thanks,  in  the  name  of 
the  whole  Church,  to  our  Committee  of  Conference  at  Baltimore  for 
their  diligence,  fidelity,  and  Christian  prudence,"  and,  in  particular,  ap- 
proving and  endorsing  "  as  satisfactoiy  to  the  Southern  Church  the 
condition  precedent  to  fraternal  relations  suggested  by  our  committee," 
viz. :  "If  your  Assembly  could  see  its  way  clear  to  say  in  a  few  plain 
words  to  this  eft'ect,  that  these  obnoxious  things  were  said  and  done  in 
times  of  gi'eat  excitement,  and  are  to  be  regretted,  and  that  now,  on  a 
calm  review,  the  imputations  cast  upon  the  Southern  Church  (of  schism, 
heresy,  and  blasphemy)  are  disapproved,  that  would  end  the  difficulty 
at  once; '  and 

Whereas  our  General  Assembly,  in  session  at  Savannah  in  1876,  in 
response  to  a  paper  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  Avhich  met  in  Brooklyn, 
adopted  the  following  paper,  viz. : 

"  ^Ve  are  ready  most  cordially  tt)  enter  on  fraternal  relations  with 
your  body  on  any  terms  honorable  to  both  parties.  This  Assembly  has 
alread}-,  in  answer  to  an  overture  from  our  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis, 
spontaneously  taken  the  following  action  : 

'*  Resolved,  That  the  action  of  the  Baltimore  conference,  api)roved 
by  the  Assembly  at  St.  Louis,  explains  with  sufiicient  clearness  the  po- 
sition of  oiu-  Church.  But,  inasmuch  as  it  is  represented  by  the  over- 
ture that  misapprehension  exists  in  the  minds  of  some  of  our  jjeople  as 
to  the  spirit  of  this  action,  in  order  to  show  our  disposition  to  remove 
on  our  i)art  all  real  or  seeming  hindi'ance  to  friendly  feeling,  the  Assem- 
bly exphcitly  declares  that,  while  condemning  certain  acts  and  deliver- 
ances of  the  Northern  General  Assembly,  no  acts  or  deHverances  of  the 
Southern  (ireneral  Assemblies  are  to  be  construed  or  admitted  as  im- 
pugning in  any  way  the  Christian  character  of  the  Northern  (reneral 
Assembly,  or  of  the  historical  bodies  of  which  it  is  the  successor "" ;  and 

Whereas  the  said  General  Assembly  at  Brooklyn,  in  response  to  the 
foregoing  paper  of  our  Assembly  at  Savannah,  adopted  the  following, 
which  has  been  communicated  to  us  at  our  present  meeting,  viz. : 

"  The  overture  of  this  Assembly  having  been  received  by  the  General 
Assembly  in  the  South  with  such  a  cordial  expression  of  gratification, 
the  committee  recommend  that  the  same  resolution,  declarative  of  the 
spirit  in  which  this  action  is  taken,  be  adopted  by  this  Assembly, 
viz. :  '  In  order  to  show  our  disposition  to  remove  on  our  part  aU  real 
or  seeming  hindrance  to  friendly  feeling,  the  Assembly  explicitly  de- 
clares that,  while  condenming  certam  acts  and  deliverances  of  the 
Southern  General  Asseuibly,  nt)  acts  or  deliverances  of  the  Northern 
Assembly,  or  of  the  histi>rical  bodies  of  which  the  present  Assembly  is 
the  success.  )r,  ai'e  k)  be  construed  or  admitted  as  impugning  in  any 
way  the  Christian  character  of  the  Southern  General  Assembly,  or  of 
the  historical  body  or  bodies  of  which  it  is  the  successor';  now,  there- 
fore, be  it- — 

Resolced  by  this  Assembly,  That  we  cannot  regard  this  commimica- 
tion  as  satisfactory,  because  we  can  discover  in  it  no  reference  whatever 


492  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

to  the  fii'st  and  main  j^ai't  of  the  paper  adopted  by  our  Assembly  at 
Savannah,  and  communicated  to  the  Brooklyn  Assembly.  This  Assem- 
bly can  add  nothing  on  this  subject  to  the  action  of  the  Assembly  at 
St.  Louis  adopting  the  basis  proposed  by  our  Committee  of  Conference 
at  Baltimore,  and  re-aflfii'med  by  the  Assembly  at  Savannah. 

If  our  brethren  of  the  Northern  Church  can  meet  us  on  these  terms, 
which  truth  and  righteousness  seem  to  us  to  reqviire,  then  we  are  ready 
to  establish  such  relations  with  them  during  the  present  sessions  of  the 
Assemblies. 

P.  416.  An  official  telegram  was  sent  to  the  Northern  General  As- 
sembly at  Chicago,  setting  forth  the  substance  of  the  above  action. 
(The  dispatch  is  preserved  in  the  Minutes.) 

P.  429.  The  following  paper  was  presented  and  ordered  to  be 
entered  upon  the  records : 

The  undersigned  members  of  this  Assembly,  who  voted  in  the  minor- 
ity on  the  rejwrt  of  the  Committee  on  Foreig*n  Correspondence,  in  re- 
ply to  the  paper  received  from  the  Brooklyn  Assembly,  respectfully  beg 
leave  to  record  the  following  as  our  reasons  for  voting  against  that  re- 
port, viz,  : 

1.  That  while  we  heartily  concur'  in  the  ultimatum  of  the  Baltimore 
committee  of  our  Church,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  action  of  the 
Cleveland  Assembly,  substantially  repealed  by  the  Assembly  which  met 
in  Brooklyn  in  1876,  effectually  estops  us  from  further  action  upon  this 
subject,  and  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  self-respect  for  this  Assembly 
to  continue  to  press  this  ultimatum  after  its  distinct  and  repeated  de- 
clinature by  the  Northern  Assembly. 

2.  That  the  further  agitation  of  this  question  tends  only  to  detract 
fi'om  the  spirituality  of  our  Church. 

3.  We  can  but  regard  the  manner  in  which  this  question  was  hurried 
to  a  vote  as  an  infringement  of  the  privileges  of  the  minorit3\ 

Respectfully,  W.  L.  T.  Prince,         H.  H.  Banks, 

B.  M.  Faeris,  James  P.  Coffin. 

661.  Ri-change  of  sdhttations  hetioeen  the  two  Asseinhlies. 

1878,  p.  622.  The  Assembly  received  a  cordial  and  courteous  Chris- 
tian salutation  from  the  Northern  Assembly,  in  session  at  Pittsburg, 
and,  in  the  same  spirit  which  prompted  the  message,  it  I'eturned  the 
courtesy  with  hearty  Christian  greetings,  and  made  a  minute  of  the 
same. 

P.  628.  A  paj)er,  signed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  R.  K.  Smoot  and  others, 
asking  for  an  explanation  of  the  minute  adopted  yesterday  in  response 
to  the  telegraphic  message  received  from  the  Presbyterian  General 
Assembly  at  Pittsburg,  was  laid  before  the  Assembly. 

P.  634.  To  this  overture  the  following  rejDly  was  made:  There  is 
not  a  word  in  the  reply  of  the  General  Assembly  about  fraternal  cor- 
respondence or  any  other  kind  of  correspondence.  All  that  was  in- 
tended was  simply  Christian  salutation  or  greeting  from  this  Assembly 
to  the  (jne  at  Pittsburg. 

662.  Fnitermd  relations  established. 

1882,  p.  523.  A  resolution  was  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  W.  Pitzer, 
touching  the  matter  of  sending  delegates  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  session  at  Spiingfield,  111.,  and  expressive 


Sec,  662.]       Relations  or  the  Church  with  0th rr  Bodies.  493 

of  a  desire  to  co-operate  with  that  body  in  home  and  foreign  evan- 
gelization ;  which  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Foreign  Correspondence. 

This  committee  made  a  report,  which  was  discussed. 
P.  529.  Vai'ious  papers  relating  to  fraternal  relations  with  the 
Northern  General  Assembly  were  ofifered,  which,  together  with  the 
original  pajier  presented  by  the  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Cor- 
respondence, were  referred  to  said  committee;  and  to  this  committee 
were  added  the  names  of  A.  W.  Pitzer,  J.  H.  Wiggins,  R.  P.  Kerr,  E. 
P.  Palmer,  and  C.  F.  Collier. 

P.  530.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Corresiwndence  made 
a  report,  which  was  adopted  mianimously,  with  the  exception  of  tlu'ee 
dissenting  votes,  and  the  Assembly  then  united  in  prayer  and  thanks- 
giving for  the  tmaniuiity  thus  attained. 

The  report  is  as  fuUows : 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  CoiTespondence  report  to  the 
General  Assembly  that  four  overtures  have  been  placed  in  their  hands, 
viz. :  From  the  Presbyteries  of  Abingdon,  Holstou,  South  Alabama, 
and  Maryland:  also  a  resolution  offered  by  Rev.  A.  W.  Pitzer,  D.  D. 
The  object  of  all  these  overtures,  with  some  shght  difference  in  their 
forms  of  expression,  is  the  same.  They  desii'e  and  respectfully  request 
this  General  Assembly  to  establish  fully  and  formally  what  are  called 
"fraternal  relations"  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  by  sending  forthwith  a  dele- 
gate or  delegates  to  that  body,  now  in  session  at  Springfield,  111.  The 
resolution  referred  to  proposes  also  that  such  delegation  shall  convey  an 
expression  of  "our  willinguess  to  co-operate  with  that  body,  as  far  as 
practicable,  in  the  work  of  home  and  foreign  evangeHzation." 

After  the  most  careful  consideration  your  committee  have  been  able 
to  give  to  the  weighty  matters  involved,  they  recommend  to  the  Assem- 
bly the  adoption  of  the  following  paper : 

In  order  to  remove  aU  difficulties  in  the  way  of  that  full  and  formal 
fraternal  cori'espondence  which,  on  our  part,  we  are  prepai'ed  to  accept, 
we  adopt  the  following  minute: 

That,  while  receding  from  no  principle,  we  do  hereby  declare  our  re- 
gret for  and  withdrawal  of  all  expressions  of  our  Assembly  which  may 
be  regarded  as  reflecting  upon,  or  offensive  to,  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

liesolcecl.  That  a  copy  of  this  paper  be  sent  by  telegraph  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  now  in  session  at  Springfield,  111.,  for  their  prayerful 
consideration,  and,  tmitatis  mutandis,  for  their  reciprocal  conciUTeuce, 
as  affording  a  basis  for  the  exchange  of  delegates  forthwith. 

The  last  two  paragraphs  were  accordingly  telegraphed  immediatel}' 
to  the  Northern  Assembly. 

P.  541.  The  Assembly  met,  when  a  telegram  received  from  the 
Northern  General  Assembly  at  Springfield,  111.,  was  read,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

2'tf  tfiv  Gincral  AgseiiMj/  of  t/w  I'rtiibi/t<:ri<tu  Church  in  the  L' iiited SUites,  nt  AUmitii, 
Oa.,  from  tJie  General  AasemUy  oftlw  Presbyterian  Church  in  Uie  United  SUites 
of  Atnericn  : 

The  followiu-^  report  from  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  was  adopted  this 
morning :  The  moderator  is  instrncteil  to  telegi-aph  to  the  moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  session  ut  Atlanta,  that  his  tele<?ram  is  received  with  warm  enthusiasm 
by  this  .\ssembly ;  and,  in  order  to  remove  all  difficulties  in  the  way  of  that  full  and 


494  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

formal  fiiiternal  correspondence  between  the  two  Assemblies,  which  we  are,  on  our 
part,  prepared  to  accept,  we  adopt  the  following,  viz. :  Whilst  receding  from  no 
principle,  we  do  hereby  declare  our  regret  for,  and  withdrawal  of,  all  expressions 
of  our  Assembly  which  may  be  regarded  as  retiective  upon  or  offensive  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  we  renew  the 
expression  of  our  warm  fraternal  regard  for  all  who  compose  its  communion,  and 
our  readiness  to  exchange  delegates  forthwith.        Hekeiok  Johnson,  yfoderator. 

Also  an  unofficial  telegram  from  the  moderator  of  said  Assembly  to 
the  moderator  of  this  Assembly,  giving  information  touching  a  resolu- , 
tion  of  that  Assembly  to  the  effect  "that  in  the  action  now  being  taken 
we  disclaim  any  reference  to  the  actions  of  preceding  Assemblies  con- 
cerning lo^'alty  and  rebellion,  bi;t  we  refer  only  to  those  concerning 
schism,  heresy  and  blasphem}-." 

These  papers  were  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign 
Correspondence,  which  had  leave  to  retire  for  their  immediate  con- 
sideration. 

The  report  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  PubHcation  was  taken  up, 
and,  after  some  discussion,  the  further  consideration  was  suspended  to 
receive  a  report  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence,  which 
was  read  and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

7'>  the  General  Assembly  in  session  at  Springfield,  111.,  from  the  Gen- 
eral Asseyyibly  in  session  at  Atlanta,  Ga  : 

If  the  action  of  your  Assembly,  telegraphed  by  your  moderator  to 
our  moderator,  does  not  modify  the  concurrent  resolution  adopted  by 
your  Assembly  and  ours,  we  are  prepared  to  send  delegates  forthwith. 

P.  552.     The  following  telegram  was  received : 

"  SpRnsroFiELD,  III.,  3fay  27. 
"  7'o  the  Ge7ieral  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  United 
States,  at  A  tlanta,  Ga.  : 

"  The  action  referred  to  does  not  modify,  but  it  explains,  the  concm*- 
rent  resolution,  and  the  explanation  is  on  the  face  of  the  action.  There 
is  nothing  behind  it  or  between  the  lines.  The  dissolution  of  our  As- 
sembly is  near  at  hand.  We  may  be  ready  for  final  adjournment  this 
evening.  The  exchange  of  delegates  is  impossible  before  Tuesday. 
Shall  we  not  each  appoint  delegates  this  day  to  visit  the  respective  As- 
sembhes  next  year?  We  wait  your  answer  with  deep  and  prayerful 
interest.  Hereiok  Johnson,  Moderator. 

"  WiLLi.\M  H.  Roberts,  Clerk." 

P.  553.  The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  recommended 
the  following  telegram  in  reply: 

"Atlanta,  May  21th. 

"  Resolved,  1st,  That  this  Assembly  does  hereby  declare  its  entire 
satisfaction  with  the  full  and  explicit  terms  in  which  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
has  expressed  its  '  reciprocal  concurrence '  in  the  paper  transmitted  to  ^ 
said  Assembly  on  fraternal  correspondence. 

"  29id,  That  we  do  unfeignedly  rejoice  and  render  thanksgiving  to 
God  in  an  event  suited  to  take  away  the  reproach  of  alienation  between 
bodies  holding  the  same  standards  of  faith,  and  tending  to  bring  peace 
to  our  borders. 

"  3rd,  That  inasmuch  as  it  is  impracticable  at  this  date  to  have  an 
interchange  of  delegates,  the  Assembly  does  hereby  appoint  Eev.  Wm. 


Sec.  663. J         Rel.\tions  OF  THE  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  495 

Brown,  D.  D.,  Bev.  T.  A.  Hovt,  D.  D.,  and  Hon.  B.  M.  Estes,  princi- 
pals; and  Bev.  B.  B.  Farris,  D.  D.,  Bev.  H.  C.  Alexander,  D.  D.,  and 
Hon.  Batrick  Joyce,  alternates,  to  bear  to  the  next  General  Assembly 
of  the  Bresbvterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  our  cor- 
dial Christian  salutations." 

This  report  was  adopted,  with  four  dissenting  voices. 

B.  5C().  The  Assembly  met.  The  following  telegram  was  received 
fi-om  the  General  Assembly  at  Springfield,  111. : 

"  Springfield,  III.,  3fay  29,  1882. 

"  7"()  the  (reneral  Assembly  in  session  >tt  Atlanta,  Ga. : 

•'The  following  delegates  to  visit  the  General  Assembly  to  meet  in 
Lexington,  Ky.,  in  188H,  have  been  unanimously  elected  by  this  Assem- 
bly :  S.  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Thomas  S.  Hastings,  D.  D.,  Herrick  Jolmson, 
D.  D.,  E.  B.  Humphrey,  D.  D.,  S.  Iren;uus  Brime,  D.  D.,  Hon.  S.  M. 
Moore,  and  Hon.  William  Strong,  principals ;  and  Arthur  Mitchell, 
D.  D.,  and  Hon.  ^Yi]liam  E.  Dodge,  alternates.     See  Luke  ii.  14. 

"  Herrick  Johnson,  Moderator. 

"  W.  H.  BoHERTS,  Permanent  Clerk." 

663.    Fraternal  delegates  interchanged. 

1883,  J).  14.  The  commissions  of  delegates  from  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Bresbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  to  this 
Assembly"  were  read  by  the  stated  clerk,  and  were  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foreign  Correspondence. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed  to  wait  on  these  brethren  and 
introduce  them  to  the  Assembly.  Bev.  J.  J.  Bullock,  D.  D.,  Bev.  D.  O. 
Davies,  D.  D.,  Bev.  J.  B.  Stratton,  D.  D.,  and  Col.  J.  B.  Fitzgerald. 

B.  16.  The  Assembly  was  then  addressed  by  these  brethren  in  the 
following  order:  Hon.  S.  M.  Moore,  the  Bev.  S.  I.  Brime,  D.  D.,  the 
Bev.  S.  J.  :Niccolls,  D.  ]).,  the  Bev.  E.  B.  Humphrey,  D.  D.,  and  the 
Hon.  William  Strong. 

The  moderator  made  a  suitable  response  to  these  salutations,  after 
which  the  Assembly  joined  in  singing  the  hymn :  — 

' '  Blest  be  the  tie  tliat  biuds, 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love. " 

Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  A.  Hoj't,  D.  D.,  and  Hon.  Patrick  Joyce  at- 
tended the  Assembly  at  Saratof^n,  as  fraternal  delefT;ates  from  the  Southern  Assem- 
bly.    Their  report  is  found,  1884,  p.  201.     In  that  report,  they  say  : 

"  (3n  the  first  day  of  their  meeting  a  resolution  reciting  that  'some 
ditterences  of  opinion  have  been  manifested  concerning  the  true  import 
of  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  two  General  Assemblies  sitting  respec- 
tively in  Springfield,  111.,  and  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  asking  this  Assem- 
bly t(,)  explain  and  re-afiirm  that  resolution,  was  referred  to  a  committee 
consisting  of  Ministers  Howard  Crosby  and  Herrick  Johnson,  and  Elder 
Samuel  :\I.  Breckinridge.'  (Minutes,  1883,  p.  569.)  On  the  eighth  day 
the  following  report  was  made  and  imanimouslv  adopted  bv  the  Assem- 
bly: 

"  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  regarding  the 
meaning  of  the  deliverance  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1882,  in  behalf 
of  fraternal  relations  with  the  Bresbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
respectfully  report,  that  fraternal  relations  having  been  happily  estab- 


496  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

lished  between  the  two  Assemblies  upon  the  basis  of  the  withdrawal  of 
all  imputations  that  may  have  been  officially  made  on  either  side  against 
the  Christian  character  of  the  other,  no  fm'ther  action  of  this  Assembly 
is  necessary. 

"It  will  be  observed  that  this  paper  is  so  framed  as  to  give,  though 
somewhat  incidentally,  a  distinct  and  clear  interpretation  of  the  action 
of  their  Assembly  of  1882,  and  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  satisfactory 
to  all  in  our  own  communion  who  may  have  been  of  a  doubtful  mind." 

664.  Assembly  declines  to  re-open  the  question. 

1883,  p.  22.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  on 
certain  ovetures  as  to  correspondence  with  other  ecclesiastical  bodies 
was  taken  up,  and,  being  divided,  the  first  part  was  adopted  as  follows : 

The  following  overtures  have  been  considered,  viz. : 

From  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  asking  that  an  official  inter- 
pretation of  the  "  Herrick  Johnson  Eesolution  "  be  demanded. 

From  the  Presbytery  of  Torabeckbee,  asking  that  further  correspon- 
dence be  arrested  until  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  hindrances  has 
been  made. 

From  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel,  asking  that  the  Atlanta  fraternal 
delegation  be  instructed  not  to  enter  the  Northern  Assembly  until  the 
"  Concui'rent  Resolution  "  has  been  fully  complied  with 

From  the  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans,  asking  that  the  Atlanta  action 
be  reversed,  because  based  on  incomplete  information,  and  because  of 
its  divisive  effects  in  our  Church. 

In  reply  to  all  the  above,  the  following  answer  is  recommended,  viz. : 

While  recognizing  the  constitutional  right  of  the  Presbyteries  to 
protest  against  the  Assembly's  actions,  yet — 

First,  Inasmuch  as  the  sentiment  of  the  majority  of  the  Church 
seems  to  approve  of  the  object  had  vn,  view  by  the  Atlanta  Assembly ; 
and, 

Second,  Inasmuch  as  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  regard  the  es- 
tabUshment  of  fraternal  relations  on  the  basis  of  the  Atlanta  proposal 
as  a  settled  fact,  which  it  would  be  unwise  to  disturb :  therefore  this 
Assembly  considers  it  unnecessary  to  take  fui'ther  action. 

665.   Committee  of  inquiry  with  reference  to  organic  union  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

1887,  pp.  188,  200.  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D.,  offered  the  following 
paper,  which,  after  amendment,  was  adopted : 

Whereas  it  is  within  the  knowledge  of  this  Assembly  that  some  of 
our  Presbyteries  have  sent  up  overtures  or  other  papers  as  touching 
organic  imion,  co-operative  union,  or  any  other  relation  which  ought  to 
be  sustained  by  our  Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  special  committee,  consisting  of  one  minister  and 
one  ruling  elder  from  each  Synod,  be  appointed  by  the  moderator  when 
he  appoints  the  standing  committees,  to  which  special  committee  all 
these  overtures  and  papers  shall,  after  having  been  read  in  open  As- 
sembly, be  referred,  with  instructions  to  report  to  this  Assembly  as 
early  as  practicable. 

P.  190.  The  following  were  appointed  such  committee :  Rev.  R.  K. 
Smoot,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  M.  P.  Otts,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  S.  Van  Meter,  Rev.  T. 


Sec.  665.]  Relations  of  the  Cih.tkch  with  Other  Bodies.  497 

M.  Lowi-v,  Rev.  W.  F.  V.  Bartlett,  D.  D.,  Rev.  S.  C.  CaldweU,  Rev.  M. 
B.  Shaw,"  Rev.  W.  H.  Parks,  Rev.  J.  A.  Wallace,  Rev.  W.  H.  Davis,  Rev.- 
J.  G.  Richards,  Rev.  W.  H.  Crane,  Rev.  C.  R.  Vaughan,  D.  D.,  A.  S. 
Fletcher,  A.  W.  Diusmore,  L.  F.  Li^'ingston,  E.  G.  Buckner,  T.  J. 
Crawford,  J.  L.  Power,  J.  S.  McGee,  Geo.  G.  O'Brian,  A.  M.  M(;Pheeters, 
G.  L.  Riddle,  N.  Hart,  C.  L.  Arbuckle,  Win.  Withrijw. 

P.  207.  The  Special  Committee  on  Organic  Union,  etc.,  made  a 
majority  and  minority  report,  which  were  received,  ordered  to  be 
printed,  and  are  as  follows : 

The  majority  of  your  special  committee,  to  which  were  referred  all 
overtures  tmd  papers  touching  the  subject  of  organic  and  co-operative 
union,  and  aU  other  relations  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  respectfully  report  as  folloAvs  : 

Whereas  the  Synods  of  Missoui'i,  Arkansas,  and  Alabama,  embracing 
fifteen  Presbyteries,  have  taken  action  favoring  re-union  of  some  kind 
between  the  two  chui'ches  ;  and 

Whereas,  subsequent  thereto,  eight  Presbyteries,  to-wit :  St.  Johns, 
Upper  Missouri,  Chesapeake,  Missouri,  Holston,  Indian,  East  Alabama, 
and  Dallas,  have  manifested  special  interest  in  the  matter  by  overtiu-es 
or  resolutions  favoring  closer  relations  between  the  two  churches; 
while  from  only  live  Presbyteries  have  come  any  expression  of  dissent, 
and  that  chielly  against  organic;  union ;  therefore, 

Your  committee  recommend  that  a  committee  of  five  ministers  and 
five  riding  elders,  with  the  moderator  of  this  Assembly  added  thereto 
as  ex-ojficio  chairman,  be  appointed  by  the  present  moderator  of  tliis 
Assembly,  to  confer  with  any  like  committee  that  the  other  Assembly 
may  appoint  concerning  the  whole  subject  of  organic  imion,  co-opera- 
tive union,  and  any  other  relation  between  the  two  Assembhes,  and 
said  committee  be  directed  to  report  the  result  of  the  joint  conference 
to  the  General  Assembly  at  its  meeting  in  May,  1888,  for  approval  or 
disapproval.  And  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  take  and  main- 
tain the  following  positions : 

1.  The  mere  acceptance  of  the  common  standards  of  our  Church, 
Confession  of  Faith,  Shorter  and  Larger  Catechisms,  does  not,  in  our 
minds,  form  a  sufficient  basis  of  union ;  but  the  acceptance  of  that  pe- 
cuhar  mterpretation  of  our  standards  which  affii'ius  and  emphasizes 
the  purely  spiritual  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  forbids  her  legis- 
lating upon  political  and  civil  matters,  is  the  only  true  basis  of  union. 

2.  -Vnd  further,  we  insist  that  the  colored  brethren  within  our  bounds 
shall  be  organized  into  separate  congregations,  Presbj'teries,  and 
SyiKxls. 

Signed  by  W.  F.  V.  Bartlett  and  fifteen  others. 

The  minority  offered  a  substitute  for  this  majority  report.  In  its 
original  form  it  is  found  on  page  209 ;  as  afterward  verbally  changed, 
and  given  on  page  210,  it  is  as  follows : 

The  undersigned  members  of  your  special  committee,  appointed  to 
examine  and  report  upon  the  papei's  and  oveiiures  submitted  to  the 
General  Assembly  on  the  quest  it  )n  of  orj^anic  or  co-operative  union  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  are  of  the 
opinion  that  the  difficulties  in  the  way  are  numerous  and  serious. 

They  arise  mainly  out  of  the  fact  that  the  two  churches  are  not 
agreed  in  matters  of  either  principle  or  polity. 

No  suggestion  has  been  made,  or,  in  the  opinion  of  those  signing 

32 


498  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

this  paper,  can  be  made,  for  the  removal  of  this  most  serious  obstacle 
which  meets  us  at  the  very  opening  of  this  question. 

To  imite,  or  attempt  to  unite,  the  two  churches  on  any  compromise 
of  these  fimdamental  differences,  or  upon  any  general  statements,  such 
as  the  reception  of  the  standards  "  pure  and  simple,"  would  "  serve 
only  to  bring  together  those  who  could  not  act  in  harmony,  and  would 
perpetuate  strife  and  alienation." 

These  conclusions  have  been  reached  by  us  after  a  full  and  careful 
examination  of  the  whole  question  in  the  Ught  of  all  the  papers  sub- 
mitted for  our  consideration.  The  discussion  of  the  question  for  some 
time  past,  both  North  and  South,  has  made  it  equally  manifest  that 
the  further  agitation  of  this  question  would  liiuder  the  progress, 
weaken  the  efficiency,  and  endanger  the  unity  of  our  own  Church. 

Signed  by  E.  K.  Smoot  and  nine  others. 

Eev.  W.  H.  Parks,  a  member  of  the  committee,  brought  in  a  thii-d 
report,  signed  by  himself,  and  found  on  page  208.  After  verbal 
changes  had  been  made  in  the  minority  report,  he  withdrew  his  indi- 
vidual report  and  gave  in  his  adhesion  to  that  of  the  minority  (p.  216). 

Previous  to  the  discussion  of  these  reports.  Rev.  W.  E.  Coppedge  in- 
troduced a  substitute  for  the  minority  report,  which  substitute  is  found 
on  page  216,  declaring  in  substance  that  we  do  not  see  our  way  clear  to 
take  any  action  looking  toward  a  union  of  the  two  churches. 

Before  proceeding  to  consider  this  whole  question,  the  Assembly  was 
led  in  prayer  by  the  moderator  (p.  217). 

P.  220.  During  the  discussion  Mr.  Coppedge  obtained  leave  to  with- 
draw his  paper ;  whereupon  Col.  C.  F.  Collier  offered,  as  a  substitute 
for  the  minority  report,  a  paper  affirming — 

In  view  of  the  diversity  of  opinion  disclosed  by  the  discussion  on 
the  floor  of  this  General  Assembly  on  the  majority  and  minorit}^  re- 
ports of  the  Committee  on  Organic  Union  and  the  kindred  questions : 
Hesolved,  As  the  sense  of  this  Assembly,  it  is  inexpedient  to  take 
any  action  on  the  subject  of  organic  union  and  other  matters  kindred 
thereto.     Lost — aj-es,  45  ;  noes,  96. 

P.  222.  Rev.  P.  H.  Hoge  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute  for 
the  minority  report : 

Whereas  a  number  of  overtures  in  reference  to  closer  relations  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  have  come  up  to 
this  Assembly ;  and 

Whereas  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch  in  the 
United  States  of  America  has  just  adopted  the  deliverance  of  the  two 
Synods  of  Missouri  on  the  spirituality  of  the  Church ;  and 

Whereas  the  two  Assemblies  ought  to  labor  together  for  the  accom- 
phshment  of  the  great  object  they  have  in  view,  if  they  are  sufficiently 
agreed  in  their  principles  to  make  them  more  efficient  for  their  work 
united  than  they  now  are  divided;  and 

Whereas  the  recent  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  U.  S.  A.,  apparently  different  from  their  former  action  as 
to  the  spirituality  of  the  Chiirch,  makes  the  impression  on  the  minds  of 
many  of  our  people  that  one  obstacle  to  closer  relations  to  that  church 
has  been,  or  so(m  may  be,  removed ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  connnittee  of  four  ministers  and  four  ruling  elders, 
together  with  the  moderator,  be  appointed  to  meet  with  a  similar  com- 
mittee of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Cluu-ch  in  the 


Sec.  666.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  499 

United  States  of  America,  if  such  a  committee  shall  be  appointed,  for 
the  sole  pui'pose  of  inquiring  into  and  ascertaining  the  facts  as  to  the 
point  above  mentioned,  and  as  to  the  position  that  Assembly  proposes 
to  maintain  as  to  colored  churches,  ecclesiastical  boards,  and  any  other 
subjects  now  regarded  as  obstacles  in  the  way  of  united  effort  for  the 
propagatit)n  of  the  gospel,  and  report  these  facts  to  the  next  General 
Assembly  for  such  action  as  they  may  warrant.  Adopted — ayes,  83 ; 
noes,  58. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Otts,  the  same  pai)er  was  adopted  as  a  substitute 
for  the  majority  report — ayes,  95 ;  noes,  46. 

This  paper  being  then  directly  before  the  Assembly,  was  adopted  by 
the  following  vote:  Ayes;  80;  noes,  57. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  foregoing  paper  be  telegraphed  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch,  U.  S.  A. 

The  following  resolutions,  which  were  lost,  were  admitted  to  record: 

1.  Oft'ered  by  Mr.  C.  F.  Collier:  "That  so  much  of  the  paper  ap- 
pointing a  committee  of  inquiry  as  is  prefatory  be  stricken  out,  and 
that  it  read,  '  Resolved,  that  a  committee  be  ajipointed  to  meet  with  a 
similar  committee.'  "  etc. 

2.  Offered  by  Dr.  S.  A.  King :  "  That  this  whole  matter  be  referred 
to  the  Presbyteries,  that  they  may  consider  and  report  to  the  next  As- 
sembly, in  order  that  in  this  way  the  mind  of  the  whole  Church  may  be 
ascertained." 

P.  232.  The  Nortlieru  Assembly,  in  session  at  Omaha,  appointed  a  committee  of 
conference,  without  si^eoilic  instructions,  except  to  report  their  action  to  our  next 
Assembly  for  approval.     Notice  of  this  action  was  telegraphed  to  our  Assembly. 

P.  249.  The  following,  with  the  moderator,  Rev.  G.  B.  Strickler,  D.  D., 
constitute  the  Committee  of  Inquiry:  M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D.,  Richmond, 
Va. ;  J.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  ClarksviUe,  Tenn. ;  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  D.  D., 
LouisviUe,  Ky. :  W.  F.  Junkin,  I).  D.,  Charieston,  S.  C. ;  W.  M.  McPhee- 
ters,  M.  D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo  ;  P.  H.  Carter,  Abilene,  Texas ;  R.  T.  Simp- 
son, Florence,  Ala. :  W.  S.  Primi'ose,  Raleigh,  N.  C. 

It  was  ordered  that  five  members  of  this  committee  shall  constitute 
a  quorum. 

Pp.  200,  211.  While  the  Assembly's  committee  was  yet  deliberating, 
and  before  it  had  reported,  there  was  referred  to  it  an  official  telegram 
from  the  Omaha  Assembly,  annoimcing  that  that  Assembly  had  imani- 
mously  adopted  the  Declaration  of  Principles  adopted  by  the  Synod  of 
Missouri  at  its  session  of  1880;  also,  a  communication  from  the  stated 
clerk  of  the  Northern  Assembly,  the  same  being  a  paper  adt)pted  one 
year  ago  by  that  Assembly  on  conference  with  other  Presbyterian 
churches  with  reference  to  co-operation  and  unity  of  effort  and  action, 
particularly  in  the  foreign  field  (p.  11)2).  This  latter  paper  was  referred 
to  the  Committee  of  Imiuiry,  appointed  above  (p.  228). 

(!()().  Mode  of  correspondence. 

1877,  }).  441.  iiesolve.d.  That  in  accordance  with  the  strongly  ex- 
pressed desires  of  a  number  of  our  Presbyteries,  some  of  them  amongst 
tlie  largest,  the  Assembly  will,  after  the  present  year,  hold  its  corres- 
pondence with  all  the  churches  with  whom  we  maintain  that  sort  of  re- 
lations by  letters  instead  of  deputations,  always  excepting  the  Reformed 
Church,  with  which  we  are  united  in  peculiar  co-operative  alliance. 
The  Assembly  will  hereafter  appoint  amongst  its  standing  committees 


500  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

a  committee  of  correspondence,  who  shall  prepare  a  communication,  to 
be  sent  by  us  to  other  chru'ches,  and  does  hereby  invite  all  churches 
with  whom  we  are  or  may  be  in  correspondence  to  commimicate  with 
us  in  tliis  form. 

1879,  p.  23.  The  following  was  adopted :  The  Committee  on  Foreign 
Correspondence  would  declare  for  the  Assembly  that,  in  determining 
no  longer  to  send  delegates  to  corresponding  bodies  (always  excej^ting 
the  Reformed  Chiu'ch,  with  which  we  are  in  co-operative  alliance),  it 
was  by  no  means  the  intention  to  affect  the  action  of  these  bodies  in 
the  matter.  One  reason  for  our  action  was  our  poverty.  But  the  As- 
sembly is  dehghted  to  receive  delegations  whenever  sent  to  us,  and 
cordially  invites  Rev.  E.  H.  Caldwell,  the  delegate  to  this  body  from 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  CJhurch,  to  address  us  this  morning  at 
12  o'clock. 

1883,  p.  49.  The  usual  method  of  correspondence  by  letter  between 
this  General  Assembly  and  other  ecclesiastical  bodies  shall  hereafter 
include  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Chui'ch  in  America  and 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  with  the  exception,  however,  that  delegates  be  appointed 
by  this  Assembly  to  these  bodies  at  their  next  ensuing  sessions,  in  1883 
and  1884  respectively,  to  convey  our  most  cordial  Christian  and  frater- 
nal salutations ;  these  delegates  being  instrvicted  to  state  to  them  this 
method  of  correspondence  hereafter  by  letter  as  adopted  by  this  body, 
with  the  hoj)e  that  it  may  meet  with  their  co-operation ;  and  that  the 
special  attention  of  the  Presbyteries  be  called  to  this  action  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  for  an  expression  of  their  opinion  on  the  mode  of  cor- 
resjDondence  for  the  future. 

This  action  was  iu  response  to  overtures  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Tuskaloosa, 
Florida,  Transylvania,  West  Hanover,  Savannah,  South  Carolina,  Louisiana  and 
Harmony,  asking  that  all  correspondence  with  other  ecclesiastical  bodies  be  con- 
diicted  by  letter.  The  Committee  on  Correspondence  recommended  that  the  As- 
sembly grant  the  request  asked  in  the  overtures.  Kev.  J.  J.  Bullock,  D.  D. ,  offered 
a  substitute,  j)roviding  that,  under  the  circumstances,  and  to  avoid  the  api^earance 
of  discourtesy,  this  Assembly  deems  proper  that,  for  the  i^resent,  delegates  be  com- 
missioned to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  (p.  22,  Minutes  of  1883).  The  paper  adopted  was  offered  as  a  substi- 
tute for  both  papers,  and  was  generally  spoken  of  as  the  Hemphill  substitute. — A. 

P.  59.     The  following  paper  of  reasons  was  admitted  to  record : 
We,  the  undei-signed,  voted  against  the  substitute  presented  by  Pro- 
fessor HemphiU  for  the  following  reasons : 

I.  Because  one  more  interchange  of  delegates  is  unnecessary  to  pre- 
vent misconception.     Om*  acts  are  above  suspicion. 

II.  Because  it  bases  the  Assembly's  action  on  a  wrong  principle,  as  it 
seems  to  condition  onr  course  upon  the  co-operation  of  the  Northern 
Church. 

III.  Because  the  substitute  conflicts  with  the  policy  of  our  Church, 
settled  at  New  Orleans.  The  Atlanta  delegation  was  understood  by 
many  to  be  a  single  exception  to  the  rule. 

IV.  Because  it  continues  the  agitation  of  the  whole  subject,  by  in- 
viting discussion  in  the  Presbyteries. 

J.  Wm.  Fijnn,  J.  Adger  Smyth, 

J.  P.  Gammon,  W.  E.  Lyman, 

D.  Wyatt  Aiken,  J.  D.  HuTcmNSoN, 

H.  G.  Gilland,  D.  W.  Pipes, 

A.  li.  Banks,  J.  L.  Curry. 


Secs  667,  668.]  Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  501 

1884,  p.  251.  In  response  to  the  overture  involved  in  the  above  ac- 
tion, the  Presbyteries  voted  as  follows :  B3'  letter,  37  ;  by  delegates,  18  ; 
leave  the  question  to  the  Assembly,  3 ;  no  answer,  5. 

1884,  p.  20G.  The  Northern  Assembly  sent  a  telegi'am  to  the  effect 
that  it  had  unanimously  resolved  to  continue  correspondence  with  oiu' 
Assembly  by  delegates. 

P.  243.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  made 
a  report.  A  minority  report  Avas  also  presented,  which  latter  report, 
by  a  vote  of  48  to  42,  ^^as  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

Hesolved,  That,  in  regard  to  correspondence  Avith  other  rehgious 
bodies,  this  Assembly  adheres  to  the  position  taken  by  the  General 
Assemblv  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  at  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,"^in  May,  1883. 

The  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  was  instructed  to  pre- 
pare a  telegram  to  the  General  Assembly  at  Saratoga,  to  inform  it  of 
the  action  of  this  Assembly  in  regard  to  the  manner  of  correspondence 
between  the  two  bodies. 

667.   Ai)iencU/i(/  the  proinsions  of  the  constitution  as  to  the  powers  of 
the  Assembly  to  establish  union,  correspondence,  etc. 

1883,  pp.  40,  54.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  presented 
a  report  on  the  following  overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of  Mecklen- 
burg: 

"In  view  of  the  uncertainty  and  ambiguity  of  our  present  law  upon 
the  subject  of  the  power  of  the  Assembly  in  setthng  the  terms  of  cor- 
respondence, co-operation,  and  organic  union  with  other  churches,  the 
Assembly  is  asked  to  send  down  to  the  Presbyteries  an  amendment  to 
the  constitution  which  shall  prohibit  the  Assembly  from  finally  con- 
cluding the  terms  or  basis  of  correspondence,  co-operation,  or  organic 
union  with  other  churches  unless  a  previous  Assembly  shall  have 
agi'eed  to  the  same,  and  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries  have  concurred 
therein." 

Your  committee  would  recommend  the  following  amendment  to  be 
sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries  for  adoption,  viz. :  In  the  Book  of 
Church  Order,  Chaji.  V.,  Sec.  VI.,  Art.  V.,  instead  of  the  words,  "To 
correspond  with  other  churches,''  insert  the  following,  riz. :  "  To  cor- 
respond, co-operate  or  ffo  into  organic  union  inith  other  churches,  after 
tioo-thirds  of  the  Pres/fi/t cries  have  agreed  tliereto." 

1884,  p.  251.  Eighteen  Presbyteries  ansAver  in  the  affirmative,  six- 
teen in  the  negative,  twenty-five  give  modified  ansAvers,  approAing  only 
of  parts  of  the  overtui'e,  and  one  dechnes,  on  constitution  id  grounds,  to 
act. 

1887,  p.  207.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  asking 
that  the  vote  of  tAvo-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries  be  required  to  form  or- 
ganic union  Avith  other  Churches. 

Ansirer:  (p.  231)  The  Assembly  dechnes  to  send  down  the  proposed 
amendment. 

668.  Provincial  Assemblies. 

1883,  p.  57.  Ovei-tm"e  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  asking  this 
Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  of  conference  to  confer  Avith  a  simi- 
lar one  from  the  Ntn'them  Church,  on  the  propriety  of  re-aiTanging  the 


502  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

territoiy  of  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  in  this  covmtiy  so  as  to  form  three 
or  four  Provincial  Assembhes,  and  a  General  Presbyterian  Council, 
composed  of  an  equal  niurber  of  representatives  from  each  Provincial 
Assembly,  this  council  to  meet  every  three  or  four  years. 

Your  committee  recommend  the  following  answer:  This  Assembly 
judges  that  the  providence  of  God  does  not  indicate  the  time  to  be  yet 
ripe  for  such  action. 

669.  Preservation  of  our  identity  and  independe?ice  as  a  denomination. 

1865,  p.  358.  Overture  from  the  Sjoiod  of  South  CaroUna,  declaring 
in  substance  its  continued  approval  of  the  course  adopted  by  the  South- 
ern Presbyteries  in  organizing  this  General  Assembly;  declaring  its 
purpose  to  adhere  with  renewed  energy  and  affection  to  our  own 
cherished  denomination ;  extending  a  welcome  to  our  communion  and 
fellowship  to  all  who  cordially  adopt  our  [standards  and  sympathize 
with  us  m  our  j)rinciples  as  to  the  province  of  the  Church ;  and  warn- 
ing our  churches  against  aU  schismatical  intruders.  The  Assembly  ex- 
pressed its  agreement  with  the  Synod  in  these  views. 

1882,  p.  567.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly'  does  at  this  time  sol- 
emnly declare  its  conviction,  that  the  gTeat  Head  of  the  Church  in  his 
wise  and  gracious  providence  did  raise  up  this  branch  of  his  kingdom, 
and  entrusted  to  it  a  great  and  special  work,  and  has  in  her  past  his- 
tory set  his  seal  of  approbation  on  her  in  that  measure  of  success  which 
he  has  heretofore  granted  her  in  the  execution  of  the  special  work  ■mih. 
which  he  has  honored  her ;  and  inasmuch  as  her  special  work  is  not  yet 
fully  accomplished,  and  her  testimony  not  yet  fully  dehvered,  this  As- 
sembly does  further  solemnly  declare  that  it  is  oui'  high  and  sacred 
duty  to  preserve  our  individuality  as  a  church  entire  and  intact,  and 
to  encourage  no  tendencies  looking  toward  blending  this  body  into  any 
other. 

670.    Organic  union,  irith  the  Presbyterian  Church,  North. 

1883,  j^p.  40,  54.  In  response  to  overture  from  the  Presbyteiy  of 
Upper  Missouri  in  regard  to  the  appointment  of  a  committee  by  this 
General  Assembly  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  from  the  North- 
ern General  Assembly  in  reference  to  organic  union,  your  committee 
would  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  answer,  viz. :  This  Gen- 
eral Assembly  declines  to  appoint  a  committee  for  the  purpose  stated. 
Adopted. 

P.  57.  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  asking  to  reject 
proposals  for  organic  union  with  the  Northern  Church  as  impossible, 
because  of  divergent  views  on  vital  doctrines,  and  because  such  union 
would  involve  a  surrender  of  truth  on  our  part. 

Your  committee  would  recommend  the  following  answer,  viz. :  "  The 
question  of  organic  union  is  not  to  be  entertained  as  a  subject  before 
the  Church." 

See  also  the  following  section  on  co-operative  work. 

671.    Conference  on  co-operation. 

1881,  p.  389.  An  overture  from  the  Synod  of  Texas,  asking  this  As- 
sembly to  request  the  Noi-thern  Assembly  to  appoint  a  committee  to 


Sec.  671.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  503 

confer  with  one  t(j  be  appointed  by  this  Assembly  about  the  territory 
in  Texas,  so  as  to  avoid  conflict  in  labors. 

Ansicer:  The  Assembly  would  exjoress  its  earnest  desire  that  breth- 
ren in  Texas,  from  the  Northern  and  Southern  chvu'ches,  should  en- 
deavor to  avoid  interfering  with  one  another  in  their  church  work,  and 
cultivate  j^eace ;  but  would  refer  to  our  Presbyteries  aU  practical  propo- 
sitions for  the  cultivation  of  their  fields ;  and  Avould  have  the  Synod  of 
Texas,  in  a  way  merely  advisory,  do  all  which  it  can  to  promote  charity 
and  edification. 

1883,  p.  19.  A  communication  from  the  Assembly  in  session  at 
Saratoga  was  received  by  telegraph,  as  follows : 

"Sakatoga,  May  21st,  1883. 
''To  the  Oeiicral  Assembly  in  session  at  Lexington,  Ky.: 

' '  The  f ollowiug  action  was  taken  this  morning : 

'  'Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  seven  (7)  be  appointed  by  this  General  Assembly, 
to  confer  with  a  similar  committee,  if  it  shall  be  appointed  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  now  in  session  in  Lexington, 
Ky.,  in  regard  to  any  plan  or  method  of  co-operation  in  any  part  of  the  great  work 
that  the  Master  has  laid  upon  his  servants,  and  which  it  might  ajipear  could  be 
more  effectually  accomplished  by  cordial  and  friendly  co-operation  than  by  sepa- 
rate and  independent  action ;  and  that  these  committees  report  the  result  of  their 
deliberations  to  their  respective  Assemblies  in  1884. 

"Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  Moderator. 

"Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Permanent  Clerk." 

P.  57.  It  Avas  resolved  that  a  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  by 
this  Assembly,  to  confer  with  a  like  committee  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  regard  to  any  plans  or  methods  looking  to  the  more  suc- 
cessful conduct  of  the  work  of  the  Church  in  such  regions  and  concern- 
ing such  interests  as  are  more  or  less  common  to  the  two  churches,  and 
that  this  committee  report  to  our  next  Assembly.  The  following  com- 
mittee was  appointed:  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  Douglas,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Dodge,  Rev.  R.  P.  Farris,  D.  D.,  Jas.  D.  Armstrong,  T.  H.  Roe, 
Patrick  Joyes.  Alternates:  James  Park,  D.  D.,  C.  H.  Dobbs,  W.  W. 
Robertson,  ]).  D.,  F.  Fentress,  W.  M.  McPheeters,  Glass  Marshall,  Jas. 
V.  Brooke. 

P.  50.  A  paper  read  by  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D.,  was  refen*ed  to 
this  concurrent  committee. 

1884,  p.  108.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assem- 
bly to  confer  with  a  committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
b}i;erian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  reference  to  some 
plan  of  co-operation  between  the  two  churches,  presented  a  report, 
which  having  been  read,  Nvas  referred  to  a  committee  of  one  member 
from  each  synod,  viz. :  E.  Daniel,  Wm.  Irvine,  R.  Q.  Baker,  G.  L.  Ley- 
bum,  J.  H.  Bryson,  J.  M.  Brown,  J.  R.  Wilson,  James  Piu-k,  T.  N. 
Martin.  J.  N.  Withers,  W.  D.  Paden,  Wm.  Snowden. 

P.  219.  A  report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  "Co-operative  Work" 
was  presented,  and  was  adopted  unanimously  by  a  rising  vote  of  the 
Assembly.     The  report  is  as  follows : 

The  committee  to  whom  has  been  referred  the  matter  of  co-operation 
between  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and 
the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  in  the  United  States  would  respectfully  sub- 
mit to  the  General  Assembly  the  following  report : 

The  papers  placed  in  the  hands  of  your  committee  ai'e  three  in  num- 


504  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

ber :  1,  An  ovei*ture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  to  the  effect  that 
this  General  Assembly  shall  "not  adopt  the  plan  for  the  joint  occupancy 
of  the  Danville  Theological  Seminary,  recommended  by  the  committees 
of  conference  of  the  two  Assemblies;"  2,  An  overture  from  the  Tran- 
sylvania Presbj^tery  to  the  same  effect,  v^^ith  the  additional  formal  re- 
quest that  the  Assembly  shall  "  give  such  shape  to  its  action  as  shall 
tend  to  settle  permanently  this  and  kindred  questions,  including  that 
of  organic  union;"  3,  The  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  conference 
of  the  joint  committees  at  Louisville,  November  1,  1883,  with  the  re- 
marks prefators'  thereto  submitted  by  the  chairman  of  the  Southern 
committee. 

All  of  these  papers  referred  to  your  committee  have  received  its  care- 
ful consideration.  It  will  be  seen  that  action  upon  the  first  and  second 
vpill  be  essentially  included  in  whatever  action  may  be  taken  upon  the 
third ;  and  to  this  attention  may  be  immediately  directed. 

Upon  examination  it  does  not  appear  from  this  paper  that,  b}^  any 
formal  ac  t  of  the  8  >utbern  committee,  it  was  ever  adopted  at  a  regular 
meeting  of  that  committee,  and  ordered  by  it  to  be  forwarded  to  this 
Assembly  as  its  report.  The  document,  however,  does  contain  a  "  cer- 
tified copy  "  of  the  proceedings  of  the  joint  conference ;  and  your  com- 
mittee, waiving  the  informahty  of  the  paper,  addressed  themselves  to 
the  consideration  of  its  matter. 

The  substantive  propositions  contained  in  it  are  three,  viz. : 

1.  The  first  is  the  recommendation  concerning  the  joint  occupancy 
of  Danville  Seminary,  which  is  as  follows  :  "  An  equal  joint  use  and  oc- 
cupancy of  the  Seminary  by  the  two  branches  of  the  Church  (Northern 
and  Southern),  by  the  appointment  of  an  equal  number  of  directors 
and  trustees  from  each  branch,  and  giving  to  the  Southern  branch  at 
least  an  equal  number  of  professors.  Should  additional  f luids  be  raised 
for  the  fiu-ther  endowment  of  the  institution,  each  body  shall  have  ab- 
solute control  of  the  funds  raised  by  itself,  using  only  the  income  from 
each  fund  for  the  support  of  the  Seminary,"  and  "that  the  occupancy 
be  in  perpetuit}^  and  that  the  Seminary  be  removed  to  Louisville." 

2.  The  second  is  the  recommendation  with  reference  to  a  plan  of  co- 
operation in  Home  Missions,  to-wit :  that  each  Assembly  adopt  a  con- 
cm-rent  resolution  as  follows :  "  This  Assembly,  while  asserting  its 
right  to  labor  in  every  part  of  our  common  country,  would  most  earn- 
estly enjoin  those  charged  with  the  direction  of  Home  Mission  work, 
that  they  see  that  nothing  be  done  through  strife  or  vain  glorj^ ;  that, 
in  prosecuting  this  work,  the  interest  of  the  other  Assembly  already  in 
occupancy,  either  with  an  organized  church  or  missionary  labor,  shall 
be  most  carefuUy  respected,  and  that  the  matter  of  consolidating  feeble 
churches  and  cases  of  disagreement,  threatening  the  distiu'bance  of 
fraternal  relations,  shall  be  referred  to  a  joint  commission  of  the  Pres- 
byteries having  jurisdiction." 

3.  The  third  recommendation  is  that  respecting  "  comity  in  matters 
of  discipline,"  namely,  that  a  concin-rent  resolution  be  adopted  to  this 
effect :  "Jiesolved,  That  this  General  Assembly,  as  a  matter  of  comity 
between  oiu*  own  Chiirch  and  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Chvu'ch,  grow- 
ing out  of  the  fraternal  relations  so  recently  established,  enjoin  upon 
our  church  sessions,  Presbyteries,  and  Synods,  that  they  have  due  re- 
gard to  the  discipHne  of  all  the  sessions.  Presbyteries,  and  Synods  of 
that  church,  and  mutatis  mutandis." 


Sec.  671.]        Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  505 

Youi-  committee  urge  that,  because  of  insuperable  practical  difficulty, 
the  first  recommendatioii  be  not  adopted. 

With  respect  to  the  second,  your  committee  report  that  they  beheve 
it  impossible  to  devise  any  specific  plan  of  co-operation  in  Home  ]Mis- 
sions  which  shall  be  universally  apphcable  throughout  the  Church,  and 
they  therefore  recommend  that  no  such  plan  be  adopted  by  this  As- 
sembly, but  that  the  Assembl}-  be  content  to  leave  this  whole  matter 
to  the  working  of  those  broad  principles  of  justice  and  Christian 
charit}'  which  alone  will  restrain  either  church  from  encroaching  upon 
the  natural  territory  of  the  other.  In  the  judgment  of  yom*  committee, 
if  these  principles  are  not  adequate  to  the  securing  of  harmony  between 
the  two  chui-ches,  then  that  result  can  never  be  attained  by  the  mere 
adoption  of  any  plan  of  co-operatiim. 

With  regard  to  the  third,  it  is  hereby  reconnnended  that  this  Assem- 
bly adopt  the  concurrent  resolution  with  reference  to  "  comity  in  mat- 
ters of  discipline.'" 

Kespecting  that  part  of  the  overture  of  the  Presbyteiy  of  Transyl- 
vania which  urges  this  Assembly  to  "  give  such  shape  to  its  action  as 
shall  tend  to  settle  permanently  "  the  question  of  "  organic  union,"  your 
committee  make  answer  that  no  such  action  is  necessaiy,  for  the  reason 
that  we  regard  the  mind  of  the  Chm-ch  as  fully  expressed  against  or- 
ganic union  by  the  action  of  former  Assemblies.  (See  ^Minutes  of  As- 
sembly of  1882,  pages  5(57  and  568,  and  Minutes  of  1883,  pages  57 
and  58.)  Eugene  Daniel,  Cliairman. 

The  ineetiug  of  these  joint  committees  was  held  iu  the  parlor  of  the  Gait  House, 
Louisville,  Ky.,  November  1st,  2d,  and  3d,  1883.  The  committee  appointed  by  the 
Northern  Assembly  consisted  of  liev.  Messrs.  8.  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  E.  P.  Hum- 
phrey, D.  D.,  Thos.  J.  Lamar,  Edward  B.  Wright.  1).  D.,  and  Elders  Wm.  B.  Neg- 
ley,  Samuel  M.  Moore,  and  O.  Beatty.  These  w  ere  all  present,  as  were  also  all  the 
membei-s  of  the  Southern  committee,  except  Judge  Armstrong.  Dr.  Hiimphrey 
was  chosen  chairman,  and  ilessrs.  Dodge  and  l^eatty  clerks. 

With  reference  to  the  first  recommendation  above,  i.  c,  that  looking  to  joint  oc- 
cupancy and  use  of  Dau^dlle  Seminary,  the  minutes  of  the  conference  show  that  the 
proposition  was  brought  before  the  conference  by  a  resolution  of  the  Saratoga  As- 
sembly pro^josiug  such  joint  occupancj%  and  referred  by  that  Assembly  to  the  Com- 
mittees of  Conference  for  action.  This  it  did,  exi^ressing  "  the  earnest  hope  that 
an  adjustment  may  be  made,  which,  while  securing  every  legal  right,  shall  have 
high  regard  to  those  fraternal  relations  whfch  have  been  so  ha^jpily  established." 

The  condition  that  the  occupancy  be  iu  perpetuity,  and  that  the  Seminary  be  re- 
moved to  Louisville,  was  required  by  the  Southern  committee,  and  acceded  to  by 
the  Northern  committee.  The  Southern  committee  expressed  the  opinion  that  the 
prosperity  of  the  Semiuarj'  would  be  more  certainly  secured,  and  more  largely  ad- 
vanced, by  being  in  the  full  control  of  the  Southern  Church. 

The  second  recommendation,  i.  c,  that  looking  to  the  appointment  of  joint  com- 
missions of  Presbyteries  having  jurisdiction  for  the  consolidating  of  feeble  churches 
and  adjusting  matters  of  disagreement,  was  oflfered  by  Dr.  Fanis,  jis  a  substitute 
for  a  paper  originally  proposed  by  Dr.  Niccolls  and  amended  by  the  Southern 
comnmtee. 

The  third  recommendation,  that  in  reference  to  comity  in  matters  of  discipline, 
is  substantially  the  proposition  introduced  iu  the  Lexington  Assembly  by  Dr.  Smoot, 
and  referred  by  the  Assembly  to  the  joint  Committee  of  Conference 

The  Northern  coumiittee  stated  to  the  joint  committee  that  they  felt  constrained 
to  report  to  their  .\ssembly  that  iu  their  judgment  the  only  effectual  method 
of  removing  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  co-opcratiou  is  through  organic  union  be- 
tween these  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  asked  the  Southern 
committee  to  make  a  similar  representation  to  their  General  Assembly.  The  South- 
ern committee  replied  that  the  action  of  the  As.sembly  of  1883,  p.  57,  was  such  as 
estopped  them  from  considering  the  matter  of  organic  union. 

Dr.  Smoot  dissented  from  the  recommendation  relative  to  the  joint  occupancy  of 


506  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VIL 

Danville  Seminary,  and  recorded  his  earnest  and  solemn  protest,  giving  five  reasons, 
in  substance  as  follows : 

1.  That  the  recommendation  conveyed  no  recognition  on  the  part  of  the  Northern 
Assembly  of  any  equitable  right  inhering  in  the  Sonthern  Church  to  any  share  in 
the  endowments  and  emoluments  of  the  institution  in  question.  The  course  recom- 
mended was  inconsistent  with  the  dignity  and  self-respect  of  the  Southern  Church, 
in  that  it  would  involve  the  becoming  a  mere  tenant  at  will  in  the  occupancy  of  the 
property,  as  the  property  of  another  to  which  it  has  equitable,  equal  and  inalien- 
able right. 

2.  Such  a  joint  usage  coiild  only  result  in  hiuniliating  disappointment  and 
failure. 

3.  The  adoption  of  this  course  woiild  inflict  a  serious  injury  upon  all  the  interests 
of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  especially  ujdou  its  evangelistic  and  educational  enter- 
prises; e.  g.,  upon  Central  Universitj'.  Such  is  the  judgment  of  some  of  the  fore- 
most men  of  the  Synod.  The  course  proposed  would  inevitably  prove  the  entering 
wedge  to  division  and  strife  within  the  bosom  of  our  Church. 

4.  The  acceptance  of  this  proposition  by  our  Assembly  would  effectually  forestall 
and  estop  plans  already  on  foot  for  the  establishment,  at  some  point  in  the  South- 
west, of  a  theological  seminary,  under  the  immediate  and  exclusive  control  of  our 
own  Church. 

5.  It  would  not  be  politic  or  safe  for  our  Assembly  to  form  an  alliance  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  theological  institution  iipon  any  terms  in  which  there  might  be  a 
single  professor  who  is  not  amenable  to  one  of  the  Presbyteries  of  our  own  Church, 
and  through  that  Presbytery  to  our  own  Assembly,  upon  any  charge  of  heresy  or 
latitudinarianism  in  doctrine. 

The  joint  committee,  as  a  reply  to  the  tirst  reason  given  above,  declared  that  it 
was  not  a  tenancy  at  will,  but  a  permanent  joint  tenancy,  that  was  proposed. — A. 

672.    General  Presbyterian  Alliance. 

1874,  p.  483.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  certain  papers 
relating  to  a  General  Presbyterian  Coimcil  was  appointed,  to  consist  of 
Eev.  W.  S.  Plumer,  D.  D.,  H.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  J.  B.  Stratton,  D.  D., 
D.  H.  Bishop,  and  C.  F.  Colher. 

P.  518.  The  report  of  the  committee  concerning  a  General  Presby- 
terian Council  was  taken  up,  and,  after  discussion,  the  following  sub- 
stitute, offered  by  Eev.  H.  M.  Smith,  D.  D.,  was  adopted: 

In  answer  to  the  overture  from  a  committee  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and 
from  ministers  of  other  Presbyterian  chm'ches,  touching  a  conference 
of  representatives  of  the  various  Presbyterian  bodies  throughout  the 
world,  with  a  view  of  "  coming  into  formal  communion  with  each  other, 
and  of  promoting  great  causes  by  joint  action,"  this  Assembly  respect- 
fully submits  that  we  most  heartily  sympathize  with  every  deeire  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Nevertheless,  in 
forming  relations  with  other  bodies,  we  are  to  be  governed  by  our 
recognized  principles  of  government.  We  must,  therefore,  respectfully 
decline  this  retjuest,  since,  in  our  judgment,  church  courts,  as  such, 
cannot  recognize  the  principle  of  an  irresponsible  alliance.  The  only 
question  we  can  properly  consider  is  the  principle  of  co-ordination  with 
courts  constituted  according  to  our  Presbyterian  form  of  government. 

1875,  p.  46.  Overtures  from  the  Presb^'teries  of  Louisville,  Florida, 
Lexington,  and  East  Hanover.  These  overtures  concur  in  asking  this 
Assembly  to  revoke  the  action  of  the  last  in  regard  to  the  proposed 
confederation  of  Presbyterian  churches,  and  to  adopt  measures  favor- 
able to  that  scheme. 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  appoint  a  committee  on  the  confeder- 
ation of  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  world,  with  authority  to  corre- 
spond with  similar  committees  of  othei-  Presbyterian  bodies  in  refer- 


Sec.  672.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  507 

ence  to  the  constitution  to  be  j^roposed  for  such  a  General  Council ; 
and  if  the  committee  deem  it  wise  and  practicable,  appoint  a  delegate 
or  delegates  to  the  proposed  conference,  to  be  held  in  London,  on  the 
-   dav  of  Jiilv,  1875. 

The  Revs.  "Stuart  Robinson,  D.  D.,  J.  A.  Lefe\Te,  D.  D.,  W.  U. 
Murkland,  and  J.  A.  Inglis  were  appointed  the  committee  under  the 
abf)ve  resolution. 

1870,  p.  204.  The  Rev.  Stuart  Robinson,  from  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  last  Assembly  in  relation  to  a  proposed  confederation  of 
Presbyterian  churches  of  the  world,  made  a  report,  and  also  another  re- 
port concerning  his  attendance  as  a  delegate  upon  the  meeting  of  the 
Presbyterian  Alliance  in  London  last  July. 

These  reports  were  received  and  were  considered  at  length  in  con- 
nection ^^^th  certain  overtiu'es  bearing  on  the  same  subject.  Where- 
upon the  following  from  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtm'es  was 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  78  to  89 : 

P.  225.  Overtures  No.  1,  from  Transylvania  Presbyteiy,  expressing 
the  hope  that  the  General  Assembly  will  decline  to  enter  the  proposed 
Council.  No.  2,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Louisiana,  asking  the  Assem- 
bly to  reconsider  the  subject  of  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council,  and,  if 
it  seems  best  to  them,  to  repeal  the  resolutions  passed  at  the  St.  Louis 
Assembly.  No.  3,  fi-om  the  Presbytery  of  ^Memphis,  approving  the  ac- 
tion of  the  last  General  Assembly  in  appointing  a  committee  on  the 
confederation  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  world,  and  express- 
ing the  wish  that  all  needful  steps  be  taken  to  put  in  operation  the 
plan  adopted  in  July,  1875,  by  the  delegates  assembled  in  council. 

Your  committee,  after  the  consideration  of  these  overtures  and  the 
subjects  j)resented  in  them,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
rest)lutions : 

Resolved,  1,  That  this  Assembly  hereby  expresses  its  approval,  in 
general,  of  the  proceedings  of  the  conference  held  in  Lcmdon  in  July 
last,  composed  of  the  representatives  in  a  large  portion,  some  15,000 
congregations,  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  world. 

Resolved,  2,  The  Assembly  a})proves  of  the  general  tenor  of  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Alliance  providing  for  a  General  Presbyterian  Council, 
to  be  held  every  three  years. 

Resolved,  3,  That  this  Assembly  will  appoint  delegates  to  represent 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  in  the  General  Council, 
to  be  held  in  Edinburgh  in  1877,  provided  that  this  ajjpointraent  of  dele- 
gates shall  not  be  luiderstood  as  pledging  any  funds  of  the  Church  to 
defraying  the  expenses  of  the  delegates  to  the  coimcil. 

Resolved,  4,  That  the  delegation  so  appointed  shaU  select  from  their 
own  number  members  to  prepare  any  t)apers  concerning  the  condition 
and  position  of  our  Church,  tt)  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  the  coun- 
cil :  and,  in  case  the  delegates  be  unable  to  attend  the  council,  they  are 
hereby  authcjrized  to  rejn-esent  our  Church  by  such  official  letter  as  they 
may  agree  upon. 

P.  237.  The  following  paper,  ottered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hoge,  was 
piussed  with  but  one  dissenting  voice  : 

Resolved,  That  in  app(»inting  delegates  to  the  Generjil  Presbj'tei'ian 
Alliance,  it  is  with  the  distinct  declaration  that  it  is  not  to  be  regarded 
as  another  and  a  higher  court,  but  as  an  assemblage  of  committees, 
appointed  by  the  several  chui'ches  which  they  represent,  for  the  pur- 


508  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Generax  Assembly.      [Book  VII. 

pose  of  joint  conference  and  joint  report,  and  for  such  action  only  as 
belongs  to  an  association  of  delegates  thus  constituted. 

The  report  of  the  comraittee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1875  on  the 
confederation  of  the  Presbyterian  chnrches  of  the  world  is  found  in  the  Appendix 
to  the  Minutes  of  1877,  page  487.  The  report  of  Rev.  Stiiart  Eobinson,  D.  D. , 
delegate  to  the  conference  held  in  London,  Jxdy  21-23,  1875,  to  frame  a  constitu- 
tion for  a  General  Presbj-terian  Council,  is  found  on  page  489  of  the  Minutes  for 
1877.  The  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  187G  (see  above)  are  siibstan- 
tially  the  same  as  those  recommended  in  the  rejaort  of  the  above  committee. 

The  constitution  adopted  for  the  Alhance  is  on  page  492,  Minutes  of 
1877,  and  is  as  follows : 

^\^lereas  churches  holding  the  Reformed  faith,  and  organized  on  Presbyterian 
principles,  are  found,  though  under  a  variety  of  names,  in  different  parts  of  the 
world ; 

Wliereas  many  of  these  Avere  long  wont  to  maintain  close  relations,  but  are  at 
present  united  by  no  visible  bond,  whether  of  fellowship  or  of  work; 

And  whereas,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  time  seems  to  have  come  when  they 
may  all  more  fully  manifest  their  essential  oneness,  have  closer  communion  with 
(  ach  other,  and  promote  great  causes  by  joint  action,  it  is  agreed  to  form  a  Presby- 
terian Alliance,  to  meet  in  general  council  from  time  to  time,  in  order  to  confer 
upon  matters  of  common  interest,  and  to  further  the  ends  for  which  the  Church 
has  been  constituted  by  her  Divine  Lord  and  only  King.  In  forming  this  Alliance 
the  Presbyterian  churches  do  not  mean  to  change  their  fraternal  relations  with 
other  churches,  biit  will  be  ready,  as  heretofore,  to  join  with  them  in  Christian 
fellowship  and  in  advancing  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer  on  the  general  principle 
maintained  and  taught  in  the  Reformed  Confessions,  that  the  Church  of  God  on 
earth,  though  composed  of  many  members,  is  one  body  in  the  communion  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  of  which  body  Christ  is  the  Supreme  Head,  and  the  Scriptures  alone 
are  the  infallible  law. 

1.  DESiciNATioN.  — This  Alliance  shall  be  known  as  "The  Alliance  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  throughout  the  World  holding  the  Presbyterian  System." 

II.  Membership.  — Any  church  organized  on  Presbyterian  i^rinciples,  which  holds 
the  supreme  authority  of  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  in  matters 
of  faith  and  morals,  and  whose  creed  is  in  harmony  with  the  consensus  of  the  Re- 
formed Confessions,  shall  be  eligible  for  admission  into  the  Alliance. 

III.  The  C(K!Ncil.  —  1.  Its  Meetinrjs. — The  Alliance  shall  meet  in  general  council 
once  in  three  years. 

2.  Its  (Jonstitusricy. — The  Coimcil  shall  consist  of  delegates,  being  ministers  and 
elders,  apjDointed  by  the  churches  forming  the  Alliance;  the  number  from  each 
church  being  regiilated  by  a  jilan  sanctioned  by  the  Council,  regard  being  had  gen- 
erally to  the  number  of  congregations  in  the  several  churches.  The  delegates,  as 
far  as  i^racticable,  to  consist  of  an  equal  number  of  ministers  and  elders.  The 
Council  may,  on  the  recommendation  of  a  committee  on  business,  invite  Presbyte- 
rian brethren,  not  delegates,  to  offer  suggestions,  to  deliver  addresses,  and  to  read 
papers. 

'6.  Its  Poirers. — The  Coimcil  shall  have  power  to  decide  iipon  the  application  of 
churches  desiring  to  join  the  Alliance ;  it  shall  have  power  to  entertain  and  consider 
topics  which  may  be  brought  before  it  by  any  church  represented  in  the  Council,  or 
by  any  member  of  the  Council,  on  their  being  transmitted  in  the  manner  hereinafter 
provided ;  but  it  shall  not  interfere  with  the  existing  creed  or  constitution  of  any 
church  in  the  Alhance,  or  with  its  internal  order  or  external  relations. 

4.  Its  Objects. — The  Council  shall  consider  (questions  of  general  interest  to  the 
Presbyterian  community ;  it  shall  seek  the  welfare  of  churches,  esjiecially  such  as 
are  weak  or  persecuted ;  it  shall  gather  and  disseminate  information  concerning  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  throughout  the  world ;  it  shall  commend  the  Presbyterian  system 
as  scriptural,  and  as  combining  simplicity,  efficiency  and  adaptation  to  all  times  and 
conditions ;  it  shall  also  entertain  all  subjects  directly  connected  with  the  work  of 
evangelization,  such  as  the  relation  of  the  Christian  Chin-ch  to  the  evangelization  of 
the  world,  the  distribution  of  mission  work,  the  combination  of  church  energies, 
especially  in  reference  to  great  cities  and  destitute  districts,  the  training  of  minis- 
ters, the  use  of  the  press,  colportage,  the  religious  instruction  of  the  young,  the 
sanctiticaticni  of  the  Sabbath,  sj'stematic  beneficence,  the  suppression  of  intemper- 
ance aud  other  prevailing  vices,  and  the  best  methods  of  opposing  infidelity  and 
Romanism. 


Secs.  673,  674. 1  Relations  of  the  Chukch  with  Other  Bodies.  509 

5.  Its  Methudn.  — The  Council  shiiU  seek  to  "^uide  and  stimulate  public  sentiment 
by  papers  read,  by  addresses  delivered  and  published,  by  ihe  circulation  of  informa- 
tion respecting  tlie  allied  churclies  ami  their  miasions,  by  the  exposition  of  scrip- 
tural principles,  and  by  defense  of  the  truth;  by  communicatin<,'  the  minutes  of  its 
proceedings  to  the  supreme  courts  of  the  churches  forming  the  Alliance,  and  by 
such  other  action  as  is  in  accordance  with  its  constitution  and  objects. 

6.  Committee  on  Brmneas.—  The  Council,  at  each  general  meeting,  shall  appoint 
a  committee  on  business,  through  which  all  communications  and  notices  of  subjects 
proposed  to  be  disciissed  shall  jiass.  The  committee  appointed  at  one  general  meet- 
ing shall  act  provisionally,  so  far  as  is  necessary,  in  preparing  for  the  following 
meeting. 

IV.  Change  of  (Constitution. — No  change  shall  be  made  in  this  constitution,  ex- 
cept on  a  motion  made  at  one  general  meeting  of  Council,  not  objected  to  by  a 
majority  of  the  churches,  and  can-ied  by  a  two-thirds  vote  at  the  next  general 
meeting. 

673.  Delegates  to  the  General  Council  to  he  accredited  hy  commissions. 

1877,  p.  413.  Your  committee  further  recommend  that  the  delegates 
to  the  General  Council  of  the  Presbyterian  Alhance  from  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  the  United  States  be  accredited  to  the  former  body  by 
commissions  duly  issued  by  the  stated  clerk  of  the  Cireneral  Assembly. 
Adopted. 

()74.    The  L>ahney  resolutions  tabled. 

A  paper  was  offered  by  Rev.  R.  L.  Dabuey,  D.  D.,  with  reference  to 
the  import  of  this  Assembly's  being  admitted  as  a  constituent  part  of 
the  General  Alliance.  This  paper,  found  on  page  G56,  Minutes  for 
1878,  recites  the  full  and  equal  rights  and  courtesies  extended,  to  the 
commissioners  appointed  by  the  Southern  Assembly,  and  that  we  re- 
cognize these  happy  events  as  constituting  a  virtual  and  distinct  recon- 
ciliation with  us  of  ah  the  churches  which  joined  in  this  cordial  and 
coiuleous  extension  of  e(|ual  rights  in  that  council  to  the  commissicmers 
of  our  Church,  upon  that  scriptural  basis  of  truth  always  held  by  oui' 
Church,  touching  the  essentials  of  those  subjects  of  difference  which 
had  unhappily  interrupted  the  full  commimion  of  sundry  of  those 
chiu'ches  with  us.  The  subjects  cited  were  such  as  the  lawfulness  of 
slavery  as  a  civil  institution,  which  the  Church  has  no  mission  to  con- 
demn, the  liberty  of  conscience  in  matters  pohtical,  and  the  power  of 
church  courts  to  decide  political  questions  and  promulge  pohtical  de- 
crees, etc.     This  paper  submitted  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved,  That  this  happy  and  imconditional  recognition  of  the 
Chui'ch  we  represent,  through  its  commissioners  in  the  Presbyterian 
Alliance,  is  to  be  construed  by  us  as  a  gTacefiil,  virtual,  and  distinct 
withdrawal  on  the  part  of  the  brethren  lately  in  separation  from  us,  of 
all  condemiiatt)ry  doctrines  and  declarations,  and  a  hearty  and  peaceful 
recoucihation  upon  the  scriptural  position  we  have  occupied,  and  still 
occupy ;  leaving  eacli  bi-anch  of  the  Presbyterian  churches,  as  well  as 
oiu-selves,  to  hold,  witlujiit  reproach,  its  own  opinions  on  idl  non-essen- 
tials of  church  and  civil  order.  And  it  is  on  this  understanding,  as 
hereby  assumed  by  us,  and  in  act  conceded  to  us,  that  our  Church  holds 
its  place  as  a  constituent  of  the  General  Presbyterian  Alliance. 

liesolved.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  stated  clerk  to  transmit 
certitied  cojjies  of  these  resolutions  to  the  Business  Committee  of  the 
last  council,  and  to  the  moderator  of  that  council  appointed  for  1880, 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 


510  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  VII. 

No  one  offering  to  debate  the  paper,  it  was  tabled  without  debate  by 
a  vote  of  69  to  41.     (Page  641.) 

To  this  Dr.  Dabney  and  twenty-eight  others  entered  a  dissent  and 
protest  (p.  656),  alleging  two  reasons :  1,  The  form  in  which  the  vote 
was  taken  was  out  of  order  and  injurious  to  the  rights  of  the  minority; 
2,  Because  it  put  the  Assembly  and  the  Church  in  a  painfully  equivo- 
cal position  before  the  world  and  assailants.  This  second  ground  the 
protest  argues  at  length.  The  answer  to  the  protest  was  confined  to 
the  first  reason,  and  asserts  that  the  motion  to  table  was  an  orderly  one, 
and  did  not  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  any.  The  action  of  the  house, 
laying  the  resolutions  on  the  table,  clearly  evinced  the  will  of  the  As- 
sembly, that  the  subject-matter  of  the  resolutions  should  not  be  dis- 
cussed.    (P.  0H2.)     Condensed  from  the  Minutes  of  1878. 

The  committee  to  answer  the  protest  consisted  of  Drs.  Armstrong, 
Preston,  and  Bullock ;  Elders  J.  D.  Jones  and  C.  A.  Carrington. 

1879,  p.  19.  In  answer  to  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Cen- 
tral Texas,  inquiring  into  the  significance  of  the  above  action,  the  fol- 
lowing was  adopted : 

The  action  of  our  Assembly  in  sending  delegates  to  "the  General 
Presbyterian  Coimcil,"  and  in  tabling  the  paper  alluded  to  in  the  over- 
ture of  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Texas,  is  not  to  be  understood  as  im- 
plying any  change  in  our  position  upon  questions  of  difference  between 
oui-selves  and  other  bodies,  or  any  surrender  of  our  testimony. 

675.    JJelegtites   to   the    Council  should  hi'.  I'honen    from  the,  vorious 

iSynods. 

1881,  p.  388.  Overtm-e  from  Holston  Presbytery,  asking  that  the 
appointment  of  delegates  to  the  General  Presbyterian  Council  be  dis- 
tributed amongst  our  various  Synods,  at  least  one  from  each  S^-nod, 
and  that  it  be  referred  to  the  Synods  to  make  the  nomination,  each  for 
itself. 

Your  committee  recommend  the  Assembly  to  reply  that  it  has  no 
control  over  the  action  which  it  may  please  the  Assembly  of  1883  to 
take  respecting  its  appointments,  but  is  wiUing  to  express  the  opinion 
that  the  appointments  should  be  distributed,  and  that  nominations  from 
Synods  should  be  invited. 

676.   Standing  committee  to  correspond  with  the  Council. 

1881,  p.  389.  A  request  from  the  Council  for  a  small  standing  com- 
mittee to  be  appointed  by  this  Assembly,  with  whom  the  clerks  of  the 
Council  might  correspond. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  this  re([uestof  the  Council  be  com- 
plied with  by  the  Assembly.     Adopted. 

The  clerks  of  the  Assembly  were  appointed  the  committee  to  corres- 
pond with  the  Council. 

677.    Expenses  of  the  Council. 

1885,  p.  433.  In  accordance  with  the  reipiest  of  an  overture  from 
the  delegates  of  our  Assembly  who  attended  the  third  General  Council 
of  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System, 
held  at  Belfast,  the  Assembly  hereby  directs  the  treasurer  to  pay  to  the 
treasurer  of  the  American  Branch  of  the  Alliance  so  much  as  may  be 


Sec.  678.]         Relations  of  the  Church  with  Other  Bodies.  511 

required  to  meet  the  apportionment  fixed  for  our  Church  by  the  Execu- 
tive Commission  for  the  year  1885-'86,  provided  the  same  shall  not  ex- 
ceed $132. 

1886,  p.  40.  The  Assembly  hereby  dii-ects  its  treasurer  to  pay  to 
the  treasurer  of  the  American  Branch  of  the  Executive  Commission  of 
the  "  General  Alliance  of  Ref oimed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System  "  one  hundi'ed  and  fifty  dollars  ($150),  to  aid  in  defraying  the 
ad  interim  expenses  of  the  Alliance  for  the  year  1885-'86,  and  the  same 
amount  for  the  year  188G-'87.  These  amounts  to  be  paid  dui'ing  the 
yeai's  for  which  they  are  to  fiu-nish  aid. 


BOOK   VIII. 

JUDICIAL     CASES. 

677.    Complaint  of  Rev.  James  Sinclair  against  the  Synod  of  North 

Carolina. 

1863,  ]D.  130.  The  Judicial  Committee  report  that  the}^  find  the  com- 
plaint not  in  order,  there  appearing-  no  formal  complaint  as  against  the 
Sj'nod  in  the  j^remises ;  and  the  committee  beg  to  be  discharged  from 
the  farther  consideration  of  the  subject.     Adopted. 

679.  Appeal  of  R.  B.    Williamson,    licentiate,  from  the  Presbytery 

of  Tomheckhee. 

1869,  p.  395.  The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  report  that  an 
appeal  has  been  placed  in  their  hands,  sent  up  to  this  Assembly  by  a 
candidate  for  the  ministry  of  Tombeckbee  Presbyteiy,  fi'om  a  decision 
of  said  Presbyteiy  revoking  his  license  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  pray- 
ing the  Assembly  to  return  his  license.  It  does  not  appear,  by  the 
appeal  and  other  j^apers  before  your  committee,  that  the  appellant  has 
taken  the  prehminary  steps  requii-ed  bv  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 
(Chap.  VII.,  Sec.  III^,  Sub.  Sec.  5.)     Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  cannot  issue  the  case  presented  in  this 
appeal  and  complaint,  and  that  the  appellant  have  leave  to  withdraw  his 
papers.     Adoj)ted. 

1870,  p.  543.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  of  Mr. 
R.  B.  Williamson,  and  other  papers  touching  the  refusal  of  the  Presby- 
ter}- of  Tombeckbee  to  renew  the  license  of  said  Williamson  as  a  proba- 
tioner, recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  minute,  viz. :  "As  any 
Presbytery  has  the  right  to  recall  the  license  of  a  probationer,  or  to  re- 
fuse to  restore  it,  as  it  may  think  proper,  no  action  is  called  for  on  the 
part  of  the  Assembly."     Adopted. 

680.  Complaint  of  Rev.  A.   W.  Miller,  JJ.  J).,  Rev.  John  Douglas, 

and  others,  against  the  Synod  of  I^orth  Carolina. 

1871,  p.  15.     Withdrawn  without  action. 

681.  Complaint  of  Sa)n.uel  Gallon'ay  against  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

1872,  p.  158.  The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  report  to  the  As- 
sembly, that  the  papers  put  into  their  hands  are  those  relating  to  the 
complaint  of  Samuel  Galloway  vs.  The  Synod  of  Geoi'gia.  As  the  com- 
plainant has  not  ajjpeared,  either  in  person  or  by  representative,  to 
prosecute  his  complaint,  the  committee  recommend  that  the  com- 
plaint be  dismissed,  and  the  papers  be  returned  by  the  stated  clerk  to 
the  complainant.     Adopted. 


Sec.  682.]  Judicial  Cases.  513 

682.  Complaint  of  Uci'.  J.  J-  Cooke  and  others  agninst  the  Presbytery 

of  fjouisville. 

1875,  p.  15.  The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  reix)rts  to  the 
General  Assembly,  that  the  case  referred  to  it  for  examination  puiiiorts 
to  be  two  separate  "Protests,  appeals,  and  complaints  of  Tiev.  John  J. 
Cooke,  for  himself  and  others,  against  the  proceedings  and  judgments 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville,  in  the  case  of  the  pastor,  session,  and 
congregation  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  Louisville,  Ky.,  at  two 
separate  meetings  of  the  Presbytery,  held  November  10-17,  1874,  and 
December  8,  1874.'' 

As  these  persons  are  not  the  parties  aggrieved,  in  the  technical  sense 
of  that  term,  as  used  in  our  Book  of  Discipline,  it  is  clear  that  the  case 
cannot  be  entertained  as  an  appeal,  but  only  as  a  complaint. 

It  is  e\"ident,  also,  that  wliilst  this  complaint  involves  the  whole  case 
of  the  pastor  and  congregation  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  these 
do  not  appeal*  as  parties  before  the  Assembly :  and  its  decision,  whilst 
settling  the  (|uestion  as  to  the  complainants,  may  fail  to  reach  the  heart 
of  this  unfortunate  dispute,  and  to  heal  the  breach  which  has  been 
made. 

All  the  parties,  however,  in  this  case  seem  to  desire  that  it  should  be 
issued  before  this  Assembly,  and  that  it  should  not  be  remanded  to  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  over  whose  head  it  has  been  brought  directly  to 
this  body.  On  this  groimd,  and  without  working  prejudice  to  the  in- 
tervening Synod,  the  committee  ad\-ise  the  Assembly  to  receive  and  act 
upon  the  complaint.  There  is,  perhaps,  a  deeper  reason  for  this  coiu'se. 
It  will  be  found,  upon  examination,  that  the  whole  difficulty  has  its 
rise  in  a  difference  of  intei-pretation  upon  one  or  two  points  of  constitu- 
tional law,  and  that,  in  the  infirmity  of  human  nature,  in  the  mainten- 
ance of  confiicting  opinions,  things  have  been  said  and  done  which  are 
greatly  to  be  deplored. 

If,  therefore,  the  case  can  be  reduced  to  these  few,  but  fundamental, 
points,  a  possible  solution  of  the  whole  difficulty  may  be  found  in  an 
authoritative  decision  upon  them  by  the  Assembly. 

In  some  of  its  features  this  judicial  case  differs  from  those  usually 
brought  before  the  supreme  courts  of  the  Church,  which  will  justify 
the  committee  in  presenting  it  in  this  form  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Assembly.     It  is  alleged  in  the  complaint — 

1.  That  the  Presbyteiy  of  Louisville,  in  receiving  certain  memorials, 
and  upon  the  allegations  contained  in  them,  proceeding  to  exercise  its 
visitorial  power  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  did,  from  the  nature 
of  the  charges,  commence  what  was  essentially  a  judicial  investigation, 
which  should  therefoi"e  have  been  conducted  under  judicial  fomis. 
The  Assembly  might  probably  decide  whether  or  not  this  point  is  well 
taken. 

2.  From  the  action  of  the  Presbytery,  in  proceeding  to  this  investi- 
gation. Dr.  S.  R.  Wilson  took  an  appeal  to  a  superior  court,  claiming 
that  this  appeal  operated  an  immediate  suspension  of  all  the  proceed- 
ings until  it  should  be  finally  issued.  The  Assembly  might  very  pro- 
perly rule  whether  the  appeal  in  this  case  was  of  the  kind  to  put  the 
arrest  on  the  Presbyteiy  which  is  claimed. 

3.  The  Assembly  might  tilso  decide  how  far,  in  the  further  prosecu- 
tion of  the  case,  the  acts  of  aU  the  parties  are  irregular  and  open  to 
censvu'e. 


514  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genee.u:.  Assembly.    [Book  VIII. 

4.  If,  then,  the  Assembly  woidd  remand  the  case  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Louisville,  with  an  injunction  to  take  it  up  from  the  beginning  under 
these  rulings,  a  fair  opportunity  would  be  afforded  all  the  parties  to  re- 
trieve any  error  into  which  they  may  have  fallen;  and  the  Assembly 
would,  in  the  most  tender  way,  authoritatively  arbitrate  between  breth- 
ren now  grievously  estranged,  and  who,  for  their  past  lideUty  to  the 
truth  and  kingdom  of  the  Master,  are  entitled  to  the  contidence  and 
affection  of  the  whole  Church. 

This  report  was  adopted ;  also  an  order  of  procedure  recommended 
by  the  Judicial  Committee.  After  being  heard  the  decision  of  the  As- 
sembly was :  To  sustain  the  complaint,  1 :  to  sustain  in  part,  38 ;  not 
to  sustain,  67.     (P.  33.) 

P.  46.  The  following  paper,  explanatory  of  the  vote  of  the  Assem- 
bly on  this  complaint,  was  adopted:  The  Assembly,  in  voting  not  to 
sustain  the  complaint  of  J.  J.  Cooke  and  others  against  the  Presbytery 
of  Louisville,  would  be  understood  as  passing  judgment  onl}^  upon  the 
constitutional  issues  inv(jlved  in  said  complaint,  while  at  the  same  time 
there  were,  in  its  opinion,  some  irregularities  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
Presbytery  which  it  could  not  approve,  but  which  it  did  not  deem  it  ne- 
cessary to  pass  upon  judicially. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Palmer  obtained  leave,  on  behalf  of  himself  and 
others,  to  have  the  following  paper  admitted  to  record: 

The  undersigned,  being  of  the  minority  who  voted  to  sustain  in  part 
the  complaint  of  J.  J.  Cooke,  accord  with  the  minute  adopted  by  the 
majority,  with  the  exception  that,  in  some  of  the  points  termed  irregu- 
larities in  the  above-named  minute,  they  regard  the  Presbytery  as  hav- 
ing transcended  the  limits  of  their  constitutional  power. 

Signed  by  B.  M.  Palmer  and  twenty-six  others. 

683.  Complaint  of  jRev.  )S.  J.  Baird,  D.  JJ.,  against  the  Presbytery  of 

East  Hanover. 

1877,  p.  423.  The  Judicial  Committee,  to  which  was  refei'red  the 
complaint  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  S.  J.  Baird,  toviching  the  action  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  East  Hanover,  with  the  accompanying  papers,  beg  leave  to 
report : 

That,  in  a  statement  made  to  the  committee  by  the  complainant,  he 
admitted  that  he  caused  to  be  published  in  a  recent  number  of  the 
Richmond  Dispatch  a  letter  written  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Baird,  from 
which,  and  the  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  said  Presbytery,  it  ap- 
pears that  the  subject-matter  and  the  person  named  in  said  proceedings 
and  in  the  complaint  are  the  same;  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Baird  has 
taken  an  appeal  from  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover  to 
the  next  superior  judicatory,  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  and  that  the  mat- 
ter of  the  appeal  and  of  the  complaint  raise  the  same  questions,  and 
refer  to  the  same  cause  and  the  same  person. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  it  is  not  proper  for  the  General  As- 
sembly to  take  jui'isdit^tiou  of  the  matter  of  a  complaint,  while  the  same 
cause,  embracing  the  same  matter,  is  pending  in  another  judicatory, 
which  has  jurisdiction,  by  apjieal,  at  the  instance  of  the  person  ag- 
grieved. Wherefore  the  committee  recommend  that  the  complaint  be 
referred  to  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 

Adopted,  with  but  one  dissenting  vote,  after  a  minority  report  had 
first  been  voted  down  by  a  vote  of  6  to  112.     (P.  422.) 


Secs.  684, 685.]  Judicial  Cases.  515 

G84.    Complaint   of  Rev.  I.  W.    Ca'tiiield  against  the  Synod  of 

Kentucky. 

1877,  p.  434.  The  following  report  from  the  Judicial  Committee 
was  adopted: 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  complaint  of  Rev.  I.  "\V. 
Canfield  against  certain  proceedings  of  the  SjTiod  of  Kentucky  have 
considered  the  same,  and  beg  leave  to  report  that  the  matter  presented 
by  this  complaint  for  the  re\-ision  of  the  Assembly  arises  upon  a  part 
of  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  rendered  upon  the  consid- 
eration of  an  apjDeal  of  complainant  from  the  Presbytery  of  LouisAdlle. 
In  this  complaint,  and  in  the  petition  which  alleges  the  ground  of  the 
complainant's  appeal  fx'om  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louis- 
ville against  him,  many  apparent  grievances  against  the  action  of  the 
Synod  and  of  the  Presbytery,  and  the  conduct  of  certain  members  of 
Presbytery,  are  set  forth. 

In  the  statement  of  this  complaint,  and  the  references  which  it  makes, 
there  is  much  confusion,  and  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  precisely  the  ob- 
ject of  complainant  in  coming  before  this  Assembly.  This  Assembly 
has  no  power  to  render  any  general  relief  in  the  premises,  as  complain- 
ant seems  to  think,  nor  would  it  be  proper,  in  this  or  any  other  case, 
to  set  aside  the  judgment  of  an  inferior  coiu't,  unless  there  be  clear  and 
satisfactoiy  evidence  that  such  judgment  is  erroneous,  or  that  it  ought 
to  be  reversed  for  some  reason  laid  down  in  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment. 

From  an  examination  of  the  papers  submitted  to  us,  viz. :  the  state- 
ments of  the  complainant  and  the  record  of  the  Synod  of  Kentuck}',  it 
appears  that  the  Synod  carefully  cohsidered  all  the  matters  at  issue 
between  the  complainant  and  the  Presbyteiy  of  Louisville ;  that  the 
most  material  part  of  the  sentence,  and  really  the  only  matter  at  issue, 
was  in  favor  of  the  complainant. 

The  refusal  of  the  Synod  to  censure  the  Presbyteiy  of  LouisAille  was 
a  matter  entirely  discretionary  with  the  Synod,  and  we  see  nothing  in 
it  for  the  Assembly  to  set  aside  or  disapprove. 

The  committee  therefore  recommend  that  the  complaint  be  dis- 
missed. 

685.  Appeal  of  Hev.  iSlnart  Robinson,  D.  J).,  and  others^  from  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky  in  the  Canfield  case. 

1878,  p.  614.  This  appeal  was  decided  by  the  following  vote :  To 
sustain  the  complaint,  1U6;  excused  from  voting,  2. 

The  following  minute  was  adopted: 

P.  620.  In  delivering  the  judgment  sustaining  the  complaint  against 
the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  the  Assembly  means  to  declare : 

1st,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Loui-sville  proceeded  proi)erlyln  restrain- 
ing from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  the  ministry  a  mmister  deemed 
irresponsible  for  his  words  and  acts,  by  reason  of  unsoundness  of  mind, 
without  the  usual  forms  of  judicial  process. 

^nd.  That  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  erred  in  rescinding  the  action  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  so  restraining  a  minister,  by  mere  resolu- 
tion, ^vithout  a  formal  examination  of  the  case,  either  as  a  question  of 
appeal,  complaint,  or  of  general  review  and  control,  it  being  incom|)e- 
tent  for  the  Synod  to  interpose  its  authority  to  interfere  with  the  right 
of  a  Presbytery  to  judge  of  the  tpiahtications  of  its  own  ministers. 


51G  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.    [Book  VIII. 

3?Y?,  That,  in  pronouncing-  this  judgment  on  the  action  of  the  Synod 
of  Kentuckj^  this  Assembly  does  not  intend  to  pass  any  censiu'e  upon 
that  body,  or  upon  any  of  its  members. 

1879,  p.  57.  The  Assembly  declined  to  re-opeu  this  case  bj'  making  an  e?i  thesi 
deliverance,  reversing  the  principle  (ui  which  it  had  been  decided. 

686.  Appeal  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Baircl  from  the  Synod  of  Virginia. 

1878,  p.  646.  Dr.  Baird  was  absent  by  reason  of  sickness,  and  could 
not  prosecute  the  case  in  person. 

F.  655.  The  minority  report  of  the  Judicial  Committee  was  adopted, 
and  the  Assembly  proceeded  according  to  the  course  prescribed  in  said 
paper. 

P.  663.  Ruhng  Elder  Isaac  D.  Jones  appeared,  by  request  of  the 
appellant,  to  conduct  the  appeal  in  his  behalf.  Result:  To  sustain,  8  ; 
to  sustain  in  part,  19  ;  not  to  sustain,  42. 

P.  665.  The  committee  aj)pointed  to  bring  in  a  minute  expressing 
the  sense  of  the  General  Assembly  in  regard  to  the  appeal  of  Dr. 
E.  T.  Baird  against  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  respectfully 
recommend  the  following  as  the  judgment  of  the  General  Assembly, 
viz. : 

That,  inasmuch  as  the  appeal  is  not  sustained,  the  natural  effect  is 
to  remand  the  case  to  the  Presbytery  of  East  Hanover,  to  institute  pro- 
ceedings and  conduct  a  new  trial  according  to  the  order  of  the  Synod 
of  Vu'ginia.     Adopted. 

687.    Complaint  of  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot  and  others  against  the  Synod 
of  Texas  and  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Texas. 

1878,  p.  640.  To  sustain  the  complaint,  73 ;  to  sustain  in  part,  32 ; 
not  to  sustain,  6. 

P.  653.  The  special  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a'  minute  ex- 
pressing the  judgment  of  the  Assembly  in  the  case  of  the  complaint  of 
Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot  and  others  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Texas 
upon  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Texas  in  the  matter  of 
H.  F.  Williams,  report  as  follows,  viz. : 

The  General  Assembly  sustains  the  complaint  of  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot 
and  others  against  the  Synod  of  Texas  on  these  grounds,  viz. : 

First,  The  Synod  of  Texas  allowed  the  Presbytery  of  Western  Texas 
to  vote  upon  the  review  of  their  own  records,  against  the  decision  of 
the  moderator,  and  in  opposition  to  the  spirit  of  our  constitution  and 
to  the  estabhshed  precedents  of  our  Church :  which  coiu'se  we  regard 
as  both  irregular  and  unjust. 

Seconxl,  By  refusing  to  condemn  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Western  Texas  in  the  matter  of  H.  F.  WiUiams,  the  Synod  did  en- 
dorse and  encourage  what  is  known  as  "  Lay  Evangelism,"  a  system 
which  is  irregiilar  and  contrary  to  the  order  of  the  Chiu'ch  with  refer- 
ence to  the  Christian  ministry,  and  calculated  to  produce  confusion  and 
many  other  evils,  sooner  or  later. 

In  expressing  this  judgment  the  Assembly  does  not  mean  to  impugn 
the  Christian  or  ministerial  character,  nor  the  motives,  of  any  of  the 
members  of  the  Synod,  but  hereby  declares  its  confidence  in  them  and 
its  sympathy  with  them  in  view  of  the  pecuhar  circumstances  of  theii' 
needy  tield  of  labor.     Adopted. 


Secs.  688-690.J  Judicial  Cases.  517 

688.  Complaint '  of  Rev.  R.   S.  McAllister  and  Rev.  M.  B.   Show 

against  the  Presbytery  of  Loidsiana. 

1878,  p.  627.  The  report  of  the  Judicial  Committee  on  the  com- 
plaint of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  McAllister  and  Shaw  against  their  Presby- 
tery, on  account  of  certain  alleged  irregularities  in  its  action  on  the 
question  of  adopting  the  Book  of  Chiu'ch  Order,  Avas  taken  up,  and 
the  report  was  adopted  as  follows : 

The  committee  repoi-t  that  the  complainants  assign  no  reason  for 
passing  by  the  Synod,  and  bringing  their  complaint  directly  to  the 
General  Assembly ;  and  recommend  that  they  have  leave  to  withdraw 
the  complaint  and  seek  their  remedy,  if  any  there  be,  in  the  Synod  of 
Mississippi. 

689.  Complaint  of  J.    II.  Moore  and  others  against  the   Synod  of 

Kentuclcy. 

1879,  p.  20.  The  following  report  from  the  Judicial  Committee 
was  adopted : 

In  the  case  of  the  complaint  of  J.  H.  Moore,  A.  Davidson,  J.  H. 
Huber,  and  Stuart  Robinson  against  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  having 
been  notified  \y\  the  complainants  in  person  that,  while  they  have  no 
doubt  that  the  complaint,  if  presented,  would  be  sustained,  yet,  seeing 
that  the  adoption  of  the  new  Book  of  Church  Order  will  effectually  pre- 
vent the  recurrence  of  the  errors-  complained  of,  the  complamants  deem 
it  unnecessary  to  trouble  the  Assembly  with  the  trial  of  their  com- 
plaint, we  recommend  that  they  be  granted  leave  to  withdraw  the  com- 
plaint, and  that  the  papers  be  retmned  to  the  complainants. 

690.  Appe<d  of  Rev.  J.  E.   White  from  the  Synod  of  South 

Carolhxi. 

1879,  p.  20.  The  fullowing  report  of  the  Judicial  Committee  was 
adopted : 

In  the  case  of  the  appeal  or  complaint  of  J.  E.  White  against  the 
Synod  of  South  Cai'olina,  we  recommend  that  the  appeal  or  complaint 
be  dismissed,  upon  the  ground  that  the  appellant  has  not  appeared  to 
prosecute  his  appeal  before  the  Assembly :  nor  did  he  make  it  appear 
that  he  was  prevented  from  seasonably  prosecuting  his  appeal  by  the 
providence  of  God      (Book  of  Discii:)line,  Chap.  VII.,  Sec.  III.,  Art.  II.) 

1880,  p.  221.  The  Judicial  Committee,  to  which  was  committed  the 
"appeal  of  tlie  Rev.  J.  E.  White  from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina,  convened  at  Si)artanburg  Ct)iu-thouse,  from  October  23d  to 
October  28th,  1878,"  begs  leave  to  submit  the  following  report : 

1.  Proper  notice  of  this  appeal  was  given  to  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  in  October,  1878,  but  it  was  not  prosecuted  before  the  last 
Assembly,  and  was  dismissed  for  this  reason  by  that  bod}'.  The  ap- 
pellant, however,  has  satisfied  this  committee  that  "  he  was  prevented 
by  the  pi'ovidence  of  God  from  seasonably  prosecuting  it :  "  and  it 
therefore  recommends  that  he  be  reinstated  in  the  rights  which  he 
had  at  the  beginning  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1879. 

2.  The  appellant  has  conducted  his  appeal  regularly ;  and  it  is  re- 
commended that  it  be  heai-d.  The  2nd,  3rd,  and  4:th  grounds  of  ap- 
peal do  not  refer  to  anything  included  in  the  action  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Bethel  on  KJtli  January,  1878,  from  which  the  appellant  appealed 


518  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         [Book  VIII. 

to  the  S^Tiod  of  South  Carolina ;  and  therefore  it  is  recommended  that, 
in  hearing  the  appeal,  the  General  Assembly  will  consider  the  first 
gi'ound  alone.     Adopted. 

To  sustain  the  ajjpeal,  2  ;  not  to  sustain,  71. 

691.  Complaint  of  J.  E.  White  against  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina. 

1881,  p.  354.  The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  report  to  the 
Assembly  that  they  have  given  most  careful  and  patient  consideration 
to  the  appeal  or  complaint  of  J.  E.  White  against  the  Synod  of  South 
Carohna,  and  find  nothing  in  the  paper  by  which  the  decision  appealed 
from  can  be  known,  whilst  the  paper  on  its  face  appears  to  re-open  the 
case  on  which  the  last  Assembly  took  action.  On  conference,  however, 
with  J.  E.  White,  and  also  Eev.  J.  B.  Mack,  D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of 
South  Carohna,  it  was  discovered  that  an  application  for  a  new  trial 
had  been  made  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel,  in  which  the  case  at  first 
arose,  that  a  new  trial  was  refused,  and  an  appeal  taken  to  the  Synod, 
which  sustained  the  Pi'esbytery.  From  this  decision  of  the  Synod  the 
said  J.  E.  White  professed  before  your  committee  to  be  now  prosecut- 
ing this  appeal.     Your  committee  recommend  the  following  action,  viz. : 

Whereas  the  paper  of  J.  E.  White  does  not  state  what  decision  of 
the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  is  appealed  fi'om  or  complained  of ;  that 
it  bears  on  its  face  the  appearance  of  re  opening  a  case  ah'eady  adjudi- 
cated in  General  Assembly,  and  that  it  is  in  fact  the  old  case,  without 
one  substantial  addition  to  its  res  gestae;  therefore, 

Hesolved,  That  the  appeal  or  complaint  of  J.  E.  White  against  the 
Synod  of  South  Carolina  be  dismissed.     Adopted. 

692.  Complal7it  of  1.   W.  and  IT.  Q.  Canjield  against  the  Synod  of 

Kentucky. 

1879,  p.  20.  The  following,  presented  by  the  minority  of  the  Judi- 
cial Committee,  was  adopted :  In  the  matter  of  the  complaint  of  Isaac 
Watts  Cantield  and  W.  Q.  Canfield  against  the  S^uiod  of  Kentucky  the 
imdersigned  members,  composing  a  minority  of  the  Judicial  Committee 
of  the  General  Assembh',  regret  that  they  are  unable  to  concur  in  the 
report  adopted  by  the  committee.  The  gravity  of  the  questions  pre- 
sented, and  tlie  important  bearing  that  their  decision  herein  may  pos- 
sibly have  as  precedents  for  futiu'e  action,  render  it  important,  in  our 
judgment,  that  a  minority  report  should  be  returned. 

The  rej^ort  adopted  by  the  majoi'itj'  recommends  that  the  complaint 
be  dismissed,  on  the  ground  that  the  case  presented  by  the  record  is 
not  one  in  which  either  an  appeal  or  a  complaint  can  be  maintained. 
From  this  conclusion  we  respectfully  dissent,  for  the  foUowing  reasons  : 

The  pi'oceeding  in  which  this  complaint  originated  was  a  series  of 
written  charges  of  grave  nature  brought  by  the  complainants  against 
a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  a  member  of  Louisville  Presbytery. 
These  charges  were  regularly  made,  and  proper  notice  was  given.  The 
Louisville  Presbytery  did  not  entertain  the  charges  on  their  merits, 
but  dismissed  them  on  various  grounds  stated  in  the  record,  but  which 
need  not  here  be  stated.  Now,  while  we  recognize  in  full,  under  our 
sj'^stem,  the  power  of  a  Presbyter^',  or  any  other  church  court  of  origi- 
nal jurisdiction,  to  make  preliminary  inquest,  and  to  decide  whether 
charges  shall  be  entertained,  yet  we  are  firmly  of  opinion  that  such  in- 
quest and  such  decisions  are  in  the  nature  of  judicial  action,  and  must 


Sec.  693.]  Judicial  Cases.  510 

therefore  be  done  with  reasonable  judicial  discretion ;  and  therefore 
such  inquest  and  decision  are  subject  to  review  ui  the  higher  coiui,  by- 
way of  appeal  or  complaint.  To  deny  this,  in  our  humble  opinion,  is 
to  violate  those  principles  of  religious  freedom  which  permeate  and  in- 
spire our  whole  system. 

From  this  decision  of  the  Presb}i:ery  of  Louisville  the  complainants 
can-ied  the  case  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky ;  and  that  83'nod,  without 
passing  upon  the  reasons  alleged  by  the  Louis^•ille  Presbyteiy  for  dis- 
missing the  case,  made  a  decision  in  substance  as  follows : 

That,  as  the  Louisville  Presbytery  had,  in  the  exercise  of  its  episco- 
pal and  visiting  power,  decided  that  the  complainant,  Isaac  AV.  Can- 
tield,  should  be  restrained  from  the  exercise  of  all  ministerial  functions 
by  reason  of  unsoundness  of  mind,  and  as  this  action  of  the  Presbytery 
had  been  affirmed  by  the  General  Assembly  at  Knoxville  in  1878,  the 
said  complainant,  I.  W.  Canfield,  was  thereby  estopjied  from  bringing 
or  maintaining  his  proceeding  herein. 

But  it  nowhere  appears  in  the  record  that  the  said  I.  W.  Canfield  is 
so  far  imsoimd  in  mind  as  to  deprive  him  of  his  rights  and  powers  as 
a  private  member  of  the  Church.  Such  rights  and  powers  therefore 
remain  to  him. 

And  no  disabilitv  whatever  exists  as  to  the  complainant,  W.  Q.  Can- 
field. 

We  are  not,  therefore,  able  to  say  that  the  said  complainants  have 
been  deprived  of  the  rights  secured  to  them  by  oiu*  constitution  and 
Form  of  Government. 

But,  as  the  comjilaint  against  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  is  regulai*  in 
form,  is  brought  by  persons,  one  of  w^hom  is  undoubtedly  competent, 
and  the  other  not  shown  by  the  records  to  be  incompetent  as  a  private 
member  of  the  Church,  and  has  been  seasonably  entered  for  action  by 
the  General  Assembly,  w^e  do  not  see  any  mode  of  proceeding  consist- 
ent with  right  and  religious  liberty,  save  that  of  recommending  that 
the  complaint  be  docketed  and  issued  by  the  Assembly  according  to 
our  law,  as  prescribed  by  the  Book  of  Government,  as  follows  : 

P.  40.  The  Assembly  voted  on  this  appeal  as  follows:  To  sustain, 
56:  not  to  sustain,  69.     Verdict,  not  sustained. 

P.  60.  The  following  explanatory  mhiute  \\as  adopted:  The  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  in  refusing  to  sustain  the  complaint,  while  recognizing 
the  right  of  every  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  bring  before 
the  courts  any  matter  of  personal  grievance,  or  affecting  the  honor  of 
rehgion,  yet  mean  to  affirm,  on  the  other  hand,  the  competency  of  the 
court  to  exercise  a  sound  discretion  as  to  the  pi'opriety  of  considering 
any  such  matter  brought  before  them:  and  so  far  as  appears  from- the 
facts  before  the  Assembly  in  this  case,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  the 
Presbytery  of  Louis\Tlle  did  not  exercise  this  discretion  improperly. 
But  though  the  General  Assembly  approves  of  the  decision  of  the  S}Tiod 
in  dismissing  the  complaint,  it  is  not  to  be  understood  as  approving  of 
all  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  Synt)d  for  that  decision. 

693.    Complaint  of  E.  E.  Bucon  atjainst  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

1879,  p.  42.  This  was  decided  by  the  following  vote :  To  sustain,  41 ; 
not  to  sustain,  65. 

P.  61.  The  vote  of  the  Assembly  in  not  sustaining  the  complaint  is 
understood  as  confirming  the  sentence  of  the  session  of  the  First  Church 


520  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VIII. 

of  St.  Joseph,  but  it  is  not  to  be  construed  as  giving  its  sanction  to  the 
irregularities  in  the  conduct  of  the  trial,  but  as  expressing  the  sense  of 
the  Assembly  as  to  the  substantial  justice  of  the  sentence  pronounced 
b3'  the  session  and  confirmed  by  the  Synod. 

694.  Mestoration  of  a  deposed  minister —  Case  of  Hev.  S.  P.  Linn: 

1880,  p.  202.  The  records  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  were  approved, 
vnth  the  exception  of  that  part  of  Synod's  action  recorded  on  pages 
297,  298,  in  du-ectiug  the  Presbytery  of  Louisiana  to  restore  the  Rev. 
S.  P.  Linn  to  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  the  ministry  in  a  manner 
at  variance  with  the  rules  of  disciphne  in  such  cases  provided.  (See 
Book  of  Discipline,  Chap.  II.,  Sec.  VII.) 

1881,  p.  394.  Records  of  Synod  of  Mississippi  approved  so  far  as 
written,  with  the  following  exceptions,  viz. :  On  page  324  of  the  re- 
cords, it  appears  that  a  former  action  of  Synod,  in  du'ecting  a  Presby- 
tery to  restore  a  deposed  minister,  had  met  the  disapproval  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  Synod  justifies  its  former  action  in  this  case  by 
saying  that  it  regards  the  language  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Chap. 
II.,  Sec.  VII.,  as  advisory,  whereas  it  is  mandatory,  and  requires  that 
a  Presbytery  act  with  great  caution,  and  restore  a  deposed  minister 
only  by  degrees. 

695.  First  appecd  of  IF.  S.  Turner  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia 

1881,  p.  367.  The  vote  on  this  appeal  was :  To  sustam,  90 ;  not  to 
sustain,  22;  non-liquet,  6. 

P.  378.  This  case  is  an  appeal  by  W.  S.  Turner  from  a  judicial  de- 
cision of  the  S3^nod  of  Georgia,  which,  in  effect,  sustained  the  session  of 
Central  chiu'ch,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  in  its  refusal  to  grant  the  appellant  a 
letter  of  dismission  to  the  Southern  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  upon 
the  ground  that  the  appellant  had  been  judicially  admonished  by  the 
session,  and  was,  therefore,  when  he  applied  for  the  letter  of  dismis- 
sion, under  judicial  censm'e,  and  so  not  entitled  to  such  a  letter. 

The  Assembly  is  of  opinion — 

1.  That  judicial  admonition  is  a  censiu'e  whose  legal  force  termi- 
nates when  it  is  infiicfted. 

2.  That  Mr.  W.  S.  Tm-ner  was  not,  therefore,  under  judicial  censure 
when  he  applied  for  a  letter  of  dismission. 

3.  That  he  was  m  "good  and  regular  standing"  in  the  sense  that 
he  was  not  under  judicial  process  or  censure. 

4.  That  the  said  Turner,  not  being  under  judicial  process  or  censure, 
was.  entitled  to  a  letter  (;f  dismission,  if  he  desired  it,  to  a  chiu'ch  in 
connection  with  this  Assembly. 

5.  That  the  usage  of  the  Church  is  to  grant  a  letter  of  dismission  to 
members  in  good  and  regular  standing,  to  churches  not  connected  with 
this  Assembly,  but  that  such  a  letter  cannot  be  demanded  as  a  matter  of 
legal  right. 

For  these  reasons  the  Assembly  sustains  the  appeal  of  W.  S.  Turner, 
and  reverses  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

696.  Second  and  third  appeals  of  W.  S.  Turner  from  the  Synod  of 

(ieoryia. 

1882,  p.  528.  Your  committee,  in  view  of  the  extreme  complications 
of  these  causes  and  the  absence  of  all  precedents,  so  far  as  known  to 


Sec;.  696.]  JuDici.\i,  Cases.  521 

your  committee,  applicable  to  some  phases  thereof,  and  believing  that 
the  best  interests  of  the  parties  concerned  and  the  highest  good  of  the 
Church  will  be  conserved  by  a  full  investigation,  respectfully  reports, 
recommending : 

That  this  Assembly  commit  the  whole  matter  of  the  two  appeals  to  a 
commission,  to  be  appointed  as  soon  as  possible,  to  tiy  the  cases  in  the 
manner  prescribed  by  the  miles  of  discipHne,  according  to  Chap,  V., 
Sec.  VII.,  of  Form  of  Government,  which  commission  shall  report  to 
this  Assembly.  The  committee  report  further,  that  the  appellant  has 
given  liis  consent  to  such  action.     Adopted. 

Thereupon  a  commission  of  twenty-seven  was  appointed.  Rev.  J. 
W.  Pratt,  chairman :  Eev.  E.  C.  Gordon,  secretary. 

P.  536  The  report  of  this  commission  was  approved,  and  its  minutes 
admitted  to  record. 

P.  538.  The  tirst  appeal  of  W.  S.  Turner  from  the  judgment  of  the 
Synod  of  Georgia  was  in  a  case  styled,  "Complaint  of  W.  S.  Turner 
against  the  session  of  the  Central  Presbyteiiau  church,  Atlanta,  Ga.  :'* 
said  judgment  having  been  on  an  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  the 
Presbyter}'  of  Atlanta  in  said  case. 

The  vote  of  the  commission  was  :  To  confirm  the  action  of  Sjoiod,  26  ; 
to  revei-se  the  action  of  Synod,  0  ;  not  voting,  1. 

The  following  minute,  expressing  the  judgment  of  the  commission, 
was  adopted: 

Li  the  case  before  us  the  commission  find  that  the  matenal  facts  are 
these :  J.  M.  Patton  was  clerk  of  the  session  of  the  Central  chiu-ch  of 
Atlanta,  and  as  such  was  charged  with  the  custody  of  the  records  of  the 
session,  and  with  the  duty  of  transmitting  to  the  Presbyter}'  of  Atlanta 
certain  testimony  which  had  been  taken  in  an  appeal  case  to  which  W. 
S.  Turner  was  a  party.  S.  M.  Inman,  who  had  been  examined  as  a 
witness,  was  permitted  by  the  clerk  to  examine  his  testimony  as  written, 
and  finding  his  statement  had  not  been  correctly  taken  down,  was  per- 
mitted to  make  an  alteration  so  as  to  make  the  deposition  conform  to 
what  he  said  in  his  examination.  The  clerk  transmitted  the  paper 
thus  changed,  promptly  informing  the  parties  of  the  fac;t.  For  this 
conduct  on  the  part  of  Patton,  W.  S.  Turner  preferred  charges  against 
him  before  the  session.  The  session,  on  investigation,  for  reasons  which 
they  assigned,  refused  to  put  Patton  on  his  trial,  and  for  this  Turner 
tiled  his  complaint  in  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  which  complaint  was 
heai'd  by  that  body  and  not  sustained.  From  this  decision  an  appeal 
was  taken  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  where  the  decision  of  the  Presby- 
tery was  confirmed,  and  from  this  an  appeal  has  been  prosecuted  to  the 
General  Assembly. 

The  commission  are  of  opinion  that  it  \\as  im})roper  for  the  clerk  to 
allow  the  alteraticni  in  the  record.  The  mistake  was  not  without  remedy, 
but  the  Presbytery,  and  not  the  clerk,  should  have  directed  the  manner 
in  which  it  should  have  been  rectified.  Inasmuch,  however,  as  it  does 
not  appear  that  any  wrong  was  intended  or  inflicted,  the  session  cor- 
rectly refused  to  put  the  clerk  on  tiial  under  the  accusation.  The  ses- 
sion is  not  recjuired  to  bring  an  accused  member  to  trial  merely  because 
charges  have  been  preferred  against  him.  It  is  a  matter  under  their 
discretion,  and  in  this  case  their  discretion  was  exercised  correctly,  and 
we  therefore  confirm  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

P.  539.     The  second  appeal  was  in  the  case  of  "The  Presbj'terian 


522  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.     [Book  VIII. 

Church  in  the  United  States  versus  W.  S.  Turner."  It  was  ordered 
that  the  only  papers  to  be  considered  by  the  commission  were  the  ap- 
peal of  Mr.  Turner  just  read,  and  the  records  of  the  S}Tiod  of  Georgia 
in  the  case,  including  the  appeal  fi"om  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta.    . 

The  vote  uj)on  the  appeal  was :  To  confii-m  the  judgment  of  Synod,  1 ; 
to  reverse,  24:  absent,  1 :  excused  1. 

The  following  judgment  was  ordered  to  be  entered  upon  the  record : 

P.  540.     The  commission  finds — 

1st,  That  W.  S.  Turner  appealed  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia  in  a  case 
adjudicated  by  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  styled  "The  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  vs.  W.  S.  Turner;"  the  same  being  a  case 
of  appeal  to  said  body  from  the  decision  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
church  of  Atlanta. 

2n(/,  That  Synod  did  not  hear  nor  try  the  case  on  its  merits,  but  dis- 
missed the  appeal  "  as  presenting  no  sufiicient  grounds  for  such  appeal." 

Srd,  That  this  judgment  of  the  S^^Tiod  in  summarily  dismissing  the 
appeal  was  erroneous. 

4:fh,  That  this  judgment  be,  therefore,  reversed,  and  the  case  remit- 
ted to  the  SjTiod  of  Georgia,  to  be  tried  on  its  merits. 

The  minutes  were  then  read  and  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  signed 
by  the  chairman  and  clerk,  and  presented  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  commission  then  adjourned.  Closed  with  prayer  by  the  chair- 
man. 

In  the  above  we  have  ouiitted  unimportant  portions  of  the  report  of  the  commis- 
sion.— A. 

697.  Fourth  appeal  of  W.  K  Turner  from  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

1883,  p.  17.  The  trial  of  this  case  was  ordered  to  be  had  by  a  com- 
mission. Twenty-seven  members  of  the  Assembly  were  appointed  such 
commission.  Rev.  J.  J.  BuUock,  D.  D.,  chairman;  Eev.  W.  A.  Alex- 
ander, secretary. 

P.  45.  The  report  of  the  commission  was  adopted.  From  that  re- 
port we  take  the  following : 

P.  47.     To  sustain  the  appeal,  1 :  not  to  sustain,  20. 

The  following  paper,  expressive  of  this  action,  was  adopted : 

The  commission  finds — 

That  this  case  was  before  the  General  Assembly  at  its  session  held 
in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  last  year,  and  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly  then  was, 
that  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  having  summarily  dismissed  the  appeal 
from  the  Presbytery  to  that  body  when  it  should  have  heard  the  case 
on  its  merits,  for  this  error  the  said  judgment  was  reversed,  and  the 
case  remitted  to  the  Synod,  "to  be  tried  on  its  merits."  (See  Minutes 
of  last  Assembly.) 

The  Synod  thereafter  proceeded  to  the  trial  of  the  case  by  a  com- 
mission, appointed  on  the  second  day  of  its  session  in  the  absence  of 
the  appellant,  who,  however,  did  appear  before  the  commission  on  the 
third  day  of  the  session  of  the  Synod,  and  allowed  the  commission  to 
go  forward  through  the  morning  witlaout  objection,  and  seemingly  ac- 
quiescing in  what  had  been  done.  But  in  the  afternoon  appellant  did 
object  to  the  jurisdicticjn  of  the  commission,  on  the  ground  that,  in 
violation  of  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  it  had  been  appointed  with- . 
out  his  consent ;  which  objection  being  overi'uled — the  SjTiod  holding 
that  this  error  had  been  waived  by  defendant's  appearance  without  ob- 


Sec.  698.]  Jt-Dici.\L  Cases.  523 

jection  through  the  forenoon — the  trial  proceeded  over  appellant's  pro- 
test :  and  the  judgment  of  the  commission  having  been  that  the  appeal 
be  not  sustained,  appellant  again  appealed  to  this  body,  alleging  the 
unconstitutionality  of  the  commission  by  which  the  case  had  been  tried, 
and  complaining  of  still  other  errors  and  irregularities,  all  which  are 
set  out  in  the  record. 

But,  by  the  concluding  paragraph  of  the  appellant's  petition  for  the 
appeal,  he  requested  that  this  Assembly  will  either  cuJjudicnte  tlie,  case 
on  its  merits  or  remand  it  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia  for  a  full  and  fair 
hearing  before  a  legally  and  constitutionally  constituted  court :  and  it 
not  appearing  that  additional  testimony  could  be  had  or  is  desired  by 
the  appellant,  and  it  appearing  that  the  case  is  fully  before  this  body 
on  its  merits,  and  the  commission  holding  that  on  this  state  of  facts  it 
has  full  jurisdiction  of  the  case,  and  it  appearing  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  commission  from  the  testimon}-  that  the  apj)ellant  is  guilty  as 
charged  in  the  indictment,  the  jvfdgment  of  the  court  is,  that  the  appeal 
be  not  sustained,  but  that  the  judgment  of  the  session  of  the  Central 
church  of  Atlanta  be  affirmed,  and  it  is  ordered  that  this  be  certified 
to  the  said  session  and  to  the  S^^lod  of  Georgia. 

698.    Complaint  of  the  Preshi/teri/  of  Memphis  acjainst  the  Synod  of 
3fentphis  in  the  matter  of  Rev.  Sam.  Pa/rk. 

1882,  J).  580.  This  case  was  styled  the  appeal  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Memphis  from  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Memphis,  sustaining  the 
complaint  of  Rev.  E.  E.  Evans  and  others  against  the  Presbytery  in 
denying  the  Eev.  Sam.  Park,  colored,  the  right  to  vote  in  said  Presby- 
teiy. 

The  following  from  the  Judici;il  Committee  was  adopted: 

Your  committee  report  that  they  have  found  the  record  of  the  case 
to  be  regular  in  all  respects  except  one,  to-wit,  that  the  paper  put  by 
the  Assembly  into  the  hands  of  the  committee  is  called  an  appeal,  and 
the  same  word  is  employed  throughout,  the  document.  It  aj^pears, 
however,  to  yotu'  committee  that  the  paper  is  technicj\lly  a  "  complaint," 
and  not  an  appeal.  But,  as  this  slight  irregularity  of  terms  does  not 
in  the  least  affect  the  subject-matter,  your  committee  recommend  that 
the  case  be  taken  up  as  a  complaint  and  considered  in  the  following 
order : 

(Here  the  order  of  procedure  was  given.) 

The  vote  was,  to  sustain  the  complaint,  42 :  not  to  sustain,  81. 

P.  5(37.     The  following  minute  was  adopted: 

Whereas  perfect  ministerial  parity  is  an  essential  and  fundamental 
principle  of  Presbyterian  pohty :  and 

Whereas  it  is  in  evidence  that  the  Eev.  Sam.  Park  was  duly  ordaiiied 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis  according  to  the  prt)visions  of  our  con- 
stitution ;  and 

Whereas  said  Presbytery  did,  at  several  times,  by  theii'  formal  act, 
recognize  him  as  a  duly  ordained  minister  imder  their  care :  therefore. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  this  court  that  Eev.  Sam.  Pjirk  was  in  full 
ministerial  connection  with  said  Presbytery,  and  consecpently  entitled 
to  vote,  and  that  this  court  do  not  sustain  the  complaint  of  said  Pres- 
byteiy. 

AVe  take  occasion  to  declare  our  full  persuasion  that  the  Presb>i.eiy 
of  Memphis,  in  denying  to  Eev.  Sam.  Park  the  exercise  of  his  right  as 


524  Digest  gf  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assejiblt.       [Book  VIIL 

a  presbyter,  were  not  at  all  influenced  by  race  prejudice,  but  simply 
desired  to  carry  oiTt  strictly  the  recommendation  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  1869. 

699.  Complaint  of  Rev.  W.  McKay  against  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

1883,  p.  24.  The  following,  reported  by  the  Judicial  Committee, 
was  adopted : 

The  facts  of  the  case  are,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Macon,  of  which  the 
complainant  was  a  member,  at  a  regular  session  thereof  held  at  Fort 
Gaines,  Georgia,  on  the  14th  of  April,  1881,  adopted  a  resolution  on 
the  subject  of  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  in  these  words:  "Resolved, 
That  from  this  time  Presbyteiy  will  regard  any  use  of  Sabbath  rail- 
way trains  by  its  members,  to  fill  preaching  appointments,  or  for  any 
other  purpose,  or  on  any  other  plea,  as  an  infraction  of  the  fourth  com- 
mandment, and  will  deal  with  it  accordingly." 

Of  this  resolution  Mr.  McKay  complained  to  his  Synod,  alleging  that 
there  is  no  scriptural  warrant  for  it,  and  that,  in  his  circumstances, 
which  are  set  out  at  length,  it  denies  him  an  unquestionable  right,  and 
works  a  great  hardship  upon  him.  This  complaint  came  before  the 
Synod,  at  a  regular  session  thereof  held  at  Milledgeville,  in  November 
last,  and  was  dismissed  by  that  body  "  for  the  reason  that  it  is  not  '  a 
complaint '  in  the  sense  in  which  the  term  is  used  in  the  Rules  of  Dis- 
ciphne,  Chap.  XIII.,  Sec.  IV." 

Your  committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  in  this  action  the  Synod  erred  ; 
they  beheve  that  the  complaint  is  one  in  the  sense  in  which  the  term  is 
xxsed  in  that  section  of  the  Rules  of  Discipline  referred  to  by  the  Synod, 
and  which  is  in  these  words  :  "  Any  member  of  the  Church,  submitting 
to  its  authority,  may  complain  against  every  species  of  decision,  except 
where  a  party  against  whom  a  decision  is  rendered  takes  his  appeal 
against  it." 

For  this  error  it  is  recommended  that  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  be 
reversed  and  the  case  remanded,  with  directions  to  the  Synod  to  decide 
upon  its  merits  the  question  which  it  involves. 

P.  48.  Exception  was  taken  to  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia 
(page  18)  because  the  Synod  dismissed  a  complaint  because  it  had  "  not 
been  made  the  subject  of  trial."  This  was,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Assembly,  an  error. 

700.  Complaint  of    C.  A.   Baker  and  others  against  the  Synod  of 

Alabama. 

1884,  p.  203.  The  history  of  the  case  in  brief  is  this:  A  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Opelika,  Ala.,  was  tried  by  its  session 
for  prof  am  ty,  was  found  guilty,  and  a  sentence  of  suspension  was  passed. 
On  application  a  new  trial  was  granted.  While  this  trial  was  pending, 
the  accused,  on  the  ground  of  a  conviction  of  prejudice  in  the  court, 
asked  a  reference  of  the  whole  matter,  with  the  records,  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  East  Alabama.  This  request  was  also  granted,  and  the  case 
referred.  The  Presbytery  of  East  Alabama  decided  that  "  the  charge 
was  sustained,  but  as  the  offense  Avas  committed  at  a  time  of  great  ex- 
citement, that  the  accused  be  affectionately  admonished  by  the  pas- 
tor and  retained  in  the  communion  and  fellowship  of  the  Church." 
Against  this  action  of  Presbytery,  "  as  a  censure  disproportionate  and 
inadequate  to  the  offense,"  complaint  was  made  by  certain  parties, 


Secs.  701-703.]  JuDicLA,L  Case.^.  525 

including  the  pastor  and  ruling  elders  of  the  Opelika  church,  to  the 
S^^lud  of  Alabama.  The  S^Tiod  sustained  the  complaint,  but  decided 
that  "  it  apjjeaiing  to  Synod  that  the  admonition  having  been  adminis- 
tered, and  the  sentence  of  Presbytery  executed  (pending  the  complaint), 
no  further  action  be  taken  in  the  case."  Against  this  action  of  8ynod 
"as  working  sericnis  injury  through  error  ccmtained  both  in  its  judgment 
and  in  the  ground  on  M'hich  that  judgment  is  based,'"  the  same  pai'ties, 
with  two  additional  names,  complain  to  this  General  Assembly. 

This  comjilaint  having  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  its  moderator 
within  ten  days  after  the  adjournment  of  Sj-nod,  and  being  regular  in 
form,  your  committee  bring  it  before  the  Assembly  for  trial,  presenting 
with  it  the  records  of  the  case  as  contained  in  the  minutes  of  the  infe- 
rior courts,  and  the  complaints  tt)  both  the  Presbyter}-  and  Synod. 

P.  208.  Vote:  To  sustain,  21;  to  sustain  in  part,  6;  not  to  sus- 
tain, 94. 

P.  214.  In  declining  to  sustain  the  complaint  against  the  Synod  of 
Alabama,  the  Assembly  bases  its  action  solely  upon  principles  of  eccle- 
siastical law,  and  must  not  be  understood  as  having  passed  any  judg- 
ment upon  the  merits  of  the  case  adjudicated  by  the  session  of  the 
church  at  Opelika  and  by  the  Presbyter^'  of  East  Alabama. 

701.  Complaint  of  Rev.  F.  P.  liamsdy  against  the  Sy^iodof  Virginia. 

1886,  p.  16.  The  following  minority  report  of  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee was  adopted : 

The  undersigned  members  of  the  Judicial  Committee  concur  in  the 
report  of  the  committee  in  the  matter  of  Rev.  F.  P.  Ramsay,  complainant, 
against  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  respondent,  in  so  far  as  said  report  states 
that  the  complaint  is  regular  pro  forma  ;  but  we  do  not  concur  in  the 
conclusions  or  tindiugs  of  the  committee,  because,  in  making  said  re- 
port, the  committee  has  usurjjed  the  powers  of  the  Assembly,  sitting  as 
a  coiu't  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  this,  that  said  report  is  a  tuial' judg- 
ment of  the  case  on  its  merits,  submitted  to  the  Assembly  for  its  concur- 
rence. In  lieu  of  said  report,  we  submit  the  statement  that  the  com- 
plaint is  regular  and  in  form,  and  herewith  return  the  record 

We  ask  that  the  case  be  docketed  and  set  for  trial. 

P.  17.     The  appeal  was  not  sustained. 

P.  54.  The  following  explanatory  minute  of  this  action  was  adopted: 
"  The  General  Assembly  refused  to  sustain  the  said  complaint  of  the 
Rev.  F.  P.  Ramsay,  for  the  reason  that  no  law  of  the  Chiu'ch  had  been 
violated  in  his  case,  either  by  the  S}Tiod  or  the  Presbytery.'" 

702.  Coniphiint  of  Rev.  James  Woodrow  against  the  St/nod  of  Oeorgia. 

1887,  p.  205.  A  letter  was  received  from  the  complainant,  informing 
the  Assembly  that  by  reason  of  sickness  he  could  not  be  jiresent  to 
prosecute  his  complaint  before  the  Assembly,  and  asking  that  steps  be 
taken  to  protect  his  right  to  prosecute  his  complaint  before  the  next 
Assembly.     This  letter  was  ordered  to  be  spread  on  the  record. 

703.  Appeal  of  Rev.  1).   V.  Robinson  fro)n  the  Synod  of  North 

Carolina. 

1887,  p.  244.  This  case  was  heard  before  a  commission.  Rev.  J.  A. 
Wallace,  cliairman ;  Rev.  A.  A.  Pfanstiehl,  clerk.     To  sustain,  10 ;    to 


526  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.      [Book  VIII. 

sustain  in  part,  4 :  not  to  sustain,  9.  The  foUowing  minute,  expressive 
of  the  verdict,  was  adopted : 

It  appearing  from  the  papers  in  the  case  that  Rev.  D.  P.  Eobinson 
was  suspended  from  the  ministry  for  the  mere  fact  of  disobedience  to 
and  contempt  of  the  civil  magistrate,  without  accusing  him  in  the  indict- 
ment of  moral  turpitude  in  the  mode  of  that  disobedience,  your  com- 
mission report  the  foUowing  verdict:  The  appeal  is  sustained  on  the 
ground  that  the  infliction  and  continuance  of  an  ecclesiastical  censure 
ma}'  not  be  conditioned  soleh'  on  disobedience  to  or  contempt  of  a  civil 
court. 

The  finding  of  the  commission  was  approved  by  the  Assembly. 

The  followmg  protest,  signed  by  A.  M.  McPheeters  and  ten  others, 
was  admitted  to  record  without  answer  : 

We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  enter  oiu-  protest  against  the  ac- 
tion of  the  Assembly  in  approving  the  finding  of  the  commission  in  the 
case  of  the  appeal  of  Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  against  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina,  on  the  following  grounds : 

1.  That  the  commission  refused  to  entertain  evidence  that  was  before 
the  Synod,  on  which  the  representatives  of  the  Synod  stated  that  the 
verdict  of  the  Synod  was  based,  and  that  without  hearing  said  e\i- 
dence. 

2.  That  the  verdict  is  contrary  to  the  law  of  the  Church  in  deciding 
that  disobedience  to  the  civil  authorities,  for  which  no  satisfactory  ex- 
cuse is  rendei'ed,  is  not  a  moral  offense,  punishable  with  spiritual 
penalties.     (See  Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXIIL,  Sec.  IV.) 

(With  reference  to  the  tirst  grouud  of  the  protest,  ttie  record  of  the  commissiou 
contains  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  this  commission  explain  that  what  is  germane  to  the  case  before 
us  includes  testimony  only  as  to  the  furt  that  the  appellant  refused  to  submit  to  the 
civil  court. 

The  appellant  having  confessed  (1)  that  suit  was  brought  against  him;  (2)  that 
the  summons  was  served;  (3)  that  judgment  was  rendered  by  default;  and  (4)  that 
.he  did  not  comply  with  order  of  the  court,  the  reading  of  testimony  to  establish 
these  facts  was  omitted  by  consent  of  parties.  The  appellant  further  waived  the 
question  as  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court.  — A.) 

A  further  reason  for  protest  assigned  by  A.  M.  McPheeters  is,  that 
the  verdict  mistakes  the  indictment  in  asserting  that  it  did  not  charge 
moral  tui'pitude  in  the  mode  of  disobedience. 

B.  M.  Palmer  and  two  others  dissent  from  the  action  of  the  Assem- 
bly in  confirming  the  report  of  the  commission  on  the  second  ground. 

A  complaint  of  Mecklenbin-g  Presbytery  against  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina,  connected  ^^'ith  and  growing  out  of  the  above  case  of  Mr. 
Robinson,  was  referred  to  the  next  Assembly.     (P.  245.) 

704.  JHscipline  without  trial,  but  lohere  confession  has  been  made  to  a 

committee. 

1870,  p.  536.  The  following,  after  debate,  was  referred  to  the  next 
Assembly. 

The  Presbytery  of  Montgomer}-  beg  leave  to  present  the  following 
overture  to  the  General  Assembly  about  to  convene  in  Louisville,  Ky. : 

May  a  member  of  the  Church,  in  consistenc}'  with  the  constitutional 
rules,  be  suspended  or  exc(jmmunicated  from  the  Church  without  trial 
for  charges  brought  against  him,  and  without  being  befoi'e  the  court 
to  which  he  is  amenable,  but  simply  upon  the  report  of  a  committee  of 


Sec.  705.  |  JvmcixL  Cases.  527 

the  court  that  he  had  confessed  to  it  that  he  was  guilty  of  ci'imes 
worthy  in  their  uatui'e  of  suspension  and  excommunication  ? 

1871,  p.  28.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  reported,  recom- 
mending : 

Yom*  committee  respectfully  recommend  that  this  question  be  an- 
swered in  the  negative,  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  When  an  accused  person,  after  due  citation,  pleads  guilty  before 
the  court  empowered  to  try  him,  the  necessity  of  further  investigation 
is,  of  course,  supei'seded,  and  the  coui't  may  proceed  at  once  to  pass 
the  appropriate  sentence.  But  it  is  not  safe,  in  every  case,  to  accept 
the  report  of  a  committee,  such  as  is  described  in  the  overture,  as  con- 
clusive proof  that  the  accused  intends  deliberately  to  plead  guilty.  The 
committee  may  misunderstand  or  misrepresent  his  contumacy  or  con- 
fession. 

2.  In  Chap.  r\^,  Sec.  IX.,  of  the  Book  of  Discij)line  (Of  Actual  Pi'o- 
cess),  we  find  this  law:  "The  judicatory,  in  many  cases,  may  find  it 
more  for  edification  to  send  some  member  to  converse  in  a  private  man- 
ner with  the  accused  person;  and,  if  he  confess  guilt,  to  endeavor  to 
bring  him  to  repentance,  than  to  proceed  immediately  to  citation." 
We  have  here  described  the  proper  action  to  be  taken  by  just  such  a 
committee  of  the  court  as  the  above  overture  contemplates.  The  only 
result  aimed  at  by  such  private  deahng  of  that  committee  with  the 
accused  confessing  his  guilt  is  the  bringing  of  him  to  repentance ;  and 
we  hear  nothing  in  this  law  of  a  sentence  immediately  founded  on  the 
report  of  the  interview.  On  the  contrary,  it  seems  to  be  implied  that 
the  proper  alternative  is  the  citation  of  the  accused,  i^rovided  he  cannot 
be  brought  to  repentance  after  confession  of  guilt. 

3.  In  the  same  chapter,  Sec.  XL,  it  is  written  that,  although  the  ac- 
cused shall  declare,  in  wiiting  or  otherwise,  and  to  the  court  itself,  his 
puiix)se  not  to  obey  a  citation,  "this  declaration  shall  in  no  case  induce 
the  judicatory  to  deviate  from  the  regtilar  course  prescribed  for  cita- 
tions. They  shall  proceed  as  if  no  such  declai'ation  had  been  made. 
The  person  cited  may  afterwards  alter  his  mind."  The  regular  com-se 
prescribed  for  such  cases  is  (Sec.  X.)  that  he  shall  be  cited  a  second 
time  before  sentence  is  pronounced.  The  spu-it  of  tlris  rule  evidently 
requires  such  second  citation,  and,  for  the  stronger  reason,  before  the 
coiu't  can  properly  proceed  to  final  sentence  against  an  accused  person 
wh(j  has»given  a  weaker  eridence  of  contumacy,  by  a  verbal  avowal  of 
guilt  in  private,  "  he  ma}'  afterwards  alter  his  mind ;  "  and,  submitting 
himself  to  the  lawful  jiuisdiction,  he  may  so  explain  his  fault,  or  mani- 
fest such  penitence  as  ought  to  modify  the  penalty. 

For  these  reasons  the  Assembly  decides  that  sentence  may  not  be 
la^^'ully  passed  on  any  member  or  officer  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
unless  he  confess  his  guilt  in  the  presence  of  the  court  itself,  or  else 
demonstrate  his  own  contumacy  after  a  second  formal  citation,  as  above 
prescribed  in  the  constitution. 

705.    y/ic  ri(/ht  to  ooerture,  appeal  and  complain  cannot  be  abj'idged. 

187K,  p.  610.  The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtiu-es  report  on  over- 
ture No.  1,  from  the  Sjniod  of  Texas,  asking  the  Assembly  to  decide 
that  "  aU  overtures,  appeals,  complaints,  etc.,  should  proceed  in  regular 
gradation  from  the  session  to  the  Presbytery,  from  the  Presb^teiy  to 


528  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Gener.u.  Assembly.      [Book  VIII. 

the  Synod,  and  from  the  Synod  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  vice  versa, 
■without  omitting  any  of  the  intermediate  courts." 
The  following  reply  is  recommended : 

1.  As  to  judicial  cases  we  refer  to  Chap.  VI.,  Sec.  III.,  Art.  VI.,  Book 
of  Discipline. 

2.  That  while  the  General  Assembly  may  recommend  that  overtiu'es 
should  ordinarily  be  sent  from  the  Synod,  it  cannot  deny  the  right  of 
Presbyteries,  the  constituent  elements  of  the  Assembly,  nor  of  individ- 
uals, to  overtiu'e  the  Geneial  Assembly  whenever  circumstances  may 
requii"e. 

3.  That  the  General  Assembly  has  the  right  to  send  its  deliverances 
directly  to  the  Presbyteries.     Adopted. 

706.    Counsel  for  the  accused. 

1879,  p.  51.  liesolved,  That  when  our  book  says  that  an  accused 
person  may,  if  he  desires  it,  be  represented  in  the  superior  courts  by 
"  any  member  of  the  court "  (or  as  the  old  book  expresses  it,  *'  by  any 
minister  or  elder  belonging  to  the  judicatory,")  the  design,  according 
to  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  is  not  to  allow  any  array  of  coimsel, 
but  the  privilege  is  to  be  limited  to  the  aid  which  one  advocate  can 
give  him. 

707.  Refusal  to  obey  a  citation  from  the  session. 

See  chapter  on  the  session. 

708.  Who  are  entitled  to  sit  in  a  judical  case. 
In  the  minute  touching  the  Park  case  the  following  is  found : 

1882,  p.  530.  After  the  reading  of  the  record  in  the  case  it  was  de- 
cided that  members  of  the  General  Assembly  who  were  absent  during 
the  proceedings  of  the  trial  by  permission  of  the  court  were  entitled  to 
sit  in  judgment  in  the  case. 

709.    Courts  not  parties  in  jxidicial  cases. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  commission  which  tried  the  fourth  appeal  of 
W.  S.  Turner  against  the  Synod  of  Georgia  the  following  is  to  be  foimd  : 

1883,  p.  46.  It  was  moved  that  Eev.  J.  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  of  the 
Synod  of  Georgia,  be  allowed  to  appear  before  the  commission  and 
plead  in  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Carried,  with  one  dissent- 
ing vote. 

The  appellant  requested  that  his  dissent  to  the  admission  of  Dr. 
Woodrow,  as  counsel  in  the  case,  be  noted  in  the  minutes  of  the  com- 
mission, on  the  ground  that  he  is  neither  an  original  party  in  the  cause 
nor  a  member  of  the  coiurt. 

While  the  finding  of  the  commission  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly, 
this  particular  action  of  the  commission  was  virtually  disapproved  later, 
as  follows :  < 

P.  48.  Exception  to  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia :  On  page 
27,  Synod  appointed  a  member  to  represent  it  before  the  General  As- 
sembly in  an  appeal  case.  Your  committee  think  that  om'  coruis  are 
not  parties  in  judicial  cases,  and  hence  are  not  entitled  to  be  I'epre- 
sented  in  the  superior  courts.     Adopted. 


ROOK    IX. 

GENERAL  STATISTICAL  INFORMATION. 


SrccEssioN  OF  Moderators. 

A   D  Name.  Presbytery.  Plac!E. 

1861.  Kev.  Benjamin  M.  Palmer.  D.  D., New  Orleans. Angnsta. 

1862.  Rev.  John  L.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  D., Concord.   Montgomery. 

1863.  Rev.  James  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.. Tombeckbee, Columbia. 

1864.  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  D.  D., Flint  River, Charlotte. 

1865.  Rev.  George  Howe,  D.  D., Charleston, Macon. 

1866.  Rev.  Andrew  Hart  Kerr,  D.  D., Memphis,   Mem^Dhis. 

1867.  Rev.  Thomas  Vernor  Moore,  D.  D., East  Hanover, Nashville. 

1868.  Rev.  John  X.  Waddel,  D.  D., Chickasaw, Baltimore. 

1869.  Rev.  Stnart  Robinson,  D.  D., Louisville. Mobile. 

1870.  Rev.  Robert  L.  Dabney,  D.  D.,  . West  Hanover, Louisville. 

1871.  Rev..Wm.  S.  Plumer,  D.  D., Harmony, Hunts\'ille. 

1872.  Rev.  Thomas  R.  Welch,  D.  D., Arkansas, Richmond. 

1873.  Rev.  Henry  Martyn  Smith.  D.  D., New  Orleans, Little  Rock. 

1874.  Rev.  John  L.  Girardeau,  D.  D Charleston, Columbus. 

1875.  Rev.  Moses  D.  Hoge,  D.  D., East  Hanover,   St.  Louis. 

1876.  Rev.  Benjamin  M.  Smith,  T).  D., West  Hanover, Savannah. 

1877.  Rev.  C.  A.  Stillman,  D.  D., ...Tuskaloosa,    New  Orleans. 

1878.  Rev.  T.  E.  Peck,  D.  D., Roanoke, Knoxville. 

1879.  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D., Wilmington, Louisville. 

1880.  Rev.  T.  A.  Hoyt,  D.  D., ...Nashville, Charleston. 

188L  Rev.  Robert  P.  Farris,  D.  D.. St.  Louis, Staunton. 

1882.  Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D., Central  Texas, Atlanta. 

1883.  Rev.  T.  Pryor,  D.  D., East  Hanover, Lexington. 

1884.  Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  D.  T).. ...Louisville, Vicksburg. 

1885.  Rev.  H.  R.  Raymond.  I).  D.. Tuskaloosa,    Houston. 

1886.  Rev.  J.  H.  Bryson.  1).  D.. North  Alabama, Augusta. 

1887.  Rev.  (i.  B.  Strickhr.  D.  1).. Atlanta, St.  Louis. 


SiccEssioN  OF  Clerks. 

Suited  ( 'l>r/,),.      1861- 18(>5. Rev.  John  N.  Waddel,  D.  D. 

1865 Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson.  D.  T). 

Ptrimuimt  Clerks.      1H61-1865. Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

1865-1885, Rev.  William  Brown,  D.  D. 

1885  Rev.  Robt.  P.  Fanis.  D.  D. 


530  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.       [Book  IX. 

Officers  of  the  Executive  Committees. 
I.  FoKEiGN  Missions. 

Secretaries.— 1S61-1885, Kev.  J.  Leightou  Wilson,  D.  D. 

{Emeritus,  1885-1887.) 

1872-1882, Rev.  E.  Mcllwaine,  Co-ordinate  Secretary. 

1884-1885, Eev.  M.   H.   Houston,   U.  D.,   Assistant  to  Dr. 

AVilson. 

1885  , Rev.  M.  H.  Houston,  1).  I).,  Solr  Secretary. 

Treasurers.— 1S61-1872, Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D. 

1872-1882, Rev.  R.  Mclhvaine.  D.  D. 

1882    , L.  C.  Inglis,  Esq. 

II.   Home  Missions. 
Secretaries.  — 181)1-18(33, _Rev.  John  Leyburn,  D.  D. 

1863-1882. Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D. 

1872-1882, Rev.  R.  Mcllwaine,  D.  D.,  Co-ordinate  Secretai-y. 

1882-1883, Rev.  R.  Mcllwaine,  D.  D.,  Sole  Secretary. 

1883^ , Rev.  J.  N.  Craig,  D.  D. 

Treasurers.— \%%\-\%^2,, S.  B.  Newman,  Esq. 

1863-1872, Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.    ' 

1872-1883, Rev.  R.  Mcllwaine,  D.  D. 

1883-1886, ^...L.  C.  Inglis,  Esq. 

1886  , W.  A.  Powell,  Esq. 

III.   Publication. 

Secretaries.  — \8'n\-V6^6, .-: Rev.  Wm.  Brown,  D.  D. 

1863-1865, Rev.  John  Leyburn,  D.  D.' 

1865,    Rev.  Wm.  Brown,  D.  J).,  pro  teia. 

1865-1877, Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D. 

1877, Rev.  W.  A.  Campbell,  pro  tern. 

1877  , Rev.  J.  K.  Hazen,  D,  D. 

Treasurers.  — 1861-1862, Ai-chibald  Boiling,  Esq. 

1862-1865, -  James  Miller,  Esq. 

1865-1866, W.  F.  Taylor,  Esq. 

1866-1878, Charles  Gennet,  Esq. 

1878  , Rev.  J.  K.  Hazen,  D.  D. 

IV.   Education. 
Secretaries.  -18i3l-l8m, Rev.  J.  H.  Gray,  D.  D. 

1863, Rev.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Provisional  Sec'y. 

1863-1874 Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D. 

1865, Rev.  Wm.  Brown,  D.  D. ,  pro  tern. 

1874-1879 Rev.  J.  N.  Waddel,  D.  D. 

1879,    Rev.  E.  M.  Richardson,  D.  1).,  Provisional  Sec'y. 

1880 , Rev.  E.  M.  Richardson,  D.  D. 

Treamrers.-   1861   1863, J.  B.  Kirtland,  Esq. 

18(;3  1865, James  Miller,  Esq. 

1865-1866, W.  F.  Taylor,  Esq. 

186(i-1874, Charles  Gennet,  Esci. 

1874-1875, Jas.  Elder,  Esq. 

1875-1877, A.  F.  Dod,  Esq. 

1877         -,    G.  W.  McCrae,  Esq. 


General  Statistical  Information.  531 

V.     BOAKD    OF    TeUSTEES. 

Presidents.— 18(33-18&5,... Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.  D. 

1865-1873, Hon.  T.  C.  Perrin. 

1873 , James  Hemphill,  Esq. 

Treasurers.     1805- 18(58, -  A.  Crawford,  Esci- 

18(58-1881, Jesse  H.  Lindsay,  Esq. 

1881-1884, John  E.  Brown,  Esq. 

1884-1885, A.  (i.  Brenizer,.  Esq. 

1885-  188(j, J.  C.  Burroughs,  Esq. 

188G- 1887, John  E.  Brown,  Esq. 

1887 , J.  E.  Oates,  Esq. 


CoRRESPONDrN(T   Delegates   Sent  by  the   General   Assembly  to  Other 
Ecclesiastical  Bodies. 

[The  liginvs  give  the  years  when  the  apiiointments  were  maile  by  the  .\88embly.] 
I.   To  THE  United  Synod  of  the  Pkesbytekian  Chx;i{(;h. 

Princip.^l.  Altern.vie. 

1861, Rev.  G.  D.  Armstrong,  1).  D., Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D. 

1862,    Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  D.  D., Rev.  W.  J.  Hoge,  D.  D. 

The  appointment  of  1862  was  repeated  in  1863. 

II.   To  THE  Clmbekland  Pkesbyteeian  Chukch. 

Principal.  ALXERV.vrE. 

1861, Rev.  R.  B.  McMullen,  1).  D., Rev.  John  Hunter. 

1862,. Rev.  Prof.  R.  S.  Gladney, Rev.  J.  O.  Steadman,  D.  D. 

1863, ...Rev.  J.  N.  Waddel,  D.  D., Rev.  W.  A.  Harrison. 

1866, Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon, Rev.  D.  H.  Cummins. 

1867,.-. Rev.  A.  H.  Kerr,  D.  D., Rev.  R.  F.  Bimting,  D.  D. 

1868,.-. Rev.  J.  W.  Neil, Rev.  H.  B.  Boude. 

1869,..- Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot, Rev.  H.  H.  Paine. 

1870, -..Rev.H.  H.  Hopkins, Rev.  J.  T.  Hendrick,  D.  D. 

1871, ..Rev.  W.  E.  Junkin, Rev.  J.  M.  P.  Otts. 

1872, ...Rev.  P.  B.  Price,... Rev.  R.  J.  Taylor. 

1873, ...Rev.  J.  W.  Pugh, Rev.  A.  P.  Smith. 

1875, Rev.  R.  K.  Smoot,  D.  D., Rev.  J.  W.  Pugh. 

1876, Rev.  J.  E.  Du  Bose,  ..- Rev.  J.  T.  Hendrick,  D.  D. 

The  appointment  of  1863  was  renewed  in  18()4. 

III.   To  the  .-Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  Soith. 

Pkinch'ai..  Alternate. 

18(il Rev.  David  Wills, .Rev.  D.  McNeiU  Turner,  D.  D. 

1863 Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson,  1).  D., Rev.  E.  T.  Biiist,  D.  D. 

1864, Rev.  George  Howe.  D.  D., Rev.  Wm.  Banks. 

1866, ...Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon,  1).  D., Rev.  J.  N.  Carothers. 

1867 Rev.  T.  R.  English, Rev.  H.  R.  Dickson. 

1869,.. Rev.  G.  W.  Boggs, Rev.  G.  H.  W.  Petrie. 

1870, Rev.  A.  H.  Kerr,  D.  D.,.. Rev.  D.  H.  Cummins. 

1871, Rev.  E.  McNair, Rev.  D.  McNeill  Turner,  D.  D. 


532  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.         |BqoK  IX 

Principal.  Alternate. 

1872, Rev.  John  Douglas, Rev.  A.  W.  Miller. 

1873, Rev.  I.J.  Long, Rev.  Joseph  Bardwell. 

1876, Rev.  I.  S.  X.  Axson,  D.  D.,.. ..Rev.  John  Douglas. 

The  appointment  of  1861  was  renewed  in  1862 ;  also  that  of  1867  in  the  follow- 
ing year. 

IV.  To  THE  German  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South. 

Principal.  Alternate. 

1861, Rev.  R.  H.  Morrison, Rev.  D.  A.  Penick. 

1863, Rev.  John  Donglas, Rev.  A.  F.  Dickson. 

1864, Rev.  D.  A.  Penick,  Sr., ...Rev.  J.  Henry  Smith. 

The  appointment  of  1861  was  renewed  in  1862. 

V.  To  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Convention. 

Principal.  Alternate. 

1861, Rev.  Wm.  Banks, Rev.  A.  A.  James. 

1863, Rev.  J.  E.  White, Rev.  M.  D.  Wood. 

VI.   To  Churches  in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  Continent  of  Europe. 

1866,      Rev.  Drs.  M.  D.  Hoge,  B.  M.  Palmer,  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Girardeau. 

1874, Revs.  John  Leybnrn  and  James  Woodrow. 

VII.  To  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. 
Principal.  Alternate. 

1868, Rev.  J.  A.  Lefevre, Rev.  E.  W.  Bediuger. 

VIII.  To  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

Principal.  .  Alternate. 

1871, Rev.  D.  Wills,  D.  D., Rev.  R.  Mclnnis. 

1872, Rev.  J.  S.  Grasty,  D.  D., Rev.  W.  W.  Dinwiddle. 

1873, Rev.  T.  R.  Welch,  D.  D., Rev.  Wm.  Dinwiddie. 

IX.   To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 
Principal.  Alternate. 

1871, Rev.  J.  H.  Bryson, Rev.  S.  J.  Baird,  D.  D. 

1872, Rev.  M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D., Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

1873, Rev.  E.  T.  Baird,  D.  D., Rev.  L.  H.  Blanton. 

1874, Rev.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.  D., Rev.  H.  C.  Alexander. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Inglis, Hon.  R.  Onld. 

1875, Rev.  J.  A.  Lefevre.  

Hon.  J.  L.  Marye. 

1876, Rev.  R.  G.  Brank, Rev.  W.  S.  Plumer,  D.  D. 

Hon.  J.  T.  L.  Preston, .. Hon.  J.  A.  Inglis. 

1877, Rev.  J.  B.  Adger,  D.  D., Rev.  E.  H.  Rutherford. 

1878,..- Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy,  D.  D., Rev.  G.  T.  Goetchius. 

1879, Rev.  C.  H.  Read,  D.  D., Rev.  W.  U.  Murkland. 

1881, Rev.  Miles  Saunders,  Rev.  John  A.  Scott,  Sr. 

1882, Rev.  J.  Henry  Smith,  D.  D. , Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  D.  D. 

1883,.. Rev.  H.  M.  White,  D.  D., Rev.  J.  P.  Smith. 

X.  To  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church. 
1882,.. Revs.  J.  A.  Lefevre  and  A.  C.  Hopkins. 


General  Statisticax  Infokmation.  533 

XI.   To  THE  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
Principal.  Alternate. 

1882, Rev.  \Vm.  Brown,  D.  D., Rev.  R.  P.  Farris,  D.  D. 

Rev.  T.  A.  Hoyt.  D.  D., Rev.  H.  C.  Alexander,  D.  D. 

Hon.  B.  M.  Estes, Hon.  P.  Joyce. 

1883, Rev.  M.  D.  Hoge,  D.  D., Rev.  R.  G.  Brank,  D.  D. 

J.  B.  Strattou,  D.  D., Rev.  W.  F.  V.  Bartlett,  D.  D. 


Corresponding  Delegates  to  the  General  Assembly  from  Other  Eccle- 
siastical Bodies. 

I.  From  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South. 
1861,   Rev.  Henry  Quigg.  1870,  Rev.  W.  M.  McElwee. 

1863,  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier,  D.  D.  1871,   Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan. 

1864,  Rev.  L.  McDonald.  1873,  Rev.  Monroe  Oates. 

1866,  Rev.  H.  L.  Mnrphy.  1876,  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips,  D.  D. 

1867,  Rev.  D.  Pressly.  1877,  John  Miller   D.  D. 
1869,   Rev.  John  Miller. 

II.  Fnoir  THE  Independent  Presbyterian  Convention. 

1863,   Rev.  R.  Y.  Rnssel. 

III.   FiioM  THE  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

1866,  Rev.  C.  A.  Davis,  D.  D.  1874,   Rev.  J.  L.  Cooper. 

1867,  Rev.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.  D.  1875,  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan. 

1869,  Rev.  S.  P.  Chesuut.  1879,  Rev.  R.  H.  Caldwell. 

1870,  Rev.  J.  C.  Bowdeu.  1880,  Rev.  W.  B.  Farr,  D.  D. 
1873,   Rev.  S.  H.  Buchanan. 

IV.  From  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

1867,  Rev.  A.  P.  Forman.  1871,   Hon.  Edward  Bredell. 

1871,  Rev.  John  L.  Yantis,  D.  D.  1872,  Rev.  \V.  W.  Trimble. 
Rev.  K.  I'.  Farris.  D.  D. 

V.  From  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. 

1867,   Rev.  J.  T.  Heudrick,  D.  D.  1868,   Rev.  R.  L.  Breck. 

Rev.  S.  Robinson,  D.  1).  Rev.  J.  D.  Matthews,  D.  D. 

Rev.  D.  O.  Davies.  Samnel  Cassidy. 

Rev.  G.  O.  Barnes.  E.  S.  Edmonds. 

(Jlass  Marshall. 

VI.   From  the  (teneral  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

1871,  Rev.  John  A.  Todd,  D.  D.  1879,   Kev.  W.  R.  Duryea,  D.  D. 

1872,  Rev.  A.  B.  Van  Zaudt,  D.  D.  1880,   Rev.  Charles  Scott,  D.  D. 

1873,  Rev.  Chas.  H.  Stitt,  D.  D.  1881,  Rev.  Wm.  P.  Handy. 

1874,  Rev.  Abel  T.  Stuart.  1882,  Rev.  Oscar  H.  Gregory,  D.  D. 

1875,  Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse,  D.  D.  1883,  Rev.  Wm.  Ormiston,  D.  D. 

S.  W.  Heath,  Esq.  1884,   Rev.  CorneUus  Van  Sanvoord,  D.D. 

1877,  Rev.  Jacob  Chamberlain.  1887.  Rev.  Henry  M.  Cox. 

1878,  Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers,  D.  D. 


534  Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly.        [Book  IX. 

VII.  Fbom  the  Feee  Chuech  or  Scotland. 
1874,  Rev.  James  Chalmers  Burns,  M.  A. ,  and  Eev.  James  Hood  Wilson,  M.  A. 

VIII.   Fkom  the  Refokmed  Episcopal  Chuech. 
1877,  Rev.  Benjamin  Johnson.  1878,  Rev.  J.  Howard-Smith,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Jos.  D.  Wilson. 

IX.  From  the  Peesbyteeian  Chuech  in  the  United  States  of  Ameeica. 
1883,  Rev.  S.  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.  1883,  Hon.  S.  M.  Moore. 

Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  I).  D.  Hon.  Wm.  Strong. 

Rev.  S.  Irenaeus  Prime,  D.  D.         1884,  Rev.  Arthur  Mitchell,  D.  D. 
Rev.  E.  P.  Humphrey,  D.  D.  Rev.  Henry  A.  Nelson,  D.  D. 

Rev.  T.  S.  Hastings.  D.  D.  Hon.  George  H.  Shields. 


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536 


Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly. 


[Book  IX. 


STATISTICS  OF  FOEEIGN  MISSIONS, 

Taken  from  the  Annual  Reports  of  the  ExEcuTrv'E  Committee. 


TS   CONTBI- 
ED. 

z 

H 

S  C8 
O  o 

TS  FROM  MlS- 

rABY  Societies. 

z 

u 

< 

■  a 

O  t«  . 

fi  a  o 

irl  SJ  o 

Contributing 
day-schools. 

1  ^  d 

W  a;  g 

iZ  H  IB 

Z   H 

f»  5 

a  fi 

^  u 

Z  H  a 

fe  z 

2  S  O 

i  o  ^;  a 

PS 

O  & 

O  K 

m  2 

o  o 

t3  &  3 

0  s 

<!  «  « 

'  s  «  w 

■<• 

O  M 

.U 

Q  m 

.00 

O  MCC 

.02 

0  -1  (ii 

.5^H 

K 

S 

o 

H 

o 

s 

0 

« 

S 

< 

^ 

« 

» 

< 

"A 

o 

§ 

1869 

$20,555 

598 

$2524 

105 

1870 

29,055 

633 

3433 

11 

"i? 

1871 

27,295 



3517 

9 

16 

1872 

47,182 

710 



3443 

10 

24 

1873 

47,875 

690 



7804 



14 

31 

1874 

42,431 

890 



6883 



16 

40 

1875 

44,291 

895 

"$4^455 

.-- 

6068 

19 

46 

1876 

61,121 

1119 

7,818 

i48 

6606 

270 

17 

44 

1877 

55,121 

1053 

9,627 

172 

6798 

262 

15 

35 

1878 

47,225 

1085 

10,108 

176 

5992 

237 

13 

33 

1879 

46,235 

1193 

8,81G 

183 

5490 

226 

15 

37 

1880 

48,486 

1200 

10,031 

211 

5984 

232 

15 

36 

1881 

59,215 

1268 

10,604 

264 

6247 

289 

18 

41 

1882 

69,309 

1295 

10,984 

280 

6326 

260 

20 

47 

1883 

69,071 

1250 

13,054 

304 

6945 

315 

23 

50 

1884  , 

70,167 

1269 

12,471 

311 

6683 

298 

23 

56 

1885 

72,564 

1370 

16,033 

369 

7558 

316 

24 

57 

1886 

73,170 

1016 

16,654 

303 

7488 

219 

24 

54 

1887 

84,072 

1481 

18,907 

373 

7699 

301 

24 

56 

The  number  of  native  ordained  missionaries,  compared  with  the  number  sent  out 
from  this  country,  has  been  in  an  increasing  ratio,  and  is  now  more  than  sixty  per 
cent,  of  that  number.  This  is  even  more  strikingly  true  of  the  entire  body  of  mis- 
sionary laborers,  which  has  advanced  relatively  in  numbers,  until  they  are  now, 
and  have  been  for  some  years,  more  than  double  the  number  of  such  laborers  sent 
out  from  this  land. 


General  Statistical  Information. 


537 


STATISTICS    OF    HOME    MISSIONS. 


c 

si 

o  S 

1? 

F  Ministers 

c 

B 

B 
Z  . 

c 
o  a 

B 
H 
B 

< 

S 

7. 

O 

o 

P 

0  < 

O  -0 

2§ 

«  9 

a  0 

0  -' 

3 

1% 

H  Z 
SB'-' 

^• 

B  0 

2  0 

P3  C 

5S 

Pop 

% 

«  S 

P  O 

"Z 

C  H 

S  n 

S< 

s< 

O  Hll* 

< 

b  n 

O  H 

H 

S 

s 

u 

p 

g" 

s 

> 

K 

S 

PH 

< 

is 

% 

a 

-«: 

< 

H 

o 

^ 

1866 

$33,472 

217 

220 

30 

$8000 

1867 

29,049 

450 

120 

.. 

. 

1868 

23,942 

439 

104 

.. 



1869 

26,948 

652 

118 

17 

2970 

.. 

$3624 

1870 

23,431 

624 

--- 

8 

1000 

.. 

6470 

1871 

21,890 



.. 



.. 

6503 

1872 

22,609 



.-. 

1000 

._ 

6353 

1873 

23,525 



144 

26 

3290 

$2671 

18 

8096 

1874 

25,717 

756 

180 

12 

2100 

6691 

12 

382 

9340 

1875 

21,665 

855 

153 

19 

2520 

6702 

21 

415 

8568 

1876 

22,665 

1074 

185 

22 

3152 

7496 

30 

602 

10,190 

1877 

19,488 

1040 

164 

8450 

614 

9243 

1878 

16,652 

981 



7514 

678 

9627 

1879 

16,681 

948 

145 

8 

1150 

()999 

34 

686 

8382 

1880 

19,250 

108K 

156 

8439 

33 

795 

10,253 

1881 

18,526 



10,959 

36 

10,248 

1882 

21,715 

935 

180 

20 

2660 

13,822 

55 

840 

11,088 

1883 

23,846 

955 

173 

36 

5550 

16,225 

70 

802 

10,517 

1884 

25,604 

964 

185 

.. 



19,705 

.. 

912 

9892 

1885 

23,890 

1019 

.-. 

-  - 

17,028 

67 

889 

10,852 

1886 

31,361 



182 

15 

1425 

19,044 

59 

10,798 

1887 

26,951 



172 

35 

4915 

18,133 

61 

--- 

12,158 

2  * 
p 

125 

p 
!zi 





"23 

;;^ 

57 

78 

80 

88 



80 

359 

82 

530 

87 

551 

86 

773 

96 

772 

895 

09 

850 

22 

979 

122 

979 

106 

. 

104 

939 

99 

931 

946 

108 

946 

107 

The  amounts  coutributed  appeiir  iii  these  columns  less  than  those  found  in  the 
General  Tabular  Summary.  The  explanation  of  this  disciepancv  is  that  this  table 
is  made  from  the  reports  of  the  treasurer  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  moneys 
passing  through  his  hands,  whereas  in  the  General  Summary  the  figures  are  those 
derived  from  the  statistical  tables  sent  up  by  the  Presbyteries,  which  embody  all 
funds  raised  in  the  Presbyteries  to  be  expended  at  home,  and  which  therefore  did 
not  enter  int<j  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  Executive  Committee.  Be- 
sides, it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  not  all  the  Presbyteries  have  co-operated  with 
the  committee. 

At  the  time  the  management  of  the  Relief  Scheme  was  transferred  to  the  "Clergy 
Prieudlj'  Society,"  the  invested  funds  belonging  thereto  amounted  to  more  than 
$41.00(1.     In  1886,  these  funds  amounted  to  $42,300. 


538 


Digest  of  the  Acts  of  the  Genekax  Assembly.        [Book  IX. 


STATISTICS    OF    EDUCATION. 


a 

M  W 

s 

» 

'<   H 

D  < 

M 

M  W 

D 

2 

S  fcl 

P  <l 

03  a 

a  . 
15  a 

25  M  • 

s 

gg 

gS 

?'  |2i  H 

<  ti> 

O  P 

Q  ? 

p 

H  p 

«  o 

sSw 

oo 

OK 

H  « 

H  fx' 

H  a: 

g  !^ 

ntCoj 

THE  C 
MMITT 

o  a 

i  ^ 

12^  -t* 

H  -^ 

< 

D  O  O 
O  HO 

Sn 

0  S 

ggg 

14 

a 

p 

s 

H 

H 

Eh 

s 

f« 

<: 

•^ 

% 

CO 

m 

00 

-<: 

1867 

!$1657 

18 

14 

27 

1868 

3110 

43 

23 

24 

.. 

" 

1869 

11,196 

83 

26 

26 

._ 



1870 

17,369 

108 



32 

35 

._ 



1871 

18,872 

121 



35 

46 

1872 

19,661 

130 



50 

62 

1873 

17,414 

115 

-  -_ 

56 

62 

1874 

16,779 

109 

57 

60 

._ 

1875 

15.215 

92 

612 

38 

77 

.. 

1876 

14,345 

95 

700 

25 

74 

.. 

1877 

13,078 

74 

--- 

25 

62 

6 

til58 

1878 

11,000 

79 

756 

39 

51 

6 

2000 

1879 

11,333 

88 

820 

28 

54 

10 

1880 

11,145 

95 

874 

26 

51 

13 

2457 

1881 

10,336 

80 

875 

.. 

50 

23 

2776 

1882 

11,767 

79 

987 

55 

22 

3679 

1883 

13,024 

123 

28 

56 

31 

3467   ' 

1884 

14,317 

137 



34 

48 

31 

3569 

1885 

17,850 

160 



41 

.48 

28 

3354 

1886 

15,278 

145 



22 

52 

22 

3587 

1887 

18,689 

158 

--- 

'" 

59 

27 

The  funds  uoted  in  the  first  cohimn  are  only  such  as  have  been  disbursed  by  the 
Executive  Committee  of  Ediication.  It  does  not  include  moneys  disbursed  directly 
by  the  Presbyteries  and  congi-egations.  For  the  gross  amount,  see  General  Tabu- 
lar Summary. 


General  Statistical  Information. 


539 


PUBLICATION    STATISTICS. 


1 

Excess  of  Assets 

OVER  LlABIUTIEB. 

Assets. 

Endowment. 
Total  Hkckii-ts. 

< 

Excess  of  Assets 
over  Liabilities. 

Assets. 

'■A 

o 
z 

a 

a 

1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 

$37,176 

36,820 

39,050 

39,429 

40,255 

41,706 

43.913 

' '  39^706 

...   42,023 

$35,962 

17,1.34 

$30,322  32,664 
34,243  33,213 
33,489  39,687 
35,208  44.252 
39,141  62,973 
38,669  

39^576  .'." 
39,363 

1878  

1879  $13, 008. $61. 186 

1880  16,836'  

1881  19,743  

1882  26,674  

1883  31,737  

1884  39,903  

1885  47,481  

1886  54,867 

1887  64,100  

$2li837 
14,772 
13.065 
13,198 
13,556 
23,929 
29,894 
32,617 
34,986 

After  the  year  1878,  in  view  of  the  debt  under  which  this  department  labored, 
we  give  the  excess  of  assets  over  liabilities,  instead  of  making  two  columns,  to  show 
the  solvency  of  the  committee.  The  decline  in  receipts  for  several  years  after  1877 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  business  durint^  that  period  was  done  by  contract,  and 
not  directlv  bv  the  committee. 


SABBATH  SCHOOL  STATISTICS. 


i 

2 

Z  ^ 

3 

o 

NTRI- 
THE 

o 

0  ^  ./ 

0 

0  (H   ■ 

X 

X 

o  s  =^ 

s 

ya2 

^ 

S§§ 

x 

»  a  0 
^  a  o 

X 

a  Q  s 

Z  H  S 

b 

Z  H  K 

i. 

(i 

a  3  c 

O 

^ 

o 

0  a  33 

0  a  x 

H 

o 

S 

H 

0 

S 

H 

o 

S 

> 

S5 

< 

1877 

"A 

< 

>* 

1  1883 

« 

< 

1871 

562 

$12,741 

911 

$31,417 

$41,583 

1872 

682 

26,678 

1878 

986 

24,555 

'  1884 

iiie 

47,075 

1873 

721 

25,819 

1879 

1044 

29,967 

1885 

1291 

47,070 

1874 

760 

31,022 

1880 

909 

25,643 

1886 

1112 

42,905 

1875 

871 

1   30,058 

1881 

1132 

37,055 

1887 

1241 

64,535 

1876 

715 

i  28,525 

1882 

1135 

42,091 

For  other  figures  bearing  on  Sabbath-schools,  see  General  Tabular  Summarj-. 


INDEX. 


7'/i(  Jigures  rtfiv  to  the  number  uf  piuje. 


Absentees  from   the   ordinances   of   the 
Church,  20. 
from  Synod,  must  be  noted  in  the  re- 
cord, ()5. 
Address    to    Churches    throughout    the 
Earth,  3(>9. 
to    the    churches    on    higher    educa- 
tion, 212. 
Admonition,    when  the  force  of,  termi- 
nates, ii'H). 
Africa,  125. 
Agencies  of  the  Churcli,  relation  of  dia- 

conate  to,  42. 
AlUauce,  General  Presbyterian,  .oO(>. 
constitution  of,  .'iOS. 
delegates  to,  how  accredited,  .50i». 
delegates  to,  how  chosen,  .olO. 
Dabuey  resolutions  as  to,  ")()!♦. 
standing      connuittee     to    correspond  I 

with.  r.lO. 
expenses  of.  "ilo. 
Amending  constitution  us  to    power   of 
the  Assembly  to  effect   union,  corres-  i 
pcmdence,  etc.,  501. 
Amendments  to  constitution  UTegularly 

adopted,  4."). 
Amusements,  fashionable,  8Gl-y(>3. 
Appeal,  right  to,  cannot  be  abridged,  .">27. 
Appeal  of  Stuart  Kobinson  and  othei-s, 
515. 
of  E.  T.  Baird,  51(;. 
of  J.  E.  White,  517. 
of  ]>.  C.  Robinson,  525. 
Appeals  of  W.  S.  Turner,  520-522. 
Api)ortioiimcuts  for  coUoctions,  808. 
Army,  provision  for  clinplains  in,   128. 
prayer  for,  and  for  youth  in,  i;50,  20!t. 
religioiis  literature  for,  2(18. 
memorial  on  Sabbath  observance  in, 
:{40. 
Assessments  iox  c(.)ntingeiit  fund,  80-81. 
As.so<'iate  Reformed  Synod,  steps  toward 
union  with,  40(). 
union  with  two  Presbyteries  of,   408, 
409. 
Atlanta  convention.  (>7. 

pi-ovision  by,   for  conduct  o{  Foreign 
Missions,  95. 
Auditing  repi>rts  of  executive  ct>niinittees, 
8:i 


Auditing — 

reports  of  treasiuers  of  the  executive 
committees,  88. 

committee,  to  be  one  of  the  standing 
committees,  83. 

rejiorts  of  treasurer  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions, 181. 
Baltimore,  aid  for  Sustentation  from,  134. 
Baltimore    Conference,    proceedings   of, 

4(>7. 
Baptism  as  a  burial,  345. 

Romish,  34(1-848. 

may  Presbj'terians  immerse.  848. 

by  Campbellites  and  Unitarians,  348. 

of  children  of  non-professors,  349. 

of  children  of  suspended  members,  349. 

of  unconscious  adults,  350. 

in  extremis,  850. 

infant,  neglect  of,  350. 

when  valid,  851. 
Begging  discouraged,  143. 
Benediction,  355. 
Beneliciary  education  of  candidates,  181. 

objections  to,  185.  188. 

formerly    conducted    by   the   Presby- 
teries, 189. 

this  jilau  relinquished,  190. 

report  on,  199. 

objections  to  the  scheme,  199,  202-204. 

declines  to  abandon  the  scheme.  198. 

by  agency  of  the  Presbyteries,  200. 
Benefit  fund,  178. 
Bequests,  trustees  to  pay  over,  331. 

form  for,  831. 
licthel,  seaman's,  at  New  Orleans,  148. 
Bibles  and  tracts.  Kennedy  bequest  for. 

291. 
Bible,  inspirati(m  of.  in  seminaries,  245. 
Bible  revision,  337. 

Bible  Society.  British  and  Foreign.  270, 
887. 

Confederate  States  National,  88(). 

American,  .■58(>. 

declines  to  add  to  list  of  benevolent 
causes,  888. 
Blanks  for  statistical  reports.  814. 
lioard  of  Aid  for  Southern  l'a.stors,  133. 
Boards  discarded  for  committees,  379. 
'  liond  of  treasurer  for  Domestic  Missions, 
'      131. 


542 


Index. 


Bonds  issued  by  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, 280. 
Book  of  Chnrch  Order,  prepared,  voted 
on  and  adopted,  7-17. 
a  mode  of  amending,  refused,  3. 
indexing,  17. 
Book  of  Discipline,  liow  amended,  '2. 

revision  of,  7-17. 
Boundaries  of  Synods  changed,  (Jl-li;!. 
Brazil,  mission  to,  12'i. 

Synod  of,  123. 
Brookes,  Rev.  Dr.,  and  others,  memorial 

of,  to  Northern  Assembly,  470. 
Brown,  llev.  Wm  ,  D.  D.,  71 
Bureau  of  information,  143. 
Burial  service,  35'). 
Byington,  Rev.  Cyrus,  IKi. 
By-laws  for  evangelistic  fand,  1 ')4. 
for  colored  evangelistic  fund,  1H.">. 
for  invalid  fund,  1 70. 
for  board  of  trustees,  332 
for.Sustentation,  138. 
for  trustees  of  Publication,  2  7  7. 
Campbellite  baptism,  348,  3;"i:;. 

doctrine,  303. 
Campinas  institute,  1 23. 
Candidates,    plan  for   training    colored, 
1()3. 
of  non-co-operating  Presbyteries,  maj' 

not  be  aided,  1'.)3-1J)7. 
Presbyteries  shall  require  reports  from, 

194. 
care  in  receiving,  190. 
maximum  appropriations  for,  19(J. 
at  what  period  should  aid  be  given, 

199,  203. 
belong  to  the  whole  church,  201. 
loans  to,  193,  203. 

pledges  to,  must  be  absolute,  20;},  204. 
those  who  have  dropped  out  must  re- 
turn moneys  received,  20U. 
should  get  credentials  from  their  ses- 
sions, 206. 
when  applications  for  aid  for,  should 

be  sent  in,  208. 
color  of,  to  be  reported,  20M. 
aid  for,  183. 

form  of  application  for  aid  for,  2(is. 
as  coli^orteurs,  289. 
Card-playing,  3(>1,  302. 
Catechisms,  how  amended,  2,  3. 
Censure,  ecclesiastical,  in  case  of  disobe- 
dience to  the  civil  magistrate,  52(5. 
Centennial  of  first  (ieneral  .Assembly  in 

America,  8^. 
Certificate  of  recreption,  in  case  of  dis- 
missed members,  23, 
("haplains  and  the  army,  12S. 
Charleston   Union  Presbytery,  secession 

of,  49. 
C!harter  for  Committee  of  Publication, 
27(;. 
for  the  Assembly,  317-324. 
trustees  organize  under,  32r>. 
amended,  329. 


Cherokee  mission  suspended,  118. 
Children  included  with  parents  in  letters 
of  dismissal,  21. 
attendance  of,  on  public  worship,  294, 
356. 
Children's  day,  11 4-. 
Children's  Friend,  29-1. 
China  mission,  1  l.s. 
Choctaw  Bible,  110. 
Church,  meaning  of,  20. 

its  non-political  character,  383-385. 
spirituality  of,  384. 
Church  editices.  b\-law  in  reference  to, 
1 38 
loans  for  completing,  143, 
Church  extension,  128. 
Church  property,  fis  affecting  fraternal 

relations,  4  77. 
Churches,  Presbytery  has  discretion  jis  to 
mode  of  organizing,  5(;. 
presbyterial  visitation  of,  l."2. 
foreign,  best  method  of  training,  54. 
not  in  our  connection,  when  our  minis- 
ters may  supply,  27. 
the  grouping  of,  145. 
Citation  by  the  session,  45. 
Clergy  Friendly  Society,  177. 
Clerks  of  Assembly  have  privileges  of  the 
floor.  09. 
term  of  service  of,  70,  93. 
expenses  of,  70. 
list  of,  529. 

to  correspond  with  Presbyterian  Alli- 
ance, 510. 
stated,    to  publish  list  of  reports  re- 
quired, 70. 
Collections,  should  be  weekly,  302. 
for  benevolence.  Presbytery  must  re- 
quire, 302. 
dates  for,  302, 
not  to  conflict,  311, 

to  be  made  in  vacant  churches  by  sup- 
plies, 303. 
causes  of  smallness  and  methods  of  in- 
creasing, 303. 
Colombia,  U.  S.  of,  mission  to,   121. 
Colored  churches,   plan  of   separate  or- 
ganization for,  1(>0-1(!2 
Colored  evangelistic  fund,  103. 
by-laws  for,   1()5. 
collection  for,  100. 
Colored  exhorters  to  be  licensed,  158,  159, 

161. 
Colored  ministers,  101. 
Colored  people,  under  care  of  domestic 
missions,  155. 
religious  instruction  of,  pastoral  letter 

on,  155. 
a  plan  for  religious  instruction  of,  1 50. 
separate  churches  for,  157-159. 
branch  congregations  for,  158,  159. 
Sabbath-schools  for,  158,  300. 
co-operati(m  with  Northern  board  as  to 

work  among,  159. 
aid  for,  from  Sustentation  fund,  1(14. 


Index. 


543 


Colored  people — 
Presbyteries  to  report  all  work  among, 

1G5. 
missionaries  among,  16G. 
progress  of  work  among,  166. 
evangelists  for,  242. 
literature  for,  291. 
Colportage  undertaken,  287. 

remitted  to  the  Presbyteries,  288. 
again  undertaken,  28!). 
candidates  employed  in,  289. 
Columbia  Seminary  transfeiTed  to    the 
Assembly,  215. 
constitution  of,  adopted  and  changed, 

217. 
endowment  of ,  218. 
condition  of,  and  relief  for,  217,   218, 

22.0. 
removal  of,  219. 
election  and  inauguration  of  professors 

in,  217,  220. 
resignation  of  prof  essors,  222,  227,  233. 
attendance  upon  chapel  services,  222. 
protest  to  action  on  chapel  attendance, 

223. 
financial  agent  for,  226. 
complaint  against  a  professor,  226. 
financial  losses,  226. 
retirement  of  Dr.  Plumer,  228. 
seminary  closed,  227. 
Dr.  Girardeau  withdraws  resignation, 

231. 
Assembly  sunenders  control  of,  229. 
condition  of,  230  -233. 
faculty  of,  234. 
origin  of,  233. 
Commission  of  Presbyiery,  who  may  sit 
in,  57. 
number  required  to  constitute,  .'>7. 
quorum  of,  57. 
Commission  of  elders  to  supervise  col- 
ored congregations,  158. 
Commissioners  to  the  army,  128. 
Commiooioners  for  Susteutation,  132. 
Commissioner  to  higher  courts  may  be 
required  to  report  on  other  matters 
than  their  diligence,  93. 
Commissioners'  fiind,  81,  82. 
Committees,  presbyterial,  what  eldei-s  may 

be  appointed  on,  55. 
Complain,  right  to,  cannot  be  abridged, 

527. 
Complaint  of  Jas.  Sinclair,  512. 
of  A.  W.  Miller  and  others,  512. 
of  Sam'l  Galloway,  512. 
of  J.  J.  Cooke,  513. 
of  S.  J.  Baird,  514. 
of  I.  W.  Cantield,  515. 
of  R.  K.  Smoot  and  others,  516. 
of  R.  S.  McAllister  and  M.  H.    Shaw, 

517. 
of  J.  H.  Moore,  517. 
of  J    E    White,  518. 
of  I    AV.  and  W.  Q.  Cantield,  518. 
of  E.  E.  Baker,  51 9. 


Complaint — 

of  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis,  523. 
of  C.  A.  Baker,  524. 
of  F.  P.  Eamsay,  525. 
of  James  Woodrow,  525. 
Complaint  may  be  against  other  than  a 

judicial  decision,  524. 
Confederate  constitution,  a  clause  in,  ap- 
proved, 381. 
Confession  of  Faith,  how  amended,  2,  3. 
amended,  4-7. 

declines  to  transfer  a  paragraph   to, 
from  Form  of  Government,  3. 
Congregational  meetings,  47. 

for  what  purposes  may  be  held,  23. 
who  may  preside  at,  23. 
Constitution  adopted,  1. 
how  amended,  2,  3 
informalitv  in  manner  of   amending, 

19. 
amendments  to,  irregularly  adopted,  45 . 
Constitution  of  Execiitive  Committee  of 

Domestic  Missions,  127. 
Contingent  fund  for  Assembly,  80,  81. 
Contribution   to  special  objects  in  Mis- 
sions, 99 
Convention  at  Huntsville  on  Education, 

211 
Co-operation  in  the  foreign  tield,  100. 
Co-operative  Alliance  with  the  Reformed 

Church,  296,  443. 
Co-operative  work,  conference  on,  502-"6. 
Co-ordinate  secretary  for  Home  Missions, 

146. 
Correspondence   solicited    with    various 

churches,  433. 
Correspondence    with    M.    E.     Churcli, 
South,  434. 
with  M.  E.  Church,  North,  435. 
with  U.  P.  Church  of  Scotland,  435. 
'      with  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  436. 
with  Reformed   Episcopal   Church  in 

the  United  States,  436. 
with  the  bishops  of  the  P.  E.  Church, 

438. 
with  Cumberland  Presbvterian  Church, 

438. 
with  colored    Cumberland   Assemblv. 
I  44.'. 

j      with  Reformed  Church,  444. 
I      with   Northern  Presbyterian   Church, 
with  reference  to  union,  449. 
pastoral  letter  on  this  subject,  454. 
deputation  to  churches  in  Great  Britain 
and  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  43.3. 
I      with  South  Carolina  S.  S.  Convention, 
I  437. 

with  Y.  M.  C.  A  .  437. 
mode  of,  499. 
Counsel  for  the  accused,  528. 
Courtesies,  custom  of  Assembly  as  to  ac- 
cepting, 7(>. 
'  Courts  not  parties  in  judicial  cases,  528. 
not  compelled  to  bring  trial,  because 
charges  are  brought,  521, 


544 


Index. 


Creed,  the  Apostles',  amendiug,  7. 
Uaiiciug,  89,  3«1,  ;-5«2,  .•?h4. 
Dancing  schools,  'S(i2. 
Danville  Seminary,  r>04-50G. 
Day  of  prayer  for  youth,  208,  209. 
Deacons,  demission  of,  37. 

'their  relation  to  the  session,  42. 
Deceased  wifes  sister,  4-7. 
Delegates  sent  by  the  Assembly  to  other 
bodies,  list  of,  53 1 . 
sent  to  the  Assemblj'f  rom  other  bodies, 
list  of,  .533. 
Deliverances,  courts  have  power  to  make, 
defining  what  is  an  offense,  89. 
en  t/icsi,   their    nature  and  authority, 

89,  91,  92. 
force  of  logical  inferences  from,  92. 
Demission  of  elders  and  deacons,  37. 
Deposed  ministers,  mode  of  restoring,  29, 

.-)20. 
Depositories  for  Publication  Committee, 
271. 
branch,  272 
Diaconate  in  its  relation  to  the  agencies 

of  the  Church.  -42. 
Directory  of  Worship,  how  amended,  2. 

revision  of,  17-19. 
Directory  for  the  Oblation,  312. 
Disabled  ministers'  fund.  Km,  1{J9,  170. 
Discipline,  its  two-fold  meaning,  90. 
necessity   of,     iu    certain    cases,    3(i2, 

3«3. 
comity  in  matters  of,  between  North- 
ern  and   Southern    Churches,    504, 
50.-.. 
Discipline  of  retail  liquor  dealers,  3(J6. 
Dismission  of  ministers  to  other  denomi- 
nations, 24. 
of  members,  to  churches  not  connected 

with  the  Assembly,  21,  520. 
of  non-communing  members,  21. 
of  members,  notification  to  church  to 

which  they  are  dismissed,  22. 
letter  of,  when  retiirned,  reinstates  in 
membership,  22. 
Dissolution  of  pastoral  relation,  27. 
Doctrines  of  the  Church  to  be  taught  in 

Sunday-schools,  293. 
Domestic    Missions,    Southwestern    Ad- 
visory Committee  of,  12fi. 
constitution  of    Executive    Committee 

of,  127. 
change  of  location  for  Committee  of, 

127. 
temporarv  Executive  Committee   for, 

127. 
Executive  (Joinmittee  of,   consolidated 
with  that  for  Foreign  Mis.sions,  128. 
auditing  reports  of  treasurer  of,  131. 
salary  of  treasurer,  131. 
has  oversight  of  work  among  colored 

people.  155 
non-co-operative  Presbyteries,  131. 
Drew,  lie  v.  Thomas,  24. 
Earnest  Worker,  295. 


j  Education,  beneficiary,  181. 

I      objections    to    Assembly    cond\icting, 

188. 
Education,  Executive  Committee  of,  con- 
stituted, 179. 
new  constitiition  for,  191. 
united  with  that  of  Publication,  181. 
duties  and  powers  of,  180,  191,  192. 
a  provisional  committee  for,  180. 
early  embarrassments  of  the  work,  192, 

193. 
secretary  of,  to  visit  Synods  and  Pres- 
byteries, 20(>. 
travelling  agent  for  the  committee,  193. 
money  for,  how  remitted,  194. 
location      of     Executive      Committee 

changed,  195. 
declines  to  enlarge  the  powers  of  the 

Executive  Committee,  196. 
receipts  and  disbursements  to  be  jirint- 

ed,  215. 
an  aiiportionment  for,  207. 
ecclesiastical  year  for,  207. 
Presbyterial  reports  on,  2(i(). 
duties  of  Presbyterial  chairmen,  207, 

208. 
Education,   ministerial,  address  on,  20G. 

standard  of,  245. 
Education,    theological,    change   in   the 

mode  and  standard  of,  245-20 1. 
Education,  secular,  210. 

convention  at  Huntsville  on,  211. 
Elders,    membership    of,    in   Presbytery 

continues  until  next  stated  meeting, 

35. 
representing  associated  churches,  35. 
to   conduct    services    m    neighboring 

congregations,  35. 
Presbj'terial  courtesies  to,  3(j 
such  as  have  moved  from  their  bounds, 

36. 
returning  letters  of  dismissal  resume 

their  functions,  36, 
demission  of,  37. 
function  of  single,  38. 
examination  of,  on  the  standards,  38. 
in  Presbytery,  are  representatives,  57. 
Presbytery  may  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion over,  5H. 
ui  Presbytery  and  Synod,  record  should 

show  what  church  each  represents, 

Elder  Moderator,  39. 

Electioneering  pami^hlets,  76. 

Eleemosynary  projects,  evils  incidental  to 
all,  200. 

Established  (^hurch,  constitutional  provi- 
sion against,  approved,  3Sl. 

Evangelical  Alliance,  437. 

Evangelism  in  the  Seminaries,  154. 

Evangelist,  powers  of,  and  his  relation  to 
the  courts,  ■■>2. 
duties  and  powers  of,  149,  151,  155. 
ecclesiastical  character  and  powers  of 
foreign,  104-108. 


Index. 


545 


Evangelist — 

relation  of  foreign  to   ex  committee, 
the  various  courts,   and  his  fellow 
evangelists,  105. 
should  he  join  the  native  Presbytery, 

r.O,  54. 
relation  of,   to  his  Presbytery  and  to 

the  centnd  committee,  152. 
salary  of,  how  paid,  151,  15],  155. 
synodical,  1 53. 
Evangelists,  the  labors  of,  must  be  re- 
ported to  Assembly,  150. 
this  rule  repealed,  153. 
grouping  churches  under,  150. 
the  churches  served   must  help  sup- 
port, 150. 
for  colored  people,  242. 
lay,  30. 
Evangelistic  labor,   standing   committee 
on,  150 
this  committee  discontinued,  153. 
Evangelistic  work  separated  from  that  of 
sustentation,  151. 
a  stated  collection  ordered  for,  151. 
plan  of  prosbyterial  visitation,  152. 
licentiates  in,  32. 
in  Texas,  153. 
Evangehstic  fund,  column  for,  in  pres- 
byterial  blanks,  153. 
by-laws  for,  154. 

collections  for,  wheu  to  be  made,  154. 
appropriations,  when  made,  154. 
no  aid  to  be  given  from,  to  non-co-op- 
erative churches,  152. 
Evolution,  deliverance  on,  3<;<l. 
declines  to  modify  this,  SfiS. 
in  theological  seminaries,  205. 
Examination  of  elders  on  the  standards, 

before  ordination,  38. 
Examination  rule,  refuses  to  make  op- 
tional, 25. 
adopted  into  the  constitution,  25. 
Executive  committees  to  be  all  constitu- 
ted alike,  301. 
how  chosen,  301. 
location  of,  307. 
consolidation  of,  308. 
monthly  journal  for,  274. 
publishing  reports  of,  30(>,  307,  301>. 
reports  of  the  treasiirers  of,  307,  31 1. 
how  the.se  reports  shall  be  audited,  83, 

84. 
secretaries  of,  are  e.r.  officio  trustees  of 

the  Assembly,  32(5. 
have  privileges  of  the  floor  in  Assem- 
bly, (Jit. 
relations  ^^•ith  the  board  of  trustees, 

327. 
list  of  secretaries  and  treasurei-s  of,  530. 
Exhorters,   colored,   to  be  licensed,    34, 
158,  !.">;»,  101. 
lay,  31. 
Family  training,  pa.storal  letter  on,  356. 
Family  worship,  35(). 
Fasting  and  prayer,  day  of,  355,  381. 


Florida  as  a  mission  field,  148. 
Florida  land  company,  214. 
Foreign   Missions,    constitution   for   the 
executive  committee  of,  94. 

location  of,  94. 

treasurer's  bond,  104. 

duties  of  secretary,  94. 

salary  of,  104. 

work  of  provisional  committee  of,  95. 

executive  committee  of,  organized,  97. 

duties  of  the  committee,  100. 

refuses  to  consolidate  with  Northern 
board,  109. 

secretary  and  treasurer  of,  vindicated, 
109. 

corresponding  members  of  the   exec- 
utive committee,  114. 

pastors  to  preach  on,  98. 

separated  from  department  of  Home 
Missions,  145. 

an  evening  for,  in  the  Assembly,  99. 

amounts  asked  for,  126. 
Form  of  Government,  how  amended,  2. 

transfer  of  a  paragraph  from,  to  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  refused,  3. 

revision  of,  7-17. 
Fraternal  relations  with  Northern  church, 
committee  of  conference  appointed 
on,  458. 

protest  against  this,  464. 

failure  of  the  conference,  466. 

correspondence  between  the  commit- 
tees, sitting  in  Baltimore,  467. 

further  negotiations,  489. 

salutations  exchanged,  492. 

estabhshed,  492. 

interchange  of  delegates,  495. 

refuses  to  re-open  the  question,  496. 
Free-will  offerings,  109,  311. 
Gambling,  366. 
General  Assembly,  organized,  67. 

membei-s  without  commissions,  69. 

term  for  which  commissioners  to  are 
chosen,  69. 

declines  to  make  that  term  two  years, 
69. 

commissioners  leaving  before  adjourn- 
ment, 69. 

"secretaries  and  clerks  have  privileges 
of  the  floor,  69. 

expenses  of  clerks  and  their  term  of 
service,  70 

stated  clerk  to  publish   what    reports 
are  required,  70. 

treasurer  of,  70. 

his  accounts  to  be  published,  71. 

reporter  for,  71. 

time  of  meetings,  72. 

biennial  meetings,  72. 

place  of  meetings,  72. 

rules  for,  adopted  and  revised,  72. 

prayer  for,  77. 

permanent  standing  committees  of,  77. 

minutes  of,  79. 

quarto-centennial  of,  84. 


546 


Index. 


General  Assembly — 

centennial  anniversary,  85. 

without  power  to  organize  or  dissolve  | 
a  presbytery,  83,  50. 

relation  of,  to  churches  on  mission  ter- ' 
ritory,  51. 

what  control  over  the  foreign  evangel- 
ist, 5'6. 
Graybill,  Kev.  A.  T. ,  founds  the  Mexican 

mission,  124. 
Greece,  mission  to,  124. 
Grinnan,  Rev.  R.  B!,  founds  the  Japan 

mission,  125. 
Grouping  churches,  145. 
Hamner,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G. ,  agent  for  Edu- 
cation, 193. 
Hangchow  Presbyterj",  50. 
Historical  Society,  Presbyterian,  338. 

Southern  Presbyterian,  339. 
History,  collecting  materials  for,  87,  339. 
Home  Missions,  execiitive  committee  of 
created,  148. 

made   separate   from  that  of  Foreign 
Missions,  145. 

change  of  location  for,  146. 

secretary  of,   to  visit  throughout  the 
church,  148. 

receipts,  how  published,  149. 

amount  of  money  asked  for,  149. 

vote  of  thanks  to  the  old  committee, 
145. 
Howe,  Rev.  Dr.,  266. 
Hymn  Book,  357. 

revision  of,  360. 

Rouse's  version  of  the  Psalms,  359. 
Hymu  Book  for  Sunday-schools,  298. 
Hymn  and  Tune  Book,  359. 
Hymns  and  Tunes,  Robinson's,  360. 
Immersion,  345,  348. 
Independent  Presbyterian  Church,  union 

with,  410. 
Index  for  Book  of  Church  Order,  1 7. 
Indians,  missions  among,  95,  114. 

schools  among,  115. 

transfer  of,  to  Home  Missions,  118. 

literature  for,  291. 
Inquiry,    committee   of,    as    to    organic 

union,  etc. ,  with  Northern  Church,  49(;. 
Inslee,    Rev.    E.    B. ,   founds    the    China 
mission,  1 1 8. 

provision  for  the  family  of,  119. 
Inspiration  of  Scriptures  in  the  Semina- 
ries, 245. 
Intemperance,  365. 
International  Lessons,  29(i. 
Invalid  scheme,  1 70. 

by-laws  for,  179. 
Investing  committees   for  Relief  fund, 

176. 
Irvine,  Rev.  Robert,  24. 
Italian  mission,  120 
Jackson,  General  T.  J.,  397. 

on  Sabbath  mails,  341. 
Japan,  mission  to,  124. 
Jews,  missions  among,  125. 


Judicial  cases,  who  entitled  to  sit  in,  528. 

courts  not  parties  in,  528. 

and  so  not  entitled  to  be  represented 
on  appeal,  528 
Jiidicial  committee    may  not  pass  final 

judgment  on  a  case.  525. 
Kalopothakes,  Rev.  M.  D.,  124. 
Keith,  Rev.  W.  J.,  colportage  books  of, 

269. 
Kennedy  bequest  for  Bibles  and  tracts. 

291. 
Kentucky,  aid  for  Sustentation  from,  134. 

legacy  for  evangelistic  work  in,  154. 
Kentucky,  Synod  of,  unites  with  the  As- 
sembly, 4 1 2. 

letter  to  the  Assembly  of  1867,  414. 

statement  of  her  doctrines  and  princi- 
ples, 417. 

historj'^  of  the  schism  in,  427. 
Kingsbury,  Rev.  Dr.  Cyrus,  117 
Lane,  Rev.  C.  W. ,  plan  of,  for  a  disabled 

ministers'  fund,  167. 
Lane  Rev.  E.,  foiinds  the  Brazilian  mis- 
sion, 122. 
Latin  thesis,  33. 
Lay  preachers  and  evangelists,   30,   31, 

516. 
Legacies  for  Home  Missions,  149. 

method  of  distributing,  334. 

expense  of  collecting  certain,  how  de- 
frayed, 333,  334.  ■ 
Legacy  of  Wm.  Workman,  154. 

of  Stuart  Robinson,  178. 

of  Robert  Lusk,  197. 

of  N.  T.  Leonard,  334. 
Letter,  dismissing  members  to  other  de- 
nominations, 21,  520. 

for  a  member,  must  include  his  chil- 
dren also,  21. 
Letter  of  dismission,  return  of,  reinstates 

a  party  in  membershij),  22. 
License,  partial.  34. 
Licensing  colored  exhorters,  34. 
Licensure,  lowering  the  standard  for,  33. 

(lualification  for,  255. 

in  extraordinary  cases,  30. 
Licentiate  may  not  be  an  evangelist,  1 54. 
Licentiates  in  evangelistic  work,  32. 

may  declare  a  church  vacant,  34. 

Presbytery  may  recall  license  of,  5 1 2. 
Linn,  Rev.  S.  P.,  case  of,  520. 
Liquor  traffic,  sixppression  of,  365. 

retailers  of,  366. 
Literature  for  the  army,  268. 

for  the  colored  jjeople,  29 1 . 

for  the  Indians,  291. 
Liturgy  for  public  worship,  354 
Loans  for  completing  chi;rch  edifices,  1 43. 

to  candidates,  193,  203. 
Louisville  conference,  504. 
Lusk,  Mr.  Robert,  legacy  of,  197. 
Males  only  eligible  to  office,  31. 
Manses,  143. 

Manual  for  Foreign  Missions,  100. 
Maryville  College,  213. 


Index. 


547 


McAlpine,  a  founder  of  the  Japan  mis- 
sion, 12;j. 
McCormick,  Hon.  C.  H.,  235,  26«. 
Mcllwaine,  Eev.  R.,  D.  D.,  113,  147. 
Members  of  the  church,  when  in  good 
standing,  20. 
how  received   from   other   denomina- 
tions, 20. 
dismissing  to  churches  not  connected 

with  the  Assembly,  26,  520. 
non-communing,  dismission  of,  21. 
non-communing,  a  roll  of,  to  be  kept, 

22. 
losses  of,  not  to  be  reported,  22.  \ 

non -contributing,  22. 
Presbytery  may  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion over,  .">6 
Membership,   courts  cannot  make   new 
rules  of,  23,  89. 
suspension  from,  without  trial,  52(J. 
Memorial  services,  84,  85. 
Memorial  fund,  87,  88. 
Memorial  of  Eev.  G.  Nash  Morton,  110. 
Mexican  mission,  124. 
Miller,  Ilev.  John,  on  beneticiary  educa- 
tion, 187. 
Ministers,  reception  of,  without  letters  of 
dismission,  23. 
dismission  of,  to  other  denominations, 

24. 
subscribing,  when  received  into  a  Pres- 
bytery, 26. 
when  they  may  supply  churches  out  of 

our  connection,  27,  28. 
may  not  become  such  supjjly  perma- 
nently, 28 
without  charge,  28. 
mode  of  restoring  the  deposed,  29. 
ordination  of  an  additional  class  of,  30. 
out  of  doctrinal  accord  with  the  Church, 

31. 
who  doubt  their  having  a  call,  31. 
alarming  need  of  more,  206,  263. 
colored,  161. 
Ministerial  education,  245. 
Minutes  of  the  Assemblj',  committee  to 
verify,  79. 
to  be  published  by  the  <  Committee  of 

Publication,  79. 
price  of,  79. 
ilissioD,   the,   how  composed  and    what 

its  duties.  101. 
Mission  press  for  China,  119. 
^lissionaries,  duty  of,  101. 
how  appointed,  102. 
rules  pertaining  to  the  support  of,  103. 
how  transfeiTed  to  a  foreign  Presby- 
tery, 109. 
entitled  to  copy  of  the  executive  com- 
mittees' record  affecting  themselves, 
in  certain  cases,  1 1 2. 
among  the  colored  people,  ItU;. 
women  as,  98. 
Misxioiiuri/,  The,  97. 
Missionary  meetings  in  Presbytery,  !>9. 


Missionary  societies,  women's,  98. 
Missions,   monthly  meetings  in  interest 

of,  306. 
Missouri,  Synod  of,  unites  with  the  As- 
sembly, 429. 

history  of  the  division  in,  481. 

cause  of  separation  from  Northern  As- 
sembly, 4  79. 
Moderator,  an  elder  may  be,  39. 

of  session,  who  may  be,  46. 

of  a  congregational  meeting,  23. 
Moderators  of  the  Assembl}^  529. 

of  the  United  SjTiod,  406. 
Monthly  concert  for  Foreign  Missions,  97. 

collection  at,  97. 
Morton,  Eev.   G.  Nash,  founds  the  Bra- 
zilian mission,  122. 

memorial  of,  110. 
Narratives,  topics  for,  58. 

must  be  signed  by  the  clerk,  58. 
Oblation,  directory  for  the,  355. 
Offense,   courts  may  make  deliverances 

defining  what  constitutes,  89. 
Offenses  are  all  to  be  dealt  with  by  judi- 
cial process,  90. 
Ordination  of  an  additional  class  of  min- 
isters, 30. 

in  extraordinary  cases,  30. 

by  a  foreign  evangelist,  104.  108. 

qi;alifications  for,  255  ff. 

cannot  be  partial,  523. 

sine  titulo,  29. 
Organic  union   with  Northern   Church, 
correspondence   with   reference   to, 
449. 

pastoral  letter  on,  454. 

amending  powers  of  the  Assembly  to 
effect,  >j01. 

resolves  to   maintain   its  independent 
stand,  502. 

decUnes  to  consider,  502,  505 

committee  of  inquirj'  as  to,  496. 
Original  jurisdiction,  when  Presbyteries 

may  have  over  elders  and  members, 

56.' 
Overture,  the  right  to  cannot  be  abridged. 

527. 
Overtures,  informality  in  manner  of  send- 
ing down,  19. 

to  be  printed  in  the  minutes,  78. 

should  come  through  lower  courts,  78. 

and  memorials  may  be  refen-ed  with- 
out reading,  77. 
Painter,  G.  W.,  ordination  of,  104. 
Paragraphs  of  the  Book  of  Church  Order 

to  be  numbered  consecutively,  17. 
Parents,  relation  of,  to  Sunday  School, 

294. 
Park,  Eev.  Samuel,  case  of,  523. 

declines  to  reconsider  the  point  therein 
decided,  1()4. 
Pastor,  who  may  vote  for,  26. 

amending  form  of  call  for,  27. 

call  for,  without  promise  of  adequate 
support,  27. 


548 


Index. 


Pastoral  relatiou,  not  to  be  lightly  broken,  I 

27.  i 

dissohition  of,  27. 

Pastoral   letter   on   organic   nnion   with  | 

Northern  Church,  454:,  j 

on  religious  instruction  of  colored  peo-  ! 

pie,  155.  j 

on  parental  training,  356. 
Pastors  sho^^ld  preach  to  the  children,  299. 
Patapsco,  Presbytery  of,  unites  with  the 

Assembly,  398.  | 

Pernambuco,  mission  founded  at,  1 23. 
Perrin,  Hon.  T.  C,  335, 
Philadelphia,  invitation  to  the  Assembly 

to  meet  in,  87. 
Plumer,  Rev.  Dr.,  2(56. 
Prayer  for  the  General  Assembly,  77. 

for  increase  of  candidates  for  the  min- 
istry, 210. 

for  the  army,  130. 

for  the  Confederate  States,  380. 

for  soldiers  and  generals,  381.  ' 
Prayer,  day  of,  for  missions,  98. 

for  youtii,  208,  209. 

fasting  and,  355,  381. 

thanksgiving  and,  356,  381. 
Prayer,  week  of,  210. 
Pratt,  Rev.  H.  B.,  founds  mission  to  U. 

S.  of  Colombia,  121. 
Preliminary  principles,  chapter  on,  in  old 

book,  omitted  in  the  new,  10 
Presbyterial  changes  in  Synod  of  Georgia, 
48. 

chau-men  f(jr  Foreign  Missions,  duties 
of,  114. 

supervision  of  Sunday-schools,  293. 
Presbyterian  Church,  North,   correspon- 
dence with,  with  reference  to  union, 

449. 
Presbyteries,  the  original,  47. 

new,  48. 

that  have  disappeared  from  the  roll,  48. 

of  Potomac  and  Winchester,  4  8. 

mixed,  in  the  foreign  lield,  108. 

relatiou  of,  to  Home  Missions,  135. 

relation  of,  to  the  Committee  of  Edu- 
cation, 192. 

for  colored  people,  163,  164. 

of  the  United  Synod,  405. 

visitation  of  the  churches  by,  152. 
Presbytery,  what  control  over  her  for- 
eign evangelist,  52. 

elders  not  appointed  may  not  sit  in,  55. 

an  elder  necessary  to  a  quorum,  55. 

meeting  out  of  proper  place,  56. 

how  often  shall  meet,  56. 

when  it  has  original  jurisdiction  over 
elders  and  members,  56. 

Assembly  without  power  to  organize, 
83. 
Presbytery  of  Charleston  Union,  49. 

of  Sao  Paulo,  49. 

of  Hangchow,  50. 

of  Tuscumbia,  transfened  to  Synod  of 
Memphis,  60. 


Presbytery — 

of  North  Alabama,  transferred  to  Synod 

of  Alabama,  61. 
of  Tamaulipas,  124. 
formed  in  Greece,  124. 
Private  judgment,  right  of,  92. 
Profanity,  356. 

Protest,  limitation  on  the  right  of,  92. 
Provincial  Assemblies,  501. 
Psalms,  Rouse's  version  of,  359. 
Publication,  the  execiitive  committee  of, 
constituted,  267. 
property  of  Synod  of  Mississippi  ten- 
dered to  Assembly,  for,  267. 
location  of  the  committee,  208. 
quorum  of,  270. 
vacancies  in,  270. 
endowment  for,  271,  273,  280. 
benevolent  work  of,  275. 
management  of  committee  and  secre- 
tary endorsed,  275. 
the  executive  committee  incorjporated, 

276. 
by-laws  for  the  trustees,  under  the  act 

of  incorporation,  277. 
bonds  issued  by  the  committee,  280. 
contracts  of  committee  with  sffcretarv. 

281. 
losses  through  failure  of  the  secretary. 

283. 
report  on  these  losses,  283. 
the  business  to  be  done  by  contract, 

280 
restrictions  on  sales  removed,  289 
regulations  for  the  committee  of,  289. 
[      gratuitous  distributions,  290. 
i      relations  of   the  committee-  with  the 
Philadelphia  board,  290. 
committee   consolidated  mth   that  of 

Education,  290. 
date  for  collections  for,  291. 
committee  to  have  supervision  of  Sun- 
day-school work,  294. 
nde  about  examining  books,  271. 
publishing  annual  receipts,  274. 
of  non-denominational  books,  274. 
ecclesiastical  year  for,  275. 
secretary  of,  to  visit  Synods  and  I'res- 

byteries,  290. 
secretary  made  treasurer,  289. 
his  salary,  270,  291. 
attendance  of  treasurer  at  the  Assem- 
bly, 275. 
itemized  statements  in  treasurer's  re- 
port, 291. 
Publications  of  other  houses,  ourimprim- 

atur  to  be  placed  on,  270. 
Publishing  agent,  271. 
Publishing  house,  278. 
Quarto-Centennial   services   of    the    As- 
sembly, 84 
Quoriim  of  a  session,  44. 

of  a  Presbytery,  elder  necessary  to,  on. 
of  a  commission  of  Presbytery,  57. 
of  a  Synod,  65, 


Index. 


549 


Reception  of  members  from  other  denom- 
iuatious,  20. 
certilieates  of,  23. 
Reception  of  ministers  without  letters,  24. 

from  foreign  countries,  24. 
Red  River  country  as  a  mission  field,  148. 
Reformed  Church  of  America,  co-opera- 
tive alliance  with,  443. 
co-operation    in    publishing'    Sunday- 
school  journals,  21IG. 
Register  of  baptized  children  to  be  kept, 
21. 
also  of  non-communing  members,  22. 
Relief  fund,  scheme  for,  170. 
the  scheme  goes  into  operation,  178. 
regulations  for,  173,  174. 
plan  for,  modified,  174. 
investing  committees  for,  176. 
investment  of,   under  whose  control, 

17(;. 
taken  from  under  church  control,  17G. 
supervision   of   contract    with   Clergy 
Friendly  Societj'  transferred  to  com- 
mittee of  Foreign  Missions,  1 78. 
amount  of  invested  funds,  .537. 
Reporter  for  the  Assembly,  71. 
Representation,  mode  of,  in  higher  courts, 

!»2. 
Representatives  may  not  be   instructed 

how  to  vote,  8<i. 
Restoring  a  deposed   minister,  mode  of, 

2». 
Retrenchment  and  reform,  309. 
Rti'irtr,  Southern  Presbyterian,  3!»(i. 
Revision  of  the  Apostles'  Creed,  7. 
of  the  Form  of  Government,  7-1 7. 
of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  7-17. 
of  the  general  rules   for  judicatories, 

9,   10 
of  the  Directory  of  "Worshij),  1 7. 
Robinson's  Hymns  and  Tunes,  3H0. 
Robinson.  Rev.  Stuart,  D.  D.,  legacy  of, 
for  invalid  fund,  17S. 
memorial  of,  2IH). 
Kouzone,    ^Miss    Christina,    founds    the 

Italian  mission,  120. 
Rouse's  version  of  the  Psalms,  3.")!),  410. 
Rules,  general,  for  judicatories,  revision 
of,  V),  10. 
of  parliamentary  order,  9,  73. 
Sabbath  observance  in  the  army,  memo- 
rial on,  340. 
mails,  341. 

permanent  committee  on,  342. 
presbyterial  committees  on,  344. 
application  to  civil  authorities  as  to  ob- 
servance, 340-344. 
(^o-operation  in  the  movement  as  to,  344. 
disciijline  for  violation  of,  344. 
newspapers  and  railway  trains  on,  344. 
meeting  of  Sj'nod  on  the,  34.5. 
Salary,  average  and  minimum,  paid  our 

ministers,  144. 
Sao  Paulo  Presbytery,  49. 
Sayre  Female  Institute,  213. 


Schism,   charge  of,   against  our  church, 

474. 
Schools,  among  the  Indians,  11.5,  116. 

should  patronize  our  own,  212,  213. 
Seal  for  theA-ssembly's  board  of  trustees, 

333. 
Seamen,  14.S. 

Secretaries  and  clerks  have  privileges  of 
tioor  in  Assembly,  (;9. 

li.st  of,  for  the  various  committees,  .530. 
Seciilar  education,  210. 
Session,  relation  of  to  deacons,  42. 

may  one  elder  constitute  a  valid,  44. 

quorum  of,  44 

narratives  of,  46. 

moderator  of,  46. 

may  not  instruct  its  represeut.itives  how 
to  vote,  46. 

provisional  or  special,  47. 

has  control  of  Sunday-schools,  292. 
Slavery,  364,  375,  391, '395. 

pastoral  letter  on,  15.5. 
Smith,  Rev.  J.  Rockwell,  founds  the  Per- 

nambuco  mission,  123. 
Southern  Aid  Societj'  of  New  York,  134. 
Southwestern  Advisory  Committee  of  Do- 
mestic Missions,  126. 
Spencer  Academy,  116. 
Spirituality  of  the  Church,  384. 
Standing  Committees,  the  permanent,  in 
the  Assembly,  77. 

committee  on  auditing,  added  to,  83. 

on  evangelistic  labor,  loO,  153. 

also  on  correspondence,  499. 

and  on  Sunday-schools,  293. 
State,  province  and  relations  of  church 
and,  371,  381,  389,  396. 

our  duty  to,  382,  383. 
Stated  suijplv.  the  relation  of,  permissi- 
ble, 28.  ' 

official  status  of,  28. 

by  what  title  to  be  reported,  28. 
Statistical    tables,   general   and   special, 

.53.5-539. 
Statistics,  to  be  published,  .314. 

blanks  for.  314. 

what  items  to  be  reported,  22,  315. 

of  the  foreign  field  to  be  given,  100. 
Subscribing  of  ministers,  when  received 

into  Presbytery,  2(!. 
Sunday-school,  what  is  a,  292. 

control  of,  292. 

teachers  and  teachings  of,  293. 

reports  of,  300,  293. 

Presbyterial  supervision  of,  293. 

in  relation  to  the  family,  294. 

adults  in,  .300,  294. 

attendance  of  children  at  public  wor- 
ship, 356,  294. 

Committee   of   Publication   has   over- 
sight of  the  work  in,  294. 

papers  for,  294-296. 

International  Lessons  in,  296. 

contributions  to  benevolent  causes,  297. 

union  schools,  297. 


550 


Index. 


Sunday-school — 

conventions   and    teachers'    meetings, 
298. 

libraries  and  hymn  books  for,  298 

mission  schools,  299 

sensational  methods  and  literature,  299. 

use  of  Bible  in,  299 

in  the  Assembly,  300,  293. 

for  colored  people,  IfiS,  300. 

work  of  Foreign  Missions  in,  99. 

convention    of   South   Carolina   sends 
greetings  to  Assembly,  437. 
Supply  of  churches  out  of  our  connection 

by  our  ministers,  27,  28. 
Suspension  of  a  member  without  trial, 

52(j 
Sixstentation,  a  scheme  for,  132. 

an  Executive  Committee  appointed  for, 
13.5. 

Executive  Committee  of,  relation  to  the 
Presbyteries,  135. 

corresponding  members  of,  137. 

departments  included  imder,  137. 

bj'-laws  for  the  committee,  138-143. 

financial  year  for,  142. 

Committee  of,  changed  to  that  of  Home 
Missions,  148. 

aid  for  colored  people  from  the  com- 
mittee, 1()4. 
Synod,  time  of  a  meeting  changed  by  the 
Assembly,  63. 

meeting  out  of  time  legalized,  63. 

a  meeting  of,  ordered  by  Assembly,  64. 

may  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet  in- 
stanter,  64. 

may  order  a  Presbytery  to  meet  during 
its  sessions,  64. 

ordering  a  Presbytery  to  meet,  must 
specify  the  object,  64. 

quorum  of,  6."). 

note  of  absentees  on  the  records,  (55. 

may  not  amend  the  record  of  a  lower 
court,  65. 

records  of,  should  name  the  churches 
its  elders  represent,  65. 

records  of,  should  not  contain  outside 
matter,  65. 

Assembly  may  demand  that  the  records 
be  sent  tip,  66. 

copy  of  records  sent  up  for  review,  ij^\. 

what  should  be  included  in  the  records, 
66 

should  be  signed  by  the  clerk,  W>. 

who  may  vote  on  the  approval  of,    '6. 

what  control  over  theological  semina- 
ries, 264. 
Synod  of  Georgia,  Presbyterial  changes 

in,  48. 
I  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  organ- 
ized, 59. 

of  Texas,  division  of,  refused,  59. 

of  Brazil,  123. 
Synodicid  boundaries  changed,  (i()-63. 
Synodical  evangelist,  123. 
Synods,  the  original,  59. 


Synods — 

received,  59. 

how  divided,  66.  , 

and  Presbyteries  to  be  arranged  in  the 
Minutes  alphabetically,  77. 

formerly  in  connection  with  the  United 
Synod,  405. 
Systematic  Benevolence,  reports  of  Pres- 
byteries on,  302. 

Standing  Committee  on,  303. 

opportunity  should  be  afforded  all  to 
give,  303. 

Presbyterial  committees  on,  306. 

blanks  for,  306, 

apportionment  for,  308. 

tract  on,  313. 
Texas,  Home  Missions  in,  148. 

evangelistic  work  in,  153. 
Thanksgiving,  day  of  prayer  and,   356, 

381. 
Theatrical  performances,  381. 
Theological    education,    change    in   the 

mode  and  standard  of,  245-261. 
Theological  seminary  for  the  Southwest, 

245. 
Theological    seminaries,     origin    of,     in 
America,  247. 

English  Bible  in,  253,  262. 

terms  of  six  months,  258. 

missionary  interest  in,  99. 

health  in,  264. 

patronizing  our  own,  264 

control  of  the  Assembly  over,  264. 

evolution  in,  265. 
Tithe,  309. 
Title  of  the  Church  adopted  and  changed, 

I. 
Travelling  agent  for  Education,  193. 
Treasurer,  a  single,  for  all  the  funds  of 

the  Assembly.  301. 
Treasurers  of  executive  committees,  list 

of,  530. 
Tract  Society,  Keligious,  of  London,  270. 
Trustees  of  the  Assembly  organize  the 
charter,  325. 

secretaries  of  executive  committees  ex 
officio  members  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, 326. 

number  of  reduced,  326. 

divided  into  three  classes,  333. 

relations  of  the  board  of,  with  the  exec- 
utive committees,  327. 

to  lay  claim  to  certain  property,  330. 

to  pay  over  bequests  to  executive  com- 
mittees, 331. 

by-laws  for,  332. 

reports  of  the  board,  333. 

tenure  of  office,  333. 

treasurer  of  the  board,  334. 

expenses  of  the  board,  3:54. 

quorum  of  the  board,  335. 

president  of  the  board  ex  officio  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Assembly,  335. 

members  of  the  board  have  the  privi- 
leges of  the  floor,  335. 


Index. 


551 


Trustees — 

list  of  officei-s  of,  ")31. 
Tiiastees  of  the  Committee  of  Publicatiou, 

27(5,  277. 
Tuskaloosa  Institute,  origin  of,  289. 

agency  for,  241. 

salary  for  secretary  of,  241. 

commended,  241 

statistical  column  for,  242. 

incompetent  students,  242. 

change   in   financial   management  of, 
242. 

progiess  and  history  of,  248. 
Union  Theological  Seminary,   Assembly 
assumes  review  and  control  of,  284. 

opening  and  closing  day  of,  23.">. 

financial  condition  of,  28.">-238. 

gift  of  C.  H.  McCormick  to,  285. 

legal  title  of,  237. 

origin  of,  288. 

faculty,     and    faculty    changes,     237, 
288! 
Unitarian  baptism,  348. 
United  Synod  of  the  South  unites  with 
the  Assembly,  4()(i. 

terms  of  the  union,  4(12. 

history  of.  404. 


Unity,  reply  to  Episcopal  bishops  on,  438. 

TTuiversity,  scheme  for  a  Southern  Pres- 
bj-terian,  210,  211. 

Vacant  pulpits,  inviting  Northern  minis- 
ters into,  437. 

Visitation   of  churches  by  Presbyteries, 
1.52. 

Waldensian  churches,  aid  for,  48."). 

Week  of  prayer,  210. 

Westminster    di^^nes,    sketch  of,    to  be 
added  to  Book  of  Church  Order,  17. 

Wilson,  Rev    J.   Leighton,   D.  D.,    113, 
114,  147. 

Women,  as  preachers,  81. 
as  missionaries,  !)8. 

Women's  Missionary  Societies,  !t8. 

Woodrow,  Rev.  James,  112. 

Workman,  Wm. ,  legacy  of,  for  evangel- 
istic work  in  Kentucky,  1.54. 

Worship,  public,  attendance  of  children 
upon,  294. 

Year,  ecclesiastical,  f or  Sustentation,  142. 
for  Education,  207. 
for  Publication,  27:5. 
uniform,  ;>12. 

Y.  M    C.  A.,  437. 

Youth,  day  of  prayer  for,  208,  209. 


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